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IBM-Lenovo ThinkPad Z61p
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the IBM-Lenovo ThinkPad Z61p laptop. The ThinkPad Z61p is a high end laptop which has very good support for Linux.
This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which modules you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required modules have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.
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Specifications
| Name | IBM-Lenovo ThinkPad Z61p |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0GHz |
| Screen | 15.4” WSXGA+ |
| RAM | 1GB |
| HDD | 100GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | ATI Mobility FireGL V5200 |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet, IBM 802.11g Wireless, Bluetooth |
| Other | 3 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire, Intel High Definition Audio, Fingerprint Reader |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel module |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use the Madwifi module |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| PCMCIA | Yes | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Use ThinkFinger |
Notes
The Xorg radeon driver which is included with most Linux distributions does not currently support the ATI Mobility FireGL V5200 built into the ThinkPad Z61p. However support for this chip has been added in the latest version of the proprietary ATI module. Installation of this driver is required for the display to work properly. Future versions of Xorg should solve this problem
Summary
The main issue with the IBM-Lenovo ThinkPad Z61p is the ATI Mobility FireGL V5200 which isn't supported by defaults in current Linux distributions. Future Linux distributions should solve this problem so eventually this laptop will be quite easy to use.
Discussion
installed Kubuntu successfully
I had some trouble with the Graphics Adapter, but this was easily solved using jockey.(resp. jockey-kde as GUI).
Bluetooth worked out of the box. Same with the SD Card Reader.
The Sound was a bit of a myth, since there seems to be some issue with the ibm driver for the special buttons (Dunno what they did wrong there…).
One last thing: I got the 4 GB Max RAM installed. You can try the 64 bit version, but I had some issues there. Some packages I need 8especially some I need for my work) show some… issues. but I guess 3G will be enough for now.