This is a compatibility guide to running Linux with the Lenovo IdeaPad U330 laptop.
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.
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Lenovo IdeaPad U330. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Lenovo IdeaPad U330 page on LapWik.
If you would like to edit this page please first view our Editing Guidelines.
For full specifications see the Lenovo IdeaPad U330 specifications page.
| Name | Lenovo IdeaPad U330 |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo |
| Screen | 13.3” WXGA Widescreen |
| RAM | 2GB to 4GB |
| HDD | 250GB to 320GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450 |
| Network | Ethernet, Intel 5100 802.11abgn, Bluetooth |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Not Tested | |
| Screen | WOTB | |
| HDD | WOTB | |
| Optical Drive | Not Tested | |
| Graphics | Works* | * in the BIOS had to use Discrete Graphics only |
| Sound | WOTB - but still need to check if configured correctly | |
| Ethernet | Works out of the box (WOTB) | |
| Wireless | WOTB(tested g) | |
| Bluetooth | WOTB | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | WOTB | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | WOTB (SD Flash Cards) | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| Camera | Needs a patch (and video still upside down) | |
| Face Micro | Works for Ubuntu 9.04 |
Update everything you can from lenovo website. In particular the BIOS before you start installing linux.
My first boot from the Ubuntu810 liveCD did NOT recognize the graphic card. I went back to the bios and enabled discrete graphics only. In the live session (cAT5 internet worked fine as well as sound - I did not test wireless and other features)
If you want to use the Intel integrated graphics over the ATI dedicated, you can install Ubuntu with the “Alternate CD”. That gives you a text based install. After that, you need to manually edit your xorg.conf file to specify the bus ID for the Intel graphics…
To find the bus ID…
sudo lspci
You're looking for “xx:xx.x VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation…”
Mine showed up as 00:02.0
To add the bus to Xorg config…
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Find the “Device” section and add a line with the bus ID like this…
BusID “PCI:00:02:0”
Save and reboot and you should be good to go!
You can enter a summary of how well the Lenovo IdeaPad U330 works with Linux here.
Discussion
OK I got it
Works Out of The Box :D
Sorry
It may sounds dumb, but what's the meaning of WOTB?
I'm french and can't find it.
Thanks :)
To disable ATI board in Swichable configuration, install and build lenovo_acpi module from Sylvain Joyeux. Also i made a dkms rpm package.
This module disables ATI board and permits to gain more time far away AC power. I switch from 23w to 13w !
if you use the vga switcheroo it will again come down to 10w