Lenovo plans to launch laptops running Fedora Linux across all markets by month's end.
Lenovo plans to launch laptops running Fedora Linux across all markets by month's end.
Lenovo shared updates at the Nest with Fedora conference today. They plan to start selling laptops worldwide equipped with Fedora Workstation by month’s end. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8 will feature a version with Fedora preinstalled by August 31. The ThinkPad P1 Gen 2 and P53 Fedora models are almost ready, expected soon. The newer ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 and P15 successors have received approval for shipment with Fedora preinstalled, and production is underway. (Source: Matthew Miller (@mattdm) on Twitter)
Well, nothing? The point is to make Linux more broadly available and accessible. The fact that a major vendor is committing to making it broadly available (globally) with a Linux distribution is more of a mark that Linux is becoming a truly viable alternative to Windows for PCs for all kinds of PC users.
Yes, having a Linux machine that comes ready to use ensures the hardware works well with the operating system, which is a major issue when moving to Linux regularly. Also, it’s unclear why laptops are never sold without an operating system, and it seems easy to install Windows on your own if needed.
I've always been interested in this! I understand that most serious Linux users tend to reset and start fresh with any distribution they prefer, which is nice since it draws in those who aren’t familiar or aren’t committed.
Dell offers Linux systems at their website. System76 provides laptops and sells KDE products on their store. Purism, Puri, Tuxedo Computers, and others distribute rebranded Linux devices. Hp previously ran similar campaigns, though current status is unclear. Asus occasionally releases updated versions, but adoption remains limited. Chromebooks also see minimal uptake despite being distributed in schools. Google often distributes free devices to students, similar to Apple’s past efforts. Dell frequently relies on proprietary drivers and outdated kernels, avoiding updates and documentation. Custom configurations are common without clear support. Some users have reported difficulties installing Linux on Dell machines after attempts, with limited help available.
It feels a bit disappointing. I tend to pick the distribution that suits my preferences. A laptop with a ready-made Linux setup seems like a solid choice, given the likely better hardware support. But any machine bundled with Windows still brings a lot of uncertainty and trial-and-error. With a pre-installed Linux, it’s more likely there will be clear info on system details like lspci or lsusb, or guidance at sites such as linux-hardware.org, especially for those that come with Windows included.
This improvement comes from Lenovo's direct involvement with Fedora. Their approach aligns with Fedora's guidelines, requiring drivers to be integrated into the kernel and activated in the distribution. You can trust that laptops built with Fedora will function seamlessly with any other Linux distribution right out of the box, since they don't alter the original hardware support from a standard Fedora image.