It's the year of Linux on the... ThinkPad as Lenovo extends out-of-the-box Ubuntu support to nearly 30 machines
(2020/09/23)
- Reference: 1600894928
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/09/23/ubuntu_lenovo_thinkpad_support/
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Lenovo is expanding pre-installed Linux support to more of its machines in a bid to court the sizable developer pound.
Available globally, punters will be able to order roughly 30 different models of PCs across the ThinkStation and ThinkPad lines that come with Ubuntu pre-installed.
All devices will come with the latest LTS version of Ubuntu – version 20.04 – with the exception of the semi-rugged ThinkPad L Series 2-in-1, which will use version 18:04. The first trickle of machines are available today, with the rollout expected to continue through 2021.
The release sees Lenovo join a small group of specialist vendors – notably including Dell – in selling computers directly to the open-source crowd. Previously, Loenovo had offered pre-loaded Ubuntu PCs to larger enterprise customers prepared to submit a customised bid. The move also puts Lenovo up against specialist Linux vendors like System76 and Entroware.
The full list of devices
ThinkPad T14 (Intel and AMD)
ThinkPad T14s (Intel and AMD)
ThinkPad T15p
ThinkPad T15
ThinkPad X13 (Intel and AMD)
ThinkPad X13 Yoga
ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8
ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5
ThinkPad L14
ThinkPad L15
ThinkPad P15s
ThinkPad P15v
ThinkPad P15
ThinkPad P17
ThinkPad P14s
ThinkPad P1 Gen 3
ThinkStation P340
ThinkStation P340 Tiny
ThinkStation P520c
ThinkStation P520
ThinkStation P720
ThinkStation P920
ThinkStation P620
Lenovo pitched the move as circumventing any potential hardware compatibility headaches as a result of escaping Microsoft's clutches. While that's true, Lenovo has traditionally had a good reputation for out-of-the-box driver support with most major Linux distributions.
"Our goal is to remove the complexity," said Igor Bergman, PCSD Software & Cloud veep at Lenovo. "This is why we have taken this next step to offer Linux-ready devices right out of the box."
Predictably, the move was applauded by Ubuntu developer Canonical, with the firm's engineering veep, Dean Henrichsmeyer, cheering Lenovo's "commitment to open source and the Linux community".
"With data scientists and developers increasingly needing Linux for emerging workloads, this collaboration enables enterprises to equip their employees with the assurance of long-term stability, added security and simplified IT management," Henrichsmeyer said.
It's not immediately known whether Lenovo will offer a discount to its future Linux customers. Windows licences, after all, represent a not-insignificant chunk of any PC's retail price. We've asked, and will update the story if we hear back. ®
Get our [1]Tech Resources
[1] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Available globally, punters will be able to order roughly 30 different models of PCs across the ThinkStation and ThinkPad lines that come with Ubuntu pre-installed.
All devices will come with the latest LTS version of Ubuntu – version 20.04 – with the exception of the semi-rugged ThinkPad L Series 2-in-1, which will use version 18:04. The first trickle of machines are available today, with the rollout expected to continue through 2021.
The release sees Lenovo join a small group of specialist vendors – notably including Dell – in selling computers directly to the open-source crowd. Previously, Loenovo had offered pre-loaded Ubuntu PCs to larger enterprise customers prepared to submit a customised bid. The move also puts Lenovo up against specialist Linux vendors like System76 and Entroware.
The full list of devices
ThinkPad T14 (Intel and AMD)
ThinkPad T14s (Intel and AMD)
ThinkPad T15p
ThinkPad T15
ThinkPad X13 (Intel and AMD)
ThinkPad X13 Yoga
ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8
ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5
ThinkPad L14
ThinkPad L15
ThinkPad P15s
ThinkPad P15v
ThinkPad P15
ThinkPad P17
ThinkPad P14s
ThinkPad P1 Gen 3
ThinkStation P340
ThinkStation P340 Tiny
ThinkStation P520c
ThinkStation P520
ThinkStation P720
ThinkStation P920
ThinkStation P620
Lenovo pitched the move as circumventing any potential hardware compatibility headaches as a result of escaping Microsoft's clutches. While that's true, Lenovo has traditionally had a good reputation for out-of-the-box driver support with most major Linux distributions.
"Our goal is to remove the complexity," said Igor Bergman, PCSD Software & Cloud veep at Lenovo. "This is why we have taken this next step to offer Linux-ready devices right out of the box."
Predictably, the move was applauded by Ubuntu developer Canonical, with the firm's engineering veep, Dean Henrichsmeyer, cheering Lenovo's "commitment to open source and the Linux community".
"With data scientists and developers increasingly needing Linux for emerging workloads, this collaboration enables enterprises to equip their employees with the assurance of long-term stability, added security and simplified IT management," Henrichsmeyer said.
It's not immediately known whether Lenovo will offer a discount to its future Linux customers. Windows licences, after all, represent a not-insignificant chunk of any PC's retail price. We've asked, and will update the story if we hear back. ®
Get our [1]Tech Resources
[1] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
before thinkpads
sad_loser
It was always the Toshiba Portege that was my go-to for laptops ans they always played nicely with linux.
Damn fine machines as well - had two 7200 series with decent screens, keyboards and formidable magnesium alloy chassis.
Chris Miller
Windows licences, after all, represent a not-insignificant chunk of any PC's retail price.
Do you think Lenovo (or any other manufacturer) pay list price for their tens of millions of licences each year? I'd be surprised if it's in double digits of £ per unit.
Ryan 7
"18:04"
"Loenovo"
Short of proofreaders at Vulture Towers? :D
As in the text
Linux on Thinkpads never was much of a problem (except mine, bloody own fault). They source non exotic parts, and usually don't cut corners (yeah, mine excepted, a cheapskate bought it). Sort of certifying it for Linux (or shipping it with Linux installed) is another step up though.
Well done!