Dell XPS 15 9560: Ubuntu 17.10 + Nvidia 384.90 + Nvidia Prime (No Bumblebee) https://medium.com/@tom.suffern.wright/better-battery-life-on-ubuntu-17-10-4588b7f72def

gistfile1.txt

# perform a fresh install of Ubuntu 17.10

# upgrade the kernel to v4.13.10
mkdir ~/kernel-v4.13.10
cd ~/kernel-v4.13.10
wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.13.10/linux-headers-4.13.10-041310_4.13.10-041310.201710270531_all.deb
wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.13.10/linux-headers-4.13.10-041310-generic_4.13.10-041310.201710270531_amd64.deb
wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.13.10/linux-image-4.13.10-041310-generic_4.13.10-041310.201710270531_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i *.deb

# configure required kernel parameter (https://github.com/Bumblebee-Project/bbswitch/issues/148)
sudo nano /etc/default/grub
# change this parameter to: GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_rev_override=1"
# rebuild the bootloader
sudo update-grub2

# install and configure TLP and PowerTOP
sudo apt-get install tlp tlp-rdw powertop
sudo tlp start
# PowerTOP should be reporting a battery discharge rate of ~8-12W
sudo powertop --auto-tune     # auto-tune parameter will configure some recommended power-saving tweaks

# install Nvidia 384.90 drivers
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt-get install nvidia-384=384.90-0ubuntu3.17.10.1
sudo apt-mark hold nvidia-384   # stop this package being auto-updated during package resolution

# test that the nvidia drivers are working: nvidia-smi should output some GPU stats
nvidia-smi

# PowerTOP should now be reporting a battery discharge rate of ~15-20W
sudo powertop

# install Nvidia Prime: so we can disable the dedicated GPU when we don't want it
sudo apt-get install nvidia-prime
sudo prime-select intel

# REBOOT: when we boot back in, GPU should now be disabled

sudo powertop   # PowerTOP should be reporting ~8-12W dischargehe 
nvidia-smi      # nvidia-smi should complain about missing drivers

sudo prime-select nvidia  # switch back to dedicated graphics
sudo powertop   # PowerTOP should start reporting ~15-20W discharge
nvidia-smi      # nvidia-smi should report GPU info

sudo prime-select intel   # the GOTCHA: prime-select intel doesn't re-disable the graphics card
sudo powertop   # PowerTOP still reporting ~15-20W discharge
nvidia-smi      # nvidia-smi correctly complaining about missing drivers