Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message

Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

Linux on ThinkPads
Message
Author
Hierax_ca
Freshman Member
Posts: 113
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:06 am
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#31 Post by Hierax_ca » Thu May 03, 2018 4:04 pm

After testing dozens over the past few years on a wide variety of Thinkpads, consistently the absolute Best Linux Distro I've found (for me) is MX Linux (https://mxlinux.org/), currently at version 17.1, you can get the most recently updated versions here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/mx-li ... Snapshots/.

It is based on the super stable Debian 9 "Stretch", and super light-weight antiX Linux (https://antixlinux.com/), but with likewise stable and fast XFCE Desktop and with many usability improvements and useful tools over vanilla Debian. Well worth checking out to see if it'll work well for you too.

I'm running it on Thinkpads ranging from A31p to W520. The only ones I wouldn't recommend it for is the x301 (dvd drive compatibility issues, but great with extra HDD or Battery in UltraBay), and the X60t/X61t (graphics/wacom issues make it boot really slow, MX16.1 is great on it them though), other than that I can't recommend MX Linux highly enough (typing this on a W700ds running MX).

Second best, for me, has been the Ubuntu-based Linux Lite (https://www.linuxliteos.com/download.php) currently version 3.8 but the 4.0 Beta is looking good too, it's also XFCE.

Third best would be Ubuntu Mate 18.04 (https://ubuntu-mate.org/).

All IMHO, YMMV.
Toshiba (93-98): t3400(ct), 3600ct, 610ct, 620ct, 660cdt, 490xcdt, 780cdm/dvd

IBM (95-06): 701c*(s) Butterfly, 600(e,x*), A31p*, T43(S*, p,+pS*)

Lenovo (07-12): t60h, T601pF*, x60t+, x61t+*,
W500, W700, W700ds, W701, W701ds, x301*, x200t, x220t, x220*, W520*.

Dekks
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 583
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2014 9:38 am
Location: Birmingham, UK

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#32 Post by Dekks » Sat May 05, 2018 3:46 am

Self_Propelled_Crane wrote:
Thu Apr 26, 2018 9:05 pm
What's a good distro for T60/T61/Frankenpad-type (or core 2 duo era period) machines? Basically one that works 100% out of the box and is lightweight yet functional?
Any 64bit distro will work in 2GB RAM recommended DE/WM Mate, XFCE,LxQt,i3,JWM,Openbox,FluxBox.
Home - Win 10 MSi GF63 Gaming Laptop /Arch GNOME 3/X230 Tablet /X61 [Korean] - Debian 10/T60p - Ubuntu 20.10 Helix 2
Work - Win10/Thinkpad X1 Tablet Gen 2

Arc
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2017 7:42 pm
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#33 Post by Arc » Fri Jun 15, 2018 4:36 pm

I currently am using Devuan (https://devuan.org/). They just released 2.0 which is based on Debian Stretch. Mostly recent, stable, and being basically Debian without systemd, it's very familiar. Runs great on all my machines.
Lenowo [ X41t | X61t SXGA+ | X61s SXGA+ | W500 | X301 | X201 with USB-C PD | X201t | T430 Hackintosh | W530 | X1 Fold | X12 detachable ]
ThiccPads 「 600 | 770Z | A21m | X22 | A31p | R52 」
[ Fujitsu Lifebook P1620 | P1630 ] [ iBook G3 Snow ] [ XPS M1710 ]
Dang I have too many laptops

WarhawkCZ
Sophomore Member
Posts: 179
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:07 pm
Location: Germany, Czechia

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#34 Post by WarhawkCZ » Sun Jun 24, 2018 3:27 pm

Choosing a distro is highly individual thing but I vote for MX linux too. I am an inexperienced linux user and after experiments with various debian-based distros I like this one best. I now run it on my x61 and everything works out of the box and the OS is extremely responsive but graphics is still polished and looks nicely.
I was also considering Manjaro but I don't like the rolling updates model.

My second favorite distro is Mint Xfce. I run this one in several VMs.

Linny Bob
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2018 6:39 pm
Location: Franklin, NC

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#35 Post by Linny Bob » Wed Jun 27, 2018 7:18 pm

:wink: I like/feel compfortable with Mint Mate. I like "lighter" OSs..I have seen good things in the new Peppermint 9. Maybe good for me if I can set it up right. I often try out new machines with Puppy or Linux Lite off a CD or SD/USB card.

Cigarguy
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1756
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:08 pm
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#36 Post by Cigarguy » Thu Jun 28, 2018 5:23 am

That's the beauty of Linux, don't like a certain flavour? Change it. Lots of good distro out there to suit the novice to power user.

AndyMH
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed May 30, 2018 12:32 pm
Location: Warminster, UK

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#37 Post by AndyMH » Thu Jun 28, 2018 10:50 am

Mint for me. Daily driver is a T430 that I've pimped up (i7-3632, 16G RAM, 500G SSD) running 18.3 cinnamon, a T410 running 17.3 cinnamon and an old T60 running 18.0 mate. Why mint - it installs 'out of the box'.
T430 i7-3632QM Mint 19.0 Cinnamon, T430 Mint 19.0 Cinnamon, T420 Mint 18.3 Cinnamon, T410 dual boot win7/mint 17.3, T60 Mint 19 Mate

MountainX
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2018 10:46 pm
Location: Philadelphia, PA USA

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#38 Post by MountainX » Thu Jun 28, 2018 11:19 pm

Scottfish wrote:
Wed Apr 18, 2018 4:55 pm
...am wondering who is running what on their Thinkpad?
I am running Arch Linux on all my ThinkPads now because I like the rolling release.

teamde78
Freshman Member
Posts: 120
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:18 pm
Location: Amherst, MA

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#39 Post by teamde78 » Fri Jul 06, 2018 6:35 am

Currently running Arch on my T440p with dwm. Took some time configuring - but pretty much customized it to my liking. Really happy with it so far and no major issues.
Thinkpads: X1C 5th Gen (daily Driver), T430, T60, Z61, T410

fafler
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2014 3:35 pm
Location: Vipperød, Denmark

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#40 Post by fafler » Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:01 am

I use Debian on all my machines. Mostly, I use 2 SSD's, one with Intel and AMD graphics drivers and one with Nvidia drivers, and then I just swap them around to whichever ThinkPad I feel like using.

For desktop environment, I use XFCE.
Thinkpads: T40p, T43, T500, W500, W510, W510, X201 and X220

Dekks
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 583
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2014 9:38 am
Location: Birmingham, UK

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#41 Post by Dekks » Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:24 am

Self_Propelled_Crane wrote:
Thu Apr 26, 2018 9:05 pm
What's a good distro for T60/T61/Frankenpad-type (or core 2 duo era period) machines? Basically one that works 100% out of the box and is lightweight yet functional?
Any distro usually works with the age of machine, the decision is which WM/DE interface you want to use. Some distros like debian or arch have packages for varied conventional WM/DEs like openbox, icewm, xfce,jwm, gnome3, mate & tiling WMs such as i3, xmonad, awsomewm etc.
Other distros are tied to one WM/DE like ubuntu, fedora, solus. Really it's a question of googling & doing your research on which WM/DE looks like and then distro hopping till you get one that suits you.
Home - Win 10 MSi GF63 Gaming Laptop /Arch GNOME 3/X230 Tablet /X61 [Korean] - Debian 10/T60p - Ubuntu 20.10 Helix 2
Work - Win10/Thinkpad X1 Tablet Gen 2

teamde78
Freshman Member
Posts: 120
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:18 pm
Location: Amherst, MA

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#42 Post by teamde78 » Sat Jul 07, 2018 10:56 am

Dekks wrote:
Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:24 am
Self_Propelled_Crane wrote:
Thu Apr 26, 2018 9:05 pm
What's a good distro for T60/T61/Frankenpad-type (or core 2 duo era period) machines? Basically one that works 100% out of the box and is lightweight yet functional?
Any distro usually works with the age of machine, the decision is which WM/DE interface you want to use. Some distros like debian or arch have packages for varied conventional WM/DEs like openbox, icewm, xfce,jwm, gnome3, mate & tiling WMs such as i3, xmonad, awsomewm etc.
Other distros are tied to one WM/DE like ubuntu, fedora, solus. Really it's a question of googling & doing your research on which WM/DE looks like and then distro hopping till you get one that suits you.
That is the main point about choosing a linux distro. There are no "true" right or wrong. The individual user needs to choose and commit to a distro that works for them. Although most are compatible - it depends on the machine and the user - and experimentation with different distros seems to be the best way to determine the best functioning OS for your needs and desires.
Thinkpads: X1C 5th Gen (daily Driver), T430, T60, Z61, T410

Dekks
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 583
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2014 9:38 am
Location: Birmingham, UK

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#43 Post by Dekks » Sat Jul 07, 2018 4:12 pm

teamde78 wrote:
Sat Jul 07, 2018 10:56 am
That is the main point about choosing a linux distro. There are no "true" right or wrong. The individual user needs to choose and commit to a distro that works for them. Although most are compatible - it depends on the machine and the user - and experimentation with different distros seems to be the best way to determine the best functioning OS for your needs and desires.
exactly - i know one of our programmers runs i3 + vim on his laptop which is connected to a jwm desktop which does the CAD/CAM on multiple windows, 2 totally different layouts due to totally different workflows.
Home - Win 10 MSi GF63 Gaming Laptop /Arch GNOME 3/X230 Tablet /X61 [Korean] - Debian 10/T60p - Ubuntu 20.10 Helix 2
Work - Win10/Thinkpad X1 Tablet Gen 2

Cigarguy
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1756
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:08 pm
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#44 Post by Cigarguy » Sat Jul 07, 2018 4:25 pm

Choice...one of the great benefit of Linux and also a weakness as some people don't like having a choice.

teamde78
Freshman Member
Posts: 120
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:18 pm
Location: Amherst, MA

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#45 Post by teamde78 » Sat Jul 07, 2018 8:39 pm

Cigarguy wrote:
Sat Jul 07, 2018 4:25 pm
Choice...one of the great benefit of Linux and also a weakness as some people don't like having a choice.
OR asking everyone and their mother which distro is best for them :D - again only the individual can determine what his or her individual needs may be
Thinkpads: X1C 5th Gen (daily Driver), T430, T60, Z61, T410

skx
Sophomore Member
Posts: 242
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:25 pm
Location: Colombia

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#46 Post by skx » Mon Jul 09, 2018 8:38 pm

Linux version 4.9.0-6-amd64 (debian-kernel@lists.debian.org) (gcc version 6.3.0 20170516 (Debian 6.3.0-18+deb9u1) ) #1 SMP Debian 4.9.88-1+deb9u1 (2018-05-07)

Good ol' Debian 8)
ThinkPad X220: i5-2520M CPU 2.5GHz - 8GB RAM 1333 MHz - SSD 860 EVO 250GB - Debian - ME_cleaned
ThinkPad X230: i5-3320M CPU 3.3GHz - 8GB RAM 1600 MHz - SSD 860 EVO 500GB - Debian - ME_cleaned

teamde78
Freshman Member
Posts: 120
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:18 pm
Location: Amherst, MA

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#47 Post by teamde78 » Tue Jul 10, 2018 9:43 am

skx wrote:
Mon Jul 09, 2018 8:38 pm
Linux version 4.9.0-6-amd64 (debian-kernel@lists.debian.org) (gcc version 6.3.0 20170516 (Debian 6.3.0-18+deb9u1) ) #1 SMP Debian 4.9.88-1+deb9u1 (2018-05-07)

Good ol' Debian 8)
Great choice- Debian was my distro of choice before I discovered Arch (and I have been hooked ever since!).
Thinkpads: X1C 5th Gen (daily Driver), T430, T60, Z61, T410

bayou self
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 3:47 pm
Location: Amite, Louisiana

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#48 Post by bayou self » Sat Jul 21, 2018 5:23 pm

Xubuntu 18.04 LTS on a T500 and an X200. I got interested in Linux because I wanted an OS with a viable (can't think of a better word) command-line interface. I missed DOS!

redknight
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2018 6:17 pm
Location: Columbus, Ohio

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#49 Post by redknight » Sat Jul 21, 2018 6:28 pm

On this particular T410 I'm using MX 17. On my other Thinkpads: Debian 9 &10, Kubuntu, Mint.

azrielle
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2018 12:56 am
Location: St. George, UT

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#50 Post by azrielle » Fri Aug 03, 2018 1:07 am

I usually triple boot MX17.1, AntiX 17.1, and Win7SP1 on an SSD, having replaced all of the HDDs with mostly 120-128GB SSDs in various netbooks and notebooks, including 2 i3-3227u based X131e's, 1 i5-3220 based L430, and 1 i5-3220 based T430. A couple have ParrotOS 3.11 Studio, and Sparky 4.8 MinimalGUI as well.

Scottfish
Freshman Member
Posts: 76
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:32 pm
Location: Detroit, MI USA

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#51 Post by Scottfish » Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:33 am

As of today, I am running vanilla Debian. With three SSDs installed, I plan to triple boot soon, but have been lazy.

I may flirt with Enlightenment again soon. It's always fun.
T440P - 250GB SSD (2.5") - 240GB SSD (M.2) - Backlit Keyboard Mod - 3 Button Trackpad Mod - 128GB (2.5")SSD in Optical Drive Bay -Running Debian

Utwig
Junior Member
Junior Member
Posts: 336
Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 8:52 pm
Location: Slovenia/Europe

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#52 Post by Utwig » Wed Aug 08, 2018 6:19 am

I'm running Opensuse Leap 15 on the T420s. Suse is really good and also newbie friendly distro with many articles, good forums, many community packages for stuff that is not included. Also KDE is first class desktop on Suse. If you like KDE then OpenSuse, KDE Neon, Kubuntu and Fedora KDE Spin are good choices.
T540p, T420s, T400, R61, X61t, T60p, T42p, A21p

WarhawkCZ
Sophomore Member
Posts: 179
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:07 pm
Location: Germany, Czechia

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#53 Post by WarhawkCZ » Mon Sep 03, 2018 7:53 am

Guys, I somehow feel that it is better to ask here rather than starting a new thread.
I've recently started moving from Windows to Linux environment. A lot of stuff to learn but also fun. I am wondering what are the first things I should do after I install a new distro on my Thinkpad? I use x61 and t430 with MX Linux 17.1. Both machines are amazingly fast and the only thing I changed after the install was TLP power management. This seems to be suspiciously easy for me.

Is there something else or I should just enjoy it as is?

Neil
Senior ThinkPadder
Senior ThinkPadder
Posts: 3074
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2005 5:41 pm
Location: Paragould AR USA

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#54 Post by Neil » Mon Sep 03, 2018 8:05 am

WarhawkCZ wrote:
Mon Sep 03, 2018 7:53 am
...just enjoy it as is?
That has mostly been my experience. There isn't really anything that "needs" to be done. Almost all the changes that can be made are a matter of personal preference anyway. Usually just after a fresh install, I change a few things about the look of the desktop and install my favorite applications that are not pre-installed, then just start using it.
Collection = T430 - T500 - R400 - X300 - T61 (14" WXGA+) - R61 (15" SXGA+) - T60 - X40 - T43p - T43 - T42p - A30P

skx
Sophomore Member
Posts: 242
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:25 pm
Location: Colombia

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#55 Post by skx » Mon Sep 03, 2018 8:21 am

WarhawkCZ wrote:
Mon Sep 03, 2018 7:53 am
Guys, I somehow feel that it is better to ask here rather than starting a new thread.
I've recently started moving from Windows to Linux environment. A lot of stuff to learn but also fun. I am wondering what are the first things I should do after I install a new distro on my Thinkpad? I use x61 and t430 with MX Linux 17.1. Both machines are amazingly fast and the only thing I changed after the install was TLP power management. This seems to be suspiciously easy for me.

Is there something else or I should just enjoy it as is?
I solely use Debian but it should apply for all other distros as well. I assume your T430 has an SSD inside.

- install linux,encrypt your harddrive with the installer :wink:
- once installed, install TLP, calibrate battery and install the thresholds and settings fitting with your usage pattern
- install thinkfan to configure your heat fan management
- configure correctly SSD trim on all layers and activate weekly systemd fstrim.timer

all the rest is normal linux install and customization. with nonfree enabled in Debian all installs out of the box on T430s besides the 3 bullet points above.

ENJOY THE BEST OS EVER CREATED BY MANKIND :mrgreen: and yes, Linux is easy! installing windows is a nightmare and continuous pain in the butt rollercoaster if you are used to Linux :wink:
ThinkPad X220: i5-2520M CPU 2.5GHz - 8GB RAM 1333 MHz - SSD 860 EVO 250GB - Debian - ME_cleaned
ThinkPad X230: i5-3320M CPU 3.3GHz - 8GB RAM 1600 MHz - SSD 860 EVO 500GB - Debian - ME_cleaned

WarhawkCZ
Sophomore Member
Posts: 179
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:07 pm
Location: Germany, Czechia

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#56 Post by WarhawkCZ » Mon Sep 03, 2018 9:07 am

this is brilliant. With Linux, I feel that I am in charge of the PC again - with all pros and cons. I don't like the direction which new SW development goes (e.g. software as a service, cloud, telemetry, uncontrolled updates etc.) and for this reason, I've been carefully experimenting with software which is multiplatform. Now it finally turned out, that I can practically do anything I regularly do in Linux and can use a second W7 machine, Wine or a virtual machine for those small bits which better work in windows.

I hope I will see MS hitting the rock bottom like Nokia did.
Last edited by WarhawkCZ on Tue Sep 04, 2018 2:03 am, edited 1 time in total.

Hierax_ca
Freshman Member
Posts: 113
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:06 am
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#57 Post by Hierax_ca » Mon Sep 03, 2018 11:25 pm

Still running antiX and MX Linux on my Thinkpads. I tried dozens of distros over the past 4 years or so and found these to be the best for me, 32-bit or 64-bit these illustrious Mepis Linux successors are awesome!

- https://sourceforge.net/projects/antix- ... ntiX-17.1/

- https://sourceforge.net/projects/mx-lin ... Snapshots/
Toshiba (93-98): t3400(ct), 3600ct, 610ct, 620ct, 660cdt, 490xcdt, 780cdm/dvd

IBM (95-06): 701c*(s) Butterfly, 600(e,x*), A31p*, T43(S*, p,+pS*)

Lenovo (07-12): t60h, T601pF*, x60t+, x61t+*,
W500, W700, W700ds, W701, W701ds, x301*, x200t, x220t, x220*, W520*.

WarhawkCZ
Sophomore Member
Posts: 179
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:07 pm
Location: Germany, Czechia

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#58 Post by WarhawkCZ » Tue Sep 04, 2018 2:05 am

Thanks for the links. This is very useful. I also tried different distros but MX felt like home since the first boot.

redknight
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2018 6:17 pm
Location: Columbus, Ohio

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#59 Post by redknight » Tue Sep 04, 2018 10:15 am

WarhawkCZ wrote:
Mon Sep 03, 2018 7:53 am
Guys, I somehow feel that it is better to ask here rather than starting a new thread.
I've recently started moving from Windows to Linux environment. A lot of stuff to learn but also fun. I am wondering what are the first things I should do after I install a new distro on my Thinkpad? I use x61 and t430 with MX Linux 17.1. Both machines are amazingly fast and the only thing I changed after the install was TLP power management. This seems to be suspiciously easy for me.

Is there something else or I should just enjoy it as is?
By default MX has lots of apps you can easily install and a great forum with smart people to help if you have any issues. Thinkpads work so well out of the box with Linux that you shouldn't have much to do, just enjoy your new OS.

Hierax_ca
Freshman Member
Posts: 113
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:06 am
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Time for a "what distro are you running" thread...

#60 Post by Hierax_ca » Tue Sep 18, 2018 1:29 pm

Since a few others of you are also successfully running MX Linux on your Thinkpads, it might be appropriate to let you know that the MX Linux team is looking for feedback on Thinkpads so they can keep on improving:

- https://forum.mxlinux.org/viewtopic.php?f=101&t=39270

I've posted the inxi info and my comments about how MX Linux is working on my own Thinkpads and it would be great to have more data to improve things for all of us Linux-using Thinkpad lovers. Even if you don't use MX, I'm sure the developers of whatever distribution of Linux you are using would appreciate feedback too -- Linux is free but we are all stronger when we share our knowledge!

Thank You!
Toshiba (93-98): t3400(ct), 3600ct, 610ct, 620ct, 660cdt, 490xcdt, 780cdm/dvd

IBM (95-06): 701c*(s) Butterfly, 600(e,x*), A31p*, T43(S*, p,+pS*)

Lenovo (07-12): t60h, T601pF*, x60t+, x61t+*,
W500, W700, W700ds, W701, W701ds, x301*, x200t, x220t, x220*, W520*.

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Linux Questions”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 42 guests