Hi all, it’s time to upgrade from my old-timer Schenker running Manjaro. The Lenovo X1 2-in-1 looks interesting especially the possibility of using the stylus in tablet mode. After some research I found the gen 9 is listed on the Lenovo site as compatible with Ubuntu 22.04 so should be fine in theory.
My question is - can anyone speak to the actual experience of a gen 9 or even the new gen 10 running Ubuntu? Does everything work and work well? Such as haptic touchpad, fingerprint sensor, web cam, power management, and especially the tablet mode with stylus?
I haven’t used Windows as my main OS for at least 20 years now, hoping I won’t need to switch back to get the most out of a new ThinkPad X1.
Mate this is perfect, thanks. On the certification page it says:
Pre-installed in some regions with a custom Ubuntu image that takes advantage of the system’s hardware features and may include additional software. Standard images of Ubuntu may not work well, or at all.
Lenovo don’t offer Ubuntu (or Fedora) pre-installed in Australia, but I’ve just signed up as a “Business Pro” so I might call a sales rep tomorrow and find out about getting a custom Ubuntu image. Probably everything is available through repos anyway but I would like to have it set up out of the box. I’ll reply here after the call for anyone else interested.
Hey, I have the X1 2-in-1 Gen9 now for a few days. I tried Fedora 41 and it runs. But Webcam is not working OOTB and tablet mode is rudimentary functions only. The screen will not tilt of you put it in tablet mode or A-Stand mode.
Looking to install ubuntu now. Hope 24.04. will work well. Won´t go back to 22.04 and hope that things like VPN via wireguard will also work OOTB. Otherwise my Linux adventure will stopp quite soon. Trying Linux every couple of years and also running into some problems which involves using Terminal, digging around for hours for things that runs OOTB on Windows. That sadens me because it time to move on. Unfortunatly, if you have less time on your hands or for instance want to install Linux on your parents machine for simple office work and some things are not working, I just give up and go back to Windows albeit I really want to change to Linux.
Let us know how your journey with the 2-in-1 goes and maybe you can tell me wehre to get the 22.04. ISO in case 24.04. is not up to the task. Thanks
I’ve ordered the Gen 10. I spoke to a Lenovo rep and he says he’s had a few business clients install Ubuntu without any problem. I should receive mine in a few days, I’ll try the latest Ubuntu image and post back how it all goes!
Yeah, just got the Gen 9, the 10th might be too expensive. And from what I have read the webcam driver issue is still a thing. Maybe the 10th Gen have another webcam type. Looking forward to your feedback.
Thanks for the link. The issues is that it should be a special image for 22.04 made for the Gen 9. Canocial writes on their page that the standard image might have some issues. I doubt they would remove the additional MIPI / IPU6 Webcam drivers working in the standard image in 22.04 for further ubuntu versions.
I tried the 25.04 beta but the webcam is also not working. Installed the addiotnal drivers, followed some how-tos that I found, but still not working. The tablet mode though now supports moving objects by drag and drop (which was an issue in earlier versions). Hope webcam additional drivers might work in the future.
I like the X1 2-in-1 Gen9 so far, even though it is a bit louder. The haptic feel is nice, albeit the nowadays keyboards are far inferior to the old days like x210 or x280. I put the X1 2-in-1 Gen9, the X13 Gen4 and X280 side by side and I have to say I am tempted to use the x280 for writing my master thesis… Power is enough for office work, but it can´t drive my 3820x1600 screen with 144Hz… All, first world problems. To finish the picture, the X13 Gen 4 sits in the middle keyboard wise. (all subjective). But the X13 have almost the same dimensions like the X1 and the X1 has privacy guard and a bit more brighter screen.
@eeickmeyer The second certification link you gave is for the X1 Carbon, which is a completely different machine.
@sethwid You will likely have better luck with a newer Ubuntu. 24.04 if you want an LTS release, or 25.04 if you are willing to use a non-LTS release. In any case, please report back here how things go.
It’s been difficult to get some time to set the X1 up, but today it’s raining
I first tried 24.10 and while most things were working out of the box, the touch screen and stylus weren’t. I was about to try the latest Fedora when @jdc replied mentioning 25.04 Plucky Puffin (it’s just come out). Now I have that installed and the touchscreen and stylus are working quite well!
To summarise all working: Wifi card Trackpoint Haptic trackpad Sound Stylus Multi-touch is supported (I can pinch to zoom and rotate in Krita). The fingerprint reader
Not out of the box, and hopefully just config or install for support:
Tablet mode
Whatever Windows Hello would be called under Linux.
All, first world problems. To finish the picture, the X13 Gen 4 sits in the middle keyboard wise. (all subjective). But the X13 have almost the same dimensions like the X1 and the X1 has privacy guard and a bit more brighter screen.
Wifi card