5 reasons why linux users love thinkpads 1. it works well on linux 0:51 2. it is repairable 2:54 3. it is cheap 3:29 4. the keyboard is like nothing else 4:07 5. durability 5:39

In Chinese community, it's a known fact that Lenovo engineers use Linux themselves, specifically Fedora

Notebook seller told me a very interesting thing, when somebody is choosing a notebook, you can never convince them to buy a thinkpad, but if person used thinkpad once, they will only buy a thinkpad and they will specifically come to you to buy a thinkpad and I feel like this is a sect. I am 16 yo and several days ago I bought my first notebook (thinkpad t495s). I was choosing very carefully and this machine is a very good one, I like it.

"Lenovo doesn't treat you like a kid, it lets you touch it" - Mashed 2023 3:25 is the timestamp

I just want to say, this channel is not too big but your videos about GNU/Linux are probably some of the greatest and most interesting I have seen by far. Keep it up man, amazing work.

I like how you always have a neofetch opened in all of your videos lol

I've had a couple of HP laptops and I didn't quite realise how bad they were until I got a Thinkpad. The HPs were so cheaply built, things were always going wrong, difficult to repair, about 30 screws to just change the keyboard, etc. I recently got an L15 and absolutely love it. The new ones may not be as repairable as the old T480s but I've seen videos on how to repair the L15 and it doesn't look too bad. Just cannot beat the anti-glare screen. I'll never have a glossy display ever again.

absoltutely agree on the keyboards! a friend asked me for a laptop recommendation a few years ago. I suggested a thinkpad and when she got it she texted me to say the keyboard makes her feel like she's using a real laptop for the first time! it's that good.

Thinkpads are sturdy companion ! In my professional live I had a bunch of thinkpad (from L-440 to a L-15 Gen1). One of the best thing across Thinkpad serie is also the keyboard. And yes the Linux compatibility is second to none ! Actually, my professional L-15 is a huge asset to my work : i can bring it everywhere (working in a big warehouse) : near automats, in patch-panels room, to access AD everywhere, troubleshoot issues on the go... Never disappointed. I even prefer it to my previous Elitebook :D Good video, keep on the good job !

You make really great & interesting videos, I'm glad I found your channel even though it's not that big yet, keep up the good work! 😊 As for the topic of the video, a friend of mine gifted me a used Dell laptop from 2018 and I guess I got quite lucky, everything works perfectly on Linux. Even the Arch installation with WLan wasn't problem at all. So I'm quite happy, especially because I didn't even know that such issues exist but hey, even if there would have been issues you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth ;D I'm curious if Linux would be usable at all on these new multi foldable "laptops" that were presented at CES a few weeks ago within a reasonable amount of time after their release as those look quite interesting for coding on the go 🤔

the trackpoint and the support you get from the community as a normie are also life changing. I got my first ever thinkpad a little over half a year ago just because I needed one for school and the chromebook my school provided kept giving me problems and the little issues I have come across with this one I have fixed in a matter of hours just by asking.

"i fell for the meme" same. But my elecronic engeneer friend now respects me xD

I want to get an older thinkpad that i can flash LMDE on and play movies through HDMI to TV set in decent quality x265 rips, which one would you recommend ? Thanks.

thx for giving me hope, yesterday i bought a ( second or third-hand ) Thinkpad, win 7 is on it. Tried to install ubuntu, didn't work after many attempts, but i will install win xp, then maybe dual booting linux, because of erxpirience ten years before i ve seen that it works very well. Will let you know if i reach my destination.

Thank you for this video, seriously having an old outdated thinkpad is def a right of passage of any linux user

Hey folk this may be a dumb question but im new to Linux is it possible and a good choice to run linux on the new Microsoft studio laptop 2?

i7 7700 and gtx 1060, lol. What prebuilt pc did you buy? You could buy ryzen 5 1600 and rx 580 8 gb at that time

g'day mate. I decide to buy a Lenovo, but the connection.. is WiFi alright to use? I don't have enabled ethernet port at home

I am running pop os on my hp laptop and it works really great out of the box.

I have two, a librebooted X200 running Linux Mint Xfce and an X220 on Windows which I use for work. I have had both from new. Both work brilliantly and I can see no reason to update for what I need. The x200 l use for my personal use. The 220 Is purely for work and it gets a lot of use in my job and has to take a knock ( I work on and Survey Marine Vessels). Simply would not consider anything else.

Wow... I started getting into Linux a bit and then I suddenly got the urge to buy a laptop to put Linux on (it was a ThinkPad T480s). Did it, bought another one T460 from the US 6 months later cause it was like 55€ (the shipping and VAT cost more) and it just works it's amazing. I just automatically opted for Thinkpads, didn't even know why, it seemed appropriate

yup libreboot runs on the x200. Fair to note though you have to flash the bios with hardware. But the legendary x61 is the last software flashable libreboot computer now to my knowledge.

Hey Mashed, do a video setting up a T500 with its' perfect Linux match. Especially show the OS Keyboard choice.

what gnu/linux do you use on your thinkpads? what do you recommend for my t480? on my desktop I use opensuse tumbleweed with gnome

i think the framework laptop is gonna replace the thinkpad as the community favorite laptop within the next few years

I bought the latest hp pavillion after release and installed fedora on it straightaway even after getting ms office for free for lifetime and also windows 11. It worked straightaway smooth right out of the box except for the fingerprint sensor.

I enjoyed your candid video. FYI Im using my T430S with pop!OS. I decided on pop because of the wifi works great on this older Thinkpad. I think the only reason I would go with like a new X1 carbon is for it being the best in my opinion. But this thing will not die. Thanks again sir. BTW I had installed Linux Mint but it didnt like my wifi. t would detect but would not connect. I gave up and went with pop!

I noticed that years before using Linux myself: everyone slightly suggesting the switch from Windows to Linux mentioned having a ThinkPad at some point...

Great video, already subscribed. Huges from Brasil!

Generally when I'm looking for a new laptop, the keyboard is one of the things I look at as well. Although when I'm home, I use an external keyboard for it. The couple of newer laptops I have run Linux fine (an Acer Nitro 5 and an ASUS Vivo touch - both 11th Gen Intels). All the hardware works fine with Linux. The NVidia in the Acer can be a little bit of a pain, but Fedora generally runs fine on it with the propitiatory Nvidia drivers. The one big thing I've found with newer laptops (other than the Thinkpads) is it's very hit and miss whether you can upgrade anything but the HDD/SSD. Most seem to come with soldered memory and only one SSD slot (like the Vivobook). That's why I ended up buying the Acer Nitro.

I am planning to buy a second hand T490 with touchscreen as a working laptop. Is anyone have any experience with that modell? I am planning to use it with Ubuntu LTS.

1-Dirt Cheap 2-Linux users love to see an destroyed/old machine running linux like its on a spaceship The End

Hey, What in your opinion is the best laptop that would be good for linux and video editing? Bit of a noob question but as I am aware, linux can't make use of GPU's as it can't use Invidia? Thanks!

Are the thinkpad edge good? I have it thinking of using Linux and gonna upgrade ssd and ram I want to use it for light games

That keyboard sure is nice. Surely I'll will fall for the meme as well and get a ThinkPad down the road. 🤔

The old ones had the best keyboard and build quality

off topic question, while my google fu skills are indeed bad, Im wondering how you got nvidia drivers to work with the latest kernel.

My T430 still runs like a champ with a custom minimal KDE install I did on Arch. Friends and family are surprised my 11 year old laptop runs better than their more modern laptops.

I have never considered a Lenovo since the spyware incident. What’s to stop them from including a rootkit on a bios level? It’s probably ok these days but how can you be sure?

So, i actually have an IdeaPad Flex 5. Awesome machine, runs Arch like crazy, the only issue is that the damn ram isnt upgradable. Everything works out of box, once you make sure the sof-firmware package is installed.

I thought about buying thinkpad t470 is it good?

kinda sucks that after a while the palm rest and other parts of the laptop start to get shiny from use overtime and theres no way to get that sleek matte finish back unless you have to replace it with a brand new part or something like that

Holy shit! You into thinkpads too!!! 🤜🏻🤛🏻

I love my ThinkPad T470p running ubuntu

I just got an E15 Ryzen 5 4500U and it's performing really well, installed Arch Linux with Hyprland and put my desktop configs on it. Really good battery life so far and I got it for $200

I’ve run Linux for over 15 years and everything you’ve said is right: that damn keyboard is GREAT! If you like the COMMAND LINE, typing, coding, etc. you MUST have a Thinkpad. It works PERFECTLY. My favorite is the IBM Thinkpad 240. I’ve been using Macbook Airs lately, as I got tired of ‘tinkering’ with the Linux OS BUT, with Macs, I still have access to a command line: UNIX is build in! I have the best of both worlds: a computer that ‘just works’ and access to the CLI. I’m happy (for now!)…

I’ve been using Linux on laptops ever since 2007. The laptop I bought back then came with Windows Vista……yeah it sucked! Linus fixed that and I used it for 14 years, just replaced it with a free to me Thinkpad T520, running Linux Mint!

I cant get "VIRTUALBOX" installed on my Thinkpad. It says 'system needs to be modified'. ---my Linux Fundamental class requires i install VIRTUALBOX How ??

Does that go for other Lenovo laptops, like Ideapads and others, or just Thinkpads in particular?

Dude you nailed it. Been using thinkpads with linux for years for exactly those reasons.

I love my P53 ThinkPad with a 4k touchscreen. I went with Windows 11 pro due to Linux lacking support for ARCGIS. But I have an assortment of Linux OS on hyperv.

I simply spent 100 euros for a refurbished T450 plus 60 euros for SSD and additional RAM (16 GB total). Currently on Mint Cinnamon and everything works as it should and snappy.

I love Linux and have used it for decades. I have an old Thinkpad whose original owner left for dead that got a second life as a Linux machine. I recently treated myself to a top of the line Framework 16, a machine made for Linux. I've never seen such a smooth install and it runs at warp 7. I have to say, though, that the Lenovo keyboard wins hands down.

I use a Thinkpad x280 with Linux mint and I have to say, it works amazing! The only problem I ran into was the fingerprint not working

I'd like to get a ThinkPad to run Linux on to continue learning coding whilst I'm not at home (I travel a lot for work). What sort of ThinkPad should i consider getting for this purpose?

I got a few months ago a Thinkpad x200 for a song and it works just fine. Xubuntu, 4gb of ram and a ssd just do the trick.

I just bought a Lenovo legion and Linux has been great. Speakers don’t work but everything else have been a dream. Dual drive dual boot ftw.

When you said normies used mac , I subscribed

I love Thinkpads too. Best laptops out there.

I haven't had any experience with Thinkpads but I used an Ideapad for 7+ years (z50-70). It is in a deep sleep now (screen malfunction) 😛. The one I'm currently using is an Asus Laptop, and yes, I'm on Linux (Ubuntu for work, Fedora for playing).

I love my ThinkPad T430 with Kubuntu.

Main reason i got mine (T480s) was because it was actually fairly small and light. (not like those beefed up airplane takeoff sounding gaming laptops) I knew it wasnt gonna be some super performant beast with the latest hardware but that was honestly fine. I also really like how durable this thing is and it just makes it so nice not having to worry about it breaking because the engineers couldnt give a f##k about some random shit breaking in 1 week (true story).

I have never had a problem with any Linux distro on my Lenovo T430 - t5 - 8gb love it

Best thinkpad model?

told you i let you know, now installed linux mint, it runs very good on my think pad. btw i have the x40 from 2002 or something, bought it for 15 dollars without batery. 🙃

Newer thinkpads are getting worse but still older thinkpads are so good also hardware wise

idk watching teardowns of recent thinkpads they dont sem that much better. i mean as long as you get something without soldered ram like its fine like idk i did my homework, picked up a 2022 victus 15 cuz it had upgradable ram, a half decent dedicated gpu (3050 ti mobile), feels pretty good it is plastic and may break eventually like i had an inspiron that crumbled to bits but the hinge is decent quality my biggest issue in linux has been getting sleep working. it bugs tf out when i wake it up. might be a duel booting thing, i have a small windows partion just in case some class im in needs windows software, might nuke it havent decided yet. it has a mediatek wifi card which means it jsut werks, never had a wifi 6 network to test that on but it gets decent speeds on wifi 5 networks, the gb ethernet jsut works, the usb just works, the display just works. freesync on the internal display is kinda broken unfortunately because its connected to the integrated gpu without a mux switch and idk if there even support for freesync when passing through video like that. one of the biggest non gaming benefits of a gaming laptop is the display. having a 120hz display for scrolling through stuff just feels good. not sure if any thinkpads have high refreshrate displays

I recently got used Thknpad T490 It has some dissapointments, touch screen that I don't need, and lack of sim internet. Tried installing Arch, Installed EndeavourOS, works fine, but too often I'm hitting RAM max capacity. One fan is kinda not enough I'm afraid. With keyboard i dissagree. I see that a lot of people love those keyboards, I absolutely hate Fn placement, I put my Keychron K3P on top and i forget about that keyboard below.

Hahah, you're right! I've been using Thinkpads with Linux since I was only 57 or 58, so long ago that mine had a floppy drive! And, they've been dead easy to own and use.

Mxlinux has good selection of wifi drivers in the repos (especially realtek).

I tried a IBM A20m keyboard, it's feels mecanic, like in the old good times

New viewers who like me came here because they wanted to hear what he has to say about "Why Linux users LOVE Thinkpads" can save time by reading this, because it really is all he had to say about it: 1) They are good, tend to work with Linux. 2) They are repairable. 3) They are cheap, especially used ones.

My first ThinkPad was Edge 15. I wanna either get a P50 or 2017 Anniversary.

The wi-fi card can be replaced on most laptops - at least the older ones. I do not even bother trying to make a not fully compatible card to run. Ebay is full of affordable wi-fi cards, which are usually way cheaper then my manhours messing with it. A distro with great hardware support is Linux Mint. I installed it on two or three Non-ThinkPad Laptops where I replaced the wi-fi card beforehand, and it worked right of the box. Mint improved the support for Fn functions and buttons over the years, and it works better then ever. Even the support for Nvidia GPUs improved a lot, but it's never 100% on any PC, I guess. What I want to say is that Linux runs on most Laptop as good as on a ThinkPad. This said, I am a ThinkPad fan, even though my P52 had in the beginning massive trackpad driver issues under Windows 10. It took Lenovo a few months to release a perfectly working driver. Other than that, it's a very reliable computer. One very interesting thing about ThinkPads is, that certain models are very popular in the Hackintosh scene. Unfortunately, this won't last forever, as Apple moves to Apple Silicon.

I would have swore I read thickpads on the title

I've had 5, X200T, X220, X250, X260 and a P53, the X260 is my current daily, but I want to get an X230 and do all the mods.

Think Marc, THINK !!

Not just Linux.....we're, or at least I am, a fan of them in the Hackintosh scene too! :D

i use arch on a macbook pro 2019 btw

As a Linux user for more than 15 years, Thinkpads have been my first choice, until the X1 I bought one year ago. From now on, I'll rely on Tuxedo and my older X270.

Wonder which distro this guys is running

Just got a T420 and it has been amazing. So much better then the macbook air I was running linux on. Oh and the keyboard is amazing too!

I've had my t480s for about 8 or 9 months now. I love it so much I think im gonna upgrade, mainly because of the soldered RAM. Probably gonna get a p50 because that shit can upgraded into space, and its got a dedicated GPU which will be useful. Soldered RAM is the worst human creation.

I'm so tempted to buy the ThinkPad T16 gen 1 with an AMD Ryzen 7 6850u, but the ram is soldered 😢

Generally I agree with you, but what hp did you mean? Not a great comparison thinkpad and hp, it should be thinkpad and elitebook, because if you compare a thinkpad with a consumer grade laptop such as pavilion or whatever, it is a bit misleading.

Well, I have lenovo laptop. But mine is IdeaPad, budget tier laptop. I use Linux Mint currently with Windows 11. I bought it as is thin and light. Sorry, i was thinking to buy Thinkpad but I feel like buying used products can be a problematic (for me though), like some issues without noticed

which ThinkPad do you recommend the most ?

yoo i got thinkpad x260 as my first ever laptop and it still going strong

"Lenovo...lets you touch it" -- Mashed, 2023

Someone have thinkpads recommendations?

I run linux on a mac... I've used Thinkpads as well and really like them. This video is old so you probably didn't know about Asahi Linux at the time you made it. Thinkpads are far easier to repair but, they have terrible battery life. Also, if you install Macports you have a full Unix system with all the trimmings. I do miss the keyboard on my Thinkpad. But the deciding point for me is battery life.

youtuber speaks: his picture: *waaaaavveeess*

0:38 bros head is tweaking 😭😭

I kid you not. I've had my used Costco Thinkpad since 2012.

I am just testing this ThinkPad keyboard.

It's crazy that people would like a laptop that does the job pretty well, is cheap, can be tweaked since it is YOUR property and has a nice durability... damn those crazy Linux users >:(

i use thinkpad x260 with arch linux on it and my window manager is dwm.

I also like, but X1 midel have sim card slot and i rly want this but price is like 2 gaming laptop, then i rly cant spend 3k $ for this :( im from Polsnd then price here is 12k pln.

The newone have a lot of issue and have to much soldered component. The aftersale support is crap unfortunately. Not a good deal anymore, it is a better plan to buy a specific Linux manufacturer who only make Linux computer (System 76, Slimbook, Star Labs...)

i have dell latitude 5490 its beast with arch linux