Linux Laptop Compatibility

Oussebon · Oct 21, 2018

The questions "Will X laptop run Linux?" or "What issues does X laptop have with Linux?" come up quite a lot, so I thought I'd make a list of a few posts with info about people's experiences on Linux with PCS laptops.

Although PCS don't officially support Linux on these, most chassis seem to work with Linux with only minor issues. You can get more info by googling the chassis models yourself, and you can find the Clevo chassis models listed here: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/clevo-laptops/40/ If other people have got these chassis to work with Linux or another vendor is selling these with Linux, it's very likely to work for you too.

Note some chassis like the Recoil and Vyper aren't Clevo, they're Tongfang (or Quanta like the Proteus).

Some chassis can be very different, e.g. Fusion III vs Fusion II. So be careful if buying a new model based on a user review about an older one with a similar name

How does Linux run on:

Edit: Topic discussing the recent Ubuntu 19.10 Eoan Ermine, which seems to play nicer that 19.04)

Ubuntu 19.10 (Eoan Ermine)

It seems the latest Ubuntu will install easier than its predecessors on some machines. I have just put it on a Defiance from 2018 and a 2016 Optimus and both went flawlessly with no issues before. When the Optimus was new I had a few problems, including log in loops caused by the Nvidia drivers...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Fusion III 14":
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/threads/review-fusion-iii-14.64190/
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/threads/disable-the-disable-wifi-key.64785/
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/foru...-the-linux-ultrabook-you-always-wanted.64946/

Fusion IV 14":
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/threads/ubuntu-19-10-eoan-ermine.65663/page-2#post-463332

Fusion IV 15.6"
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/threads/fusion-15-6-text-only-review.64979/#post-449821
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/threads/fusion-iv-arch-linux-install.66059/
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/foru...mn2g-perfect-specs-at-unbeatable-price.66813/

lafité IV 15.6 + successful Pop_os 19.10 install (then updated to 20.04)

Update : 18th of july 2021 System has been running fine for a year and without any issue. (except lately an annoying IO latency on the btrfs FS) I've just a fresh install with pop_os 21.04 yesterday (with Ext4 FS this time). + Freon + cpu freq + tuxedo keyboard... system is snappy I really...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Lafité IV 15.6" w/ Arch Linux

Hardware specs: Chassis & Display Lafité Series: Aluminium Chassis: 15.6" Matte Full HD IPS LED (1920 x 1080) Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™ i5 Quad Core Processor i5-10210U (1.6GHz, 4.2GHz Turbo) Memory (RAM) 16GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 16GB) Graphics Card INTEL® HD GRAPHICS...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Stephen M · Oct 23, 2018

Just to add to this. I am currently running Ubuntu 18.04.1 on the Octane V, GTX 1060, i7 8700k. Was the easiest and quickest install I have had on all five of my PCS laptops and only the expected issues, backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader, both of which are irrelevant to me. I believe there are some work arounds for keyboard lights but not tried yet.

Oussebon · Oct 23, 2018

Thanks Stephen M

Have added a link. Is that a 15.6" or a 17.3" Octane V? Not that I expect it makes a great deal of difference.

Stephen M · Oct 23, 2018

The 17.3". Should not make a difference but would not surprise me if it did.

batzkass · Mar 18, 2019

Hi, I wrote a review +tips about the new Lafite III 15" under linux, could you please link it from the sticky post ?
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/foru...er-Linux-compatibility-and-better-fan-control

Oussebon · Mar 18, 2019

Brilliant, thanks very much!

Oussebon · May 18, 2019

Added in a post about the Gemini.

If there are relevant topics I've missed (especially recently as have been a bit busier) please do flag them up

Oussebon · Aug 6, 2019

Cosmos VIII and Fusion III added, many thanks to the users who posted their experiences.
Also have started moving older chassis to the end of the post.

If people know of any I've missed, do flag up

Oussebon · Oct 28, 2019

Dual boot Fusion III

Fusion III with 16Gb RAM and two Samsung EVO PLUS SSDs. Successful UEFI dual boot setup with Windows 10 Pro and Linux Mint (not always easy but a piece of cake in this case - seldom use Linux so didn't want GRUB menu each restart). Installed Windows first to the 2TB drive and Mint to a 64Gb...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

MfromF · Dec 30, 2019

Hi Oussebon,

I added a description how to install Debian Buster (10 - Stable) on a Lafité IV 14'':

Debian Buster (10 - Stable) on Lafite IV 14''

Hi all, since the day Windows 10 came to the market I am working on Linux. Because I'm administrating a bunch of Debian machines with Old-Stable (9 - Jessie) and Stable (10 - Buster) my first choice is using Debian Buster on my notebook, too. So I was looking around for a new notebook since...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

It look like an good idea to link it here.

Maybe a second idea is to put together Lafité IV 14'' and 15,6'' in your list, because they have the pretty much the same hardware as far as I see.

Greetz
Martin

Oussebon · Dec 30, 2019

Thanks for the link, added.

I tend to keep them separate as it's easier for me than to keep track of which chassis is almost the same as which (15.6" and 17.3" Vortex laptops can be very different for example). Tbh lots of the Lafites and Ultranotes have almost the same hardware, one of the main differences being iterations of wifi card.

Solanin · Feb 25, 2020

Is it possible to add the 14" Fusion IV as well? Works fine under Ubuntu 19.10 (under 19.04, wifi does not work).
There is a small issue with the touchpad, I posted the fix:
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/threads/ubuntu-19-10-eoan-ermine.65663/page-2#post-463332

SpyderTracks · Feb 25, 2020

Solanin said:
Is it possible to add the 14" Fusion IV as well? Works fine under Ubuntu 19.10 (under 19.04, wifi does not work).
There is a small issue with the touchpad, I posted the fix:
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/threads/ubuntu-19-10-eoan-ermine.65663/page-2#post-463332

Done, thanks for highlighting it

markh · Feb 26, 2020

Ubuntu 19.10 working nicely on Vortex IX here 👍

freechelmi · Feb 27, 2020

We really need a new BIOS to disable RST for Lafité Pro ( L141CU) to make it works with linux.

The linux kernel will never include such hack from intel.

SpyderTracks · Feb 27, 2020

freechelmi said:
We really need a new BIOS to disable RST for Lafité Pro ( L141CU) to make it works with linux.

The linux kernel will never include such hack from intel.

Do remember that PCS don't offer Linux support, so they won't modify designs to support it. It either works or it doesn't.

freechelmi · Feb 28, 2020

No You don't understand the problem here.

The Bios have limited function compared to other Bios and Pcs have obviously access to Bios sources to deliver a new one.

ubuysa · Feb 28, 2020

I've just checked with a senior PCS employee and they confirmed that PCS do not offer any support at all for Linux.

SpyderTracks · Feb 28, 2020

freechelmi said:
No You don't understand the problem here.

The Bios have limited function compared to other Bios and Pcs have obviously access to Bios sources to deliver a new one.

I’m afraid that’s unlikely to happen as there’s no requirement for AHCI mode in windows, it’s a legacy setting that’s no longer used anymore.

Solved! - NVMe drive booting in AHCI mode?

I found some evidence that the Samsung 950 Pro NVMe drive can boot in AHCI mode: https://www.tenforums.com/drivers-hardware/67039-using-nvme-ssd-ahci-vs-raid-mode.html http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19662477...

forums.anandtech.com

This is a limitation within the Linux kernel as far as I can tell and therefor specific to Linux, eg, unsupported.

RobJN · Sep 15, 2020

As per this post, you can add the Ultranote V 14" laptop to the list of Linux compatible laptops (tested with Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS).

Linux Laptop Compatibility

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