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Ask HN: Is anyone using Linux on the 2020 Thinkpad X1 Fold?

29 points by textread 6y ago

How good is the pen input, display management when in different folding angles..etc

speedgoose 6y ago
If you are fine with the idea, some are not, I would recommend using Windows and WSL2.
- textread 6y ago
  I think this would be a compromise I am not willing to make
  - senorsmile 6y ago
    I'm in the same camp. If you get it working well with any distro, please post to r/thinkpad with details.
pacamara619 6y ago
Check out the archwiki for information about what hardware works. I assumed you mean the Gen 8 X1: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Lenovo_ThinkPad_X1_Carbon_(Gen_8) https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Lenovo_ThinkPad_X1_Carb... You can find a lot of other laptops there and see what works in what way.
- anuragsoni 6y ago
  The X1 fold is a different device [1]. Its the first foldable in the thinkpad line. [1] https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-x1/X1-Fold-G1/p/22TP2X1X1F1 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-x1/X1...
  - CarelessExpert 6y ago
    Oh dang it's out! Honestly, nothing about this device actually makes sense for me. Typing would probably be a nightmare on the thing even with the (extra) hardware keyboard overlay. I'll bet getting Linux going on it would be basically impossible due to the bleeding edge, proprietary hardware. Compared to my X1 it's fairly low power. Limited to 8GB of memory. Only okay battery life. Fairly sure it's thicker than my X1. And yet... for reasons I can't explain... I kinda want one.
    - textread 6y ago
      I would use an external mechanical keyboard when at desk. I am mainly drawn to having a decent size portable monitor. Maybe you kinda want one due the large monitor? Or is it the pen input that makes you drawn to it?
ssivark 6y ago
Try querying/checking on the relevant subreddits, especially /r/thinkpad.
- textread 6y ago
  Thank you! I will put in a query in those thinkpad rabbit holes
brudgers 6y ago
Have you tried booting into Ubuntu from a USB stick?

29 points by textread 6y ago

How good is the pen input, display management when in different folding angles..etc

speedgoose 6y ago

If you are fine with the idea, some are not, I would recommend using Windows and WSL2.

textread 6y ago
I think this would be a compromise I am not willing to make
- senorsmile 6y ago
  I'm in the same camp. If you get it working well with any distro, please post to r/thinkpad with details.

pacamara619 6y ago

Check out the archwiki for information about what hardware works. I assumed you mean the Gen 8 X1: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Lenovo_ThinkPad_X1_Carbon_(Gen_8) https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Lenovo_ThinkPad_X1_Carb... You can find a lot of other laptops there and see what works in what way.

anuragsoni 6y ago
The X1 fold is a different device [1]. Its the first foldable in the thinkpad line. [1] https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-x1/X1-Fold-G1/p/22TP2X1X1F1 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-x1/X1...
- CarelessExpert 6y ago
  Oh dang it's out! Honestly, nothing about this device actually makes sense for me. Typing would probably be a nightmare on the thing even with the (extra) hardware keyboard overlay. I'll bet getting Linux going on it would be basically impossible due to the bleeding edge, proprietary hardware. Compared to my X1 it's fairly low power. Limited to 8GB of memory. Only okay battery life. Fairly sure it's thicker than my X1. And yet... for reasons I can't explain... I kinda want one.
  - textread 6y ago
    I would use an external mechanical keyboard when at desk. I am mainly drawn to having a decent size portable monitor. Maybe you kinda want one due the large monitor? Or is it the pen input that makes you drawn to it?

ssivark 6y ago

Try querying/checking on the relevant subreddits, especially /r/thinkpad.

textread 6y ago
Thank you! I will put in a query in those thinkpad rabbit holes

brudgers 6y ago

Have you tried booting into Ubuntu from a USB stick?