ThinkPad T14 Gen 7: These features work with Linux - and these features do not

[Redaktion]

We recently reviewed the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 7. As always, we tested it with Windows, but for this device, we also decided to do a quick compatibility test with Linux.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/ThinkPad-T14-Gen-7-These-features-work-with-Linux-and-these-features-do-not.1308644.0.html

[CCC]

Linux Mint is a stable version that runs on most equipment, however the newest equipment doesn't always have drivers for the most stable distributions.  The Linux Mint crew is working on providing a method to get the most recent drivers.  You should try a different distribution that touts support for new equipment.  I have been a Linux Mint user and fan for many years and I have never had a problem having everything working on equipment that is a few years old or much older meaning >18 years old.

[Memeecadze]

Linux mint-shmint means NOTHING.
There are a ton of Linux based distribution, who cares.
What users really care about is a Kernel version where the drivers live.

Please, delegate making Linux reviews to someone with enough competence.

This article has a value of below zero.

[Memeecadze]

This laptop is new, hence test it with latest Fedora or Arch those have the newest Kernel.

[Al Bumen]

I use Debian Linux, which is very popular. Please test it with that.

Fedora is also very good, it's more modern looking.

As for Windows, who'd be crazy enough to use that? Given the AI slop, ads, and spyware making screenshots all the time, Windows is radioactive. It's like something that escaped from Chernobyl.

[Logoffon]

As for Windows, who'd be crazy enough to use that? Given the AI slop, ads, and spyware making screenshots all the time, Windows is radioactive. It's like something that escaped from Chernobyl.

You're saying this as if Linux distros don't come with "AI Slop" and "spyware"

[Tedd_93]

Care to offer an example?

[timattrn]

Lenovo does support ThinkPads, but they assume you running Fedora with latest kernel,.or Ubuntu with the OEM kernel. Not such an old kernel as tested here. Also, when a new ThinkPads gets HWE certification, then it is ready. This takes two to three months typically.

[Mesa driver testing]

Probably a huge undertaking but have to start somewhere.

I'd like to see testing on open source Mesa drivers in games and see how it compares to closed sourced drivers on Linux and windows.

Kind of like what phoronix does.

Maybe in a few games, like Cyberpunk to start with since it has a built in benchmark.

On arm laptops I would like to see fex emu translation layer being tested too. Maybe after the n1x launches. :)

People are super interested, as you see quite a few videos on YouTube running such tests.

[OompaLoompa]

Linux mint-shmint means NOTHING.
There are a ton of Linux based distribution, who cares.
What users really care about is a Kernel version where the drivers live.

Please, delegate making Linux reviews to someone with enough competence.

This article has a value of below zero.

Yes, it is true that most Linux users are interested if their favorite distribution will work on that hardware.
However, I think that Mint is a great middle ground:
- leveraging the huge Debian ecosystem + Ubuntu non-OSS drivers,
- less telemetry than Ubuntu,
- saner package manager than Ubuntu,
- easier to use for newcomers than Debian.

Experienced users who understand the kernel bug reports or who prefer a specific distribution for a specific reason will know where to look.

It would be nice to read if the writer could go deeper and if some solution or workaround was found in the end, but I personally wish I could see more articles like this.

[aLinuxUser]

With such an old kernel, there is no surprise it would be missing drivers. I fail to see why people fall for such stupid distros like Mint or Po(o)pOS. If you actually care about reviewing hardware on Linux you should at least use a distro with a somewhat recent kernel such as Arch, Fedora or, hell, even a recent Ubuntu release (such as 26.04 which has just gotten released).

Stop recommending Mint or PopOS for "new" or "inexperienced" users. It creates far more problems that it solves. If you want a solid Linux experience, stick with distros that are extensively tested and have a wide base of users, testers, and support groups, such as Arch, Debian or Fedora. Maybe Ubuntu if you are really desperate and can't install two or three packages to enable third party proprietary media codecs or Nvidia drivers.

As another user noted, the value of this article is below zero.