Can a Lenovo G50-80 Run trisquelgnulinux?

9 risposte [Ultimo contenuto]
jmsmcfrlnd
Offline
Iscritto: 05/11/2015

I hope this is the correct forum, my first post - appreciate any corrections if necessary.

I am considering a Lenovo G50-80, it comes with Windows 8.1 installed, and I would like to run trisquel.

I have looked on h-node.org and haven't found any info so far.

Does anyone know of any document that outlines the process to follow to discover what will run, and what will not, and then how to begin working on learning to try to create/update the necessary pieces to get the machine to work under trisquel?

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks very much,
-james

PS: Of course, anything I figure out would be contributed back to the community so that other users can benefit, help, improve, etc.

Magic Banana

I am a member!

I am a translator!

Offline
Iscritto: 07/24/2010

I would advise you to buy a computer without the Microsoft tax.

As for the support, just prepare to acquire a Wifi adapter (not a card because Lenovo is known to implement DRMs that prevent substituting hardware pieces): there is a high probability that Linux-libre (Trisquel's kernel) does not support the chipset of the Wifi card in the laptop. There basically is no reliable way to know the chipset of a new Wifi card (a same model can be sold with different chipsets). ThinkPenguin and Tehnoetic are the only two vendors that guarantee that their hardware (including Wifi adapter) work with Linux-libre:

The rest (in particular the Intel graphical chipset: the best) should properly work.

onpon4
Offline
Iscritto: 05/30/2012

It's worth noting that Lenovo is one of the many companies that try to restrict what kinds of wireless cards you can install in their computers with digital restriction mechanisms. That list also includes IBM, HP, Dell, and Toshiba. Computers from Gluglug are the best choice and computers from Think Penguin are the second-best choice, but if you're going to buy computers from mainstream companies, you should at least avoid these companies which intentionally attack their customers' freedom.

fruttenboel
Offline
Iscritto: 09/20/2015

I just installed Slackware Current x32 (September 20 version) on a Lenovo G50-80. I had to blacklist the ideapad_laptop module and make an alsa sound control file and now I'm good to go. So I gues any linux can be trained to work with your computer.

Yes, i too dislike the Windows Tax. But it is the burden we pay for getting so much value for money.

On the other hand: I got my laptop from Komplett, from the 'Outlet' section.

tomlukeywood
Offline
Iscritto: 12/05/2014

"Yes, i too dislike the Windows Tax. But it is the burden we pay for getting so much value for money"

if you want value for money don’t buy a computer new!

you can get the exact same thing way cheaper if you buy it second hand
i recently purchased a laptop for £25 including postage for a friend
i had to spend £3.50 upgrading it to 2GB of ram
but after that it was a good laptop fully capable of running modern operating systems well

and if i wanted a battery (from a source that hopefully would keep the battery from exploding!) i could get it for £40

£68.5 is way cheaper than even the very cheap new laptops and it would be as good as new!(IMO)
it would be £28.50 if you don’t mind the lack of battery

Embracer245
Offline
Iscritto: 08/24/2015

Hey, i kinda did the same. I brought a computer (desktop) for 10$ and installed trisquel gnu/linux on it. And for 4gb of ram and 1500gb hard drive, It was a good bargain.

Embracer245
Offline
Iscritto: 08/24/2015

Everybody here hates the so-called windows tax. I think the laptop can run Trisquel, Maybe, Maybe not. Look up how to dual boot GNU/Linux on uefi machines. See if that works. (Not endorsing windows by the way) and if you want to change your mind about buying this laptop, you can buy them from Gluglug (they have like, 8-10 year old processors). If you want something more powerful/modern, Maybe thinkpenguin is your second option.

Chris

I am a member!

Offline
Iscritto: 04/23/2011

The problem with buying used hardware is that it doesn't spur companies to take interest in fixing the problems we have. There isn't enough demand because everybody is buying 'windows machines' that don't work, but are 'making do'. If you took all the GNU/Linux users and directed them to one company the price of systems would fall.

tomlukeywood
Offline
Iscritto: 12/05/2014

very much agreed!

the next time i need a computer and have the money to spend i will buy from a retailer without the windows tax!

Chris

I am a member!

Offline
Iscritto: 04/23/2011

** That should have read the price of systems would fall and spur fixes to the problems (ie lack of free drivers/firmware/fix digital locks/etc).