Re: Linux on a T520

On 08/26/2011 09:07 AM, Dennis Kibbe wrote:
> On Thu, 2011-08-25 at 18:53 -0700, KevinO wrote:
>> Anybody running Linux on a Lenovo Thinkpad T520?
>>
>> I'm thinking of ordering one while they're on sale and then turning it into a
>> dual-boot machine. (pre-installed with Windows 7 Pro 64 bit)
>>
>> What I'm mostly wondering about is hardware compatibility and whether a
>> bleeding-edge distribution like Fedora or the latest Ubuntu would be required to
>> get all of the hardware to work. (I'd prefer something a little more stable like
>> CentOS, for example)
>>
>> All comments are very appreciated.
>>
>> TIA
>
> If you can get your hands on one try running the CentOS LiveCD or create
> a liveUSB.
I wish I could get my hands on one to test this, but it is unlikely to happen
with my schedule before the sale ends.

> The issues you are likely to run into are the Wifi card,
> ThinkPad APCI and the Ethernet port. Most likely only the wifi will
> require some extra work.
I read online that it's a good idea to get the Intel WiFi, rather than the
default offering.

Make sure you try suspend and hibernation to be
> sure CentOS can return from those states.
>
Actually, I'll willing to live without those, if necessary.

> CentOS uses an older kernel than, say, Fedora, so you might find Fedora
> handles things better then CentOS. It does on my X100e.
>
Noted, Thanks.

> Try posting on the CentOS forum or IRC channel to see if anyone is
> running CentOS on that model. Also I notice that Emperor Linux sells
> that model so you might look on their site for more information.

I studied the T520 on the Emperor Linux site yesterday, and that helped me to
narrow down my choices. I also saw that Emperor wants $2210 for their T520,
configured with a Quad-core i7 (i7-2630QM), 8GB, DVD multi-burner, 15.6 inch
1600x900 display, NVIDIA Quadro NVS 4200M, webcam, 500GB 7200rpm HD, BlueTooth
and Intel WiFi.

I went ahead and bought it directly from Lenovo, configured as above except with
Win 7 Pro pre-installed, for $1300. I got a little over $100 extra off because of
the educational discount.

Thanks!
--
KevinO
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