Arch Linux

jpoveda

Member

From: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Registered: 2011-02-01

Posts: 17

Thinkpad X201 for ArchLinux installation

Hello there, I'm going to buy a new laptop. Obviously is the Thinkpad X201 as the thread tittle suggests. And the thing is that while I was checking the Linux compatible list of laptops, this one did not appear. And I'll would like to know that OS can support the drivers of the hardware included in the laptop. I'm mostly scare about the drivers for the TrackPoint and TrackPad.

I'll include all the hardware here:
-Intel Core i5-560M Processor (2.66GHz, 3MB L3, 1066MHz FSB)
-12.1" WXGA LED Panel, 2x2 UltraConnect II antenna; with Camera
-Intel HD Graphics
-4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
-TrackPoint and TrackPad
-250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
-5-1 Media Card Reader and Modem
-ThinkPad X200 Series 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
-ThinkPad bgn Wireless Card

Inxsible

Forum Fellow

From: Chicago

Registered: 2008-06-09

Posts: 9,183

Re: Thinkpad X201 for ArchLinux installation

The wireless card is a pain in the ass to configure as I think it ThinkPad bgn wireless simply uses a repackaged Realtek chip. Media card readers are iffy in general so it may work, it may not. SD usually works, I am not so sure about CF and Memory stick.

Rest all shouldn't be a problem as long as you are willing to hack at it and fix it (in case it doesn't work OOTB)

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jpoveda

Member

From: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Registered: 2011-02-01

Posts: 17

Re: Thinkpad X201 for ArchLinux installation

Ha! Thanks, I'll check out what I can do. Hope I can get full functionality...

Inxsible

Forum Fellow

From: Chicago

Registered: 2008-06-09

Posts: 9,183

Re: Thinkpad X201 for ArchLinux installation

if you can customize, change the Thinkpad wireless to Intel Centrino 1000 (that change is at no charge) If you upgrade further to 6200 or 6300 you will have to pay a few bucks more.

You'll thank me later.

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Forum Rules

There's no such thing as a stupid question, but there sure are a lot of inquisitive idiots !

jpoveda

Member

From: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Registered: 2011-02-01

Posts: 17

Re: Thinkpad X201 for ArchLinux installation

Ok then I'm still able to customize since I have not ordered it yet. So I'm going to go for that Intel Centrino you mentioned. As for the TrackPoint and TrackPad. Do you happen to know the driver I have to get?

Thank you.

Inxsible

Forum Fellow

From: Chicago

Registered: 2008-06-09

Posts: 9,183

Re: Thinkpad X201 for ArchLinux installation

xf86-input-evdev should be enough for the mouse and trackpoint. (it is required for the keyboard as well)

xf86-input-synaptics for the Trackpad.

In fact they are required by everyone who needs to use a mouse and keyboard. In other words they are not Thinkpad specific.

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Forum Rules

There's no such thing as a stupid question, but there sure are a lot of inquisitive idiots !

jpoveda

Member

From: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Registered: 2011-02-01

Posts: 17

Re: Thinkpad X201 for ArchLinux installation

Thanks for those tips Inxsible...