Compatible Laptop for Linux Mint 22 (Wilma)

[doctormann]

It's time to replace my aging Lenovo IdeaPad laptop - been good for 10 years but is failing now.

i like the idea of a Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen5 but I'm having a problem finding out if this is compatible with Mint 22, 'Wilma".  Mint 22 is based on Ubuntu 24.04.  I've checked the Ubuntu compatibility list but the result was a bit vague, indicating that only OEM pre-installed 24.04 may work properly.

So, anyone out there using this OS with a T14?  Alternatively, any recommendations for a compatible laptop?

Thanks.

[BigStar]

Dells have a good rep w/ Linux.

 

As for your proposed Thinkpad, you might post an inquiry on reddit:

 

https://reddit.com/r/thinkpad/

 

There's one thread here w/ redditors reporting mixed results. One achieved perfect success, another has a workaround, another hasn't got WiFi6 working. If necessary you could add an adapter.

 

https://reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/1cj4jjw/linux_compatibility_with_t14_5th_gen/

 

That is merely a quick example. I'm not going to take time to research this in depth. You may find a more recent thread. 

 

Linux (Ubuntu) specific manual for the T14 G5/P14s G5/T16 G3:

https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/t14g5_t16g3_p14sg5_linux_ug.pdf

 

 

[doctormann]

Thanks for that.

I know that Dell are supposed to be OK with Linux so something like an XPS15 is a possibility that I'll look at.

Lenovo, at one time, used to be good for Linux but, allegedly, their IdeaPads now all come with Windows pre-installed and it is, allegedly, not possible to turn off secure boot so installing Linux may be impossible without flashing the BIOS/UEFI - if there is an updated BIOS available.

Lenovo ThinkPads are probably mostly OK - certainly with Ubuntu so probably also with Mint but there doesn't seem to be any guarantee of full compatibility.  There is a warning on the Lenovo website that pre-installed versions of Ubuntu may not work perfectly, or at all.  Sounds worrying!

The Lenovo site has a chat facility and I've used that - but still no definitive answer.

I'll take a look at the links that you provided.  Thanks again.

[pattayasan]

ChatGPT says that laptop will support Linux Mint.

[doctormann]

44 minutes ago, pattayasan said:

ChatGPT says that laptop will support Linux Mint.

I tried ChatGPT - told me 'maybe'.

I think it should be OK so I'll probably risk it.  Now, just need to visit the money tree.

 

[BigStar]

4 hours ago, doctormann said:

allegedly, not possible to turn off secure boot so installing Linux may be impossible without flashing the BIOS/UEFI

 

UEFI/Secure boot's no problem for Ubuntu, Mint, and other major distros.

 

It seems the only problems you may encounter are the wifi and suspension when you close the lid, the latter w/ a workaround IF it happens. The wifi will surely have a general fix out in some later update. One user reported NO problems.

 

Mint support forums are quite good, though some of the gurus can be a bit condescending, hardly unusual in the Linux world.

 

Edited Friday at 12:19 PM by BigStar

[doctormann]

11 hours ago, BigStar said:

 

UEFI/Secure boot's no problem for Ubuntu, Mint, and other major distros.

 

It seems the only problems you may encounter are the wifi and suspension when you close the lid, the latter w/ a workaround IF it happens. The wifi will surely have a general fix out in some later update. One user reported NO problems.

 

Mint support forums are quite good, though some of the gurus can be a bit condescending, hardly unusual in the Linux world.

 

 

Thanks.

[BigStar]

Please let us know how it all goes.

[doctormann]

1 hour ago, BigStar said:

Please let us know how it all goes.

I will but don't hold your breath.  New laptop is going to be a birthday present - not until late next month.  Watch this space.

[FlorC]

I have a Dell xps , but you can forget about gestures on touchpad and screen like in windows. 

In linux only basic gestures and if you want to change the cooling like in mydell or dell power manager 

you have to go in the bios to set it.

Too many downsides using linux mint. Newest computers are less supported too in linux.

Forget about the easy taskmanager of W11 , no looking at the status of your gpu's.

So glad to reinstall W11. But at least in linux there is no mandatory Dell audio enhancer cr_p.