[SOLVED] Will a Lenovo T61 work with Linux Mint?

SoMir · 11-09-2020, 10:13 AM

I've been looking around the internet a lot. I want to buy a cheap, old, used laptop to try Linux before putting it on my main machine. Some people say that thinkpads work just fine with Linux, others have problems but everything is just so outdated that I can't find information. Will this kind of a T61 work:

Intel core 2 duo T7300 2x2.0Ghz
2 - 4 GB RAM
160 GB HDD

Is this worth buying?

DavidMcCann · 11-09-2020, 10:50 AM

If you want wifi, make sure the model you buy has it — not all did. I'd also prefer the Intel graphics to Nvidia, but that may be just my prejudice! Basically, I'd say this will work — it's a lot more up-to-date than my trusty Thinkpad X31. Get the Xfce version of Mint, or perhaps the Mate if you have 4GB.

A useful source of information is
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T61

hazel · 11-09-2020, 10:56 AM

Definitely Intel for both graphics and wifi. Nvidia graphics require you to download and install the proprietary driver for best results. And Broadcom wifi cards need extra firmware, although Mint provides this from their repository.

SoMir · 11-09-2020, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMcCann

If you want wifi, make sure the model you buy has it — not all did. I'd also prefer the Intel graphics to Nvidia, but that may be just my prejudice! Basically, I'd say this will work — it's a lot more up-to-date than my trusty Thinkpad X31. Get the Xfce version of Mint, or perhaps the Mate if you have 4GB.

A useful source of information is
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T61

Thanks for your reply. This version has both intel cpu and gpu, and has wireless. Mint xfce should work on approx. 3 gb of ram, right? Also, will a usb mouse work, just a basic one?

SoMir · 11-09-2020, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazel

Definitely Intel for both graphics and wifi. Nvidia graphics require you to download and install the proprietary driver for best results. And Broadcom wifi cards need extra firmware, although Mint provides this from their repository.

Thanks for the reply. The person selling the laptop only said it has wireless, nothing else, so I'll have to figure out when I buy it.

hazel · 11-09-2020, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoMir

Also, will a usb mouse work, just a basic one?

Shouldn't cause any problems. After all, desktop machines have been using usb mice for years.

If you have more than just a basic mouse, you can configure extra buttons from the desktop.

hazel · 11-09-2020, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoMir

Thanks for the reply. The person selling the laptop only said it has wireless, nothing else, so I'll have to figure out when I buy it.

When you boot up Linux, the kernel checks the hardware and loads the necessary drivers for things like network cards. Things usually "just work". However, if the card demands extra firmware in order to function, the kernel will report this and is usually considerate enough to name the precise file you need. Using Mint on this kind of equipment, at least initially, is a good idea because Mint includes firmware in its regular repos, unlike some distros which are decidedly sniffy about including non-free software.

SoMir · 11-09-2020, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazel

When you boot up Linux, the kernel checks the hardware and loads the necessary drivers for things like network cards. Things usually "just work". However, if the card demands extra firmware in order to function, the kernel will report this and is usually considerate enough to name the precise file you need. Using Mint on this kind of equipment, at least initially, is a good idea because Mint includes firmware in its regular repos, unlike some distros which are decidedly sniffy about including non-free software.

Thank you very much!