Hello, I recently acquired a Thinkpad T400 with Libreboot and Trisquel 7 installed. It also has an Atheros AR5B95 wireless card. Basically my question is this: I want to have this machine be fully dedicated to Linux and FSF approved software. In general, I would like to add any additional hardware to it that will help it run better, and be as secure as possible. I know this is a wide question, but what are some hardware options I can add to it to help it be more secure and just plain run better and be fully dedicated to FSF and Linux? Go easy on me, I'm new to Linux so I apologize if this question is too general. Any help is appreciated.

I think that's as near to a fully free & FSF approved setup as you can get. The FSF have lists of all approved hardware bits & pieces somewhere on their website, you can check there to be certain.

The FSF will disapprove of you saying Linux rather than GNU/Linux

What does "run better" mean? Faster? Maybe adding RAM can help, if the board can take it (I don't think there are freedom issues related to type of RAM). Or if "better" means more secure, then probably removing hardware (e.g., the wireless card) would be most effective.

1 members found this post helpful.

Welcome to supportively friendly LQ Good hwd&distro!!!

Search keywords are the 'magic key' to www&tech

I got lucky when I tried DDG (vs Goo) of just: trisquel ar5b95
e.g. #4 in this: https://trisquel.info/en/forum/wifi-card-laptop
(I wondered if this wifi card model lacked drivers or needed non-free firmware etc: no, so it's 'good')

I also found this; which hwd options do you have? (Try: inxi -F)
(Where/how did you "acquire" it? $? Others might want this 'goodie'!!!)

Have a look at DW/trisquel ... I tried its CLI in VirtualBox & liked it.
(I'm a bit curious about: your personal focus/goal/reason for: Libre/FSF)

Here's a couple of my naive thoughts on security:
- Spend some time searching Threads Titled security in the Newbie or Security Forums
(on the LQsearch page, link at right, you can choose compacter 'Show Results as Threads' vs posts, and the keyword security in 'Titles Only')
- Linux is infinitely better than M$Win (for various deeply tech M$reasons Idk).
- IF your home internet box gives you a 'private' dhcp IP, like 192.168..
(usual case) then you are 'mostly' safe from evil getting in by itself,
- But this is the opposite of you downloading evil! (e.g. ppa long story or
clicking on evil site with JavaScript enabled: that can run programs as your id etc
which gets into advanced topics like sandbox, ~/.browserconfig etc which Idk well).

I'll stop rambling here Best wishes!!! Feel free to ask...
p.s. to earn a LQslackerPHD, get VBox running ConnochaetOS guest

Hardware wise, there's not much you can upgrade in a laptop; memory and processor mainly. Bigger disk? Motherboards are usually particular to the model - the physical shape to clear disk bays, allow memory access, wifi and bluetooth daughter board installation, cooling pipes and fins, etc so you're stuck with whats fitted.

Check Lenovo's website here for the specs.

Good luck and Play Bonny!

This is a useful site for Thinkpad information
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkWiki
The T400 can have up to 8GB of Ram and be fitted with the Advanced Dock (if you can find one).