Popular Guides
View more guides at Linux Wiki Guides
Welcome to LinLap - The Linux Laptop Wiki
Lenovo ThinkPad Twist
Introduction
This is a compatibility guide to running Linux with the Lenovo ThinkPad Twist laptop. If you have the Lenovo ThinkPad Twist and are running Linux on it please consider editing this page or adding a comment below with your compatibility details. By contributing you will help other people running this laptop or trying to make a decision on whether to buy it or not.
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Lenovo ThinkPad Twist. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Lenovo ThinkPad Twist page on LapWik.
Editing This Page
If you would like to edit this page please first view our Editing Guidelines.
Specifications
For full specifications see the Lenovo ThinkPad Twist specifications page.
| Name | Lenovo ThinkPad Twist |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 – 3517U (3.0 GHz, 4MB L3, 1600 MHz FSB) Intel Core i5 – 3317U (2.60 GHz, 3MB L3, 1600 MHz FSB) Intel Core i3 – 3217U (1.8 GHz, 3MB L3, 1600 MHz FSB) |
| Screen | 12.5” 1366×768 Widescreen |
| RAM | Up to 8GB |
| HDD | Up to 500GB |
| Optical Drive | None |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 4000 |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet 802.11abgn |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | OK | |
| Touch Screen | OK | Didn't work on 3.2 kernel, worked in 3.8 |
| Screen | OK | |
| HDD | OK | |
| Graphics Chip | OK | |
| HDMI Out | OK | |
| DisplayPort | Not Tested | |
| Sound | OK | |
| Bulti-in Microphone | OK | |
| Headphone Jack | OK | |
| Microphone Jack | Not Tested | |
| Ethernet | Not Tested | |
| Wireless | OK | Non-free firmware needed |
| Bluetooth | OK | |
| WWAN | Not Tested | |
| USB | OK | |
| Card Reader | OK | Didn't work in 3.2 kernel, worked in 3.8 |
| Webcam | OK | |
| Touch Pad | OK | |
| Track Point | OK | |
| Suspend/Resume | OK |
Notes
Above points tested with Debian Unstable, first with the default 3.2 kernel, then with a 3.8 from experimental. The 3.8 experimental one worked like a charm.
Summary
If you choose a distribution with a 3.8 kernel (I suspect 3.4 will also work), you will have no issues at all with this laptop.
Discussion
Used a 3.2 kernel, touchscreen and card reader were not working. (Debian Unstable default kernel). Upgraded to 3.8 from experimental and everything works. Wireless needs a non-free firmware but it really works out of the box otherwise.
Untested: Ethernet (but the OS recognizes it so it should work), DisplayPort. The rest from this list works.
Works with a LiveUSB after disabling Secure boot, Wireless was not working but Bluetooth was fine. Touchscreen worked right out of the box and the hotkeys worked fine.