I'm not completely new to Linux although I did find 9.1 Ubuntu a real challenge, rewarding once the hurdles were crossed though. I'm now using 16.04 Ubuntu on a Dell laptop that's just limping along because the keyboard's tired and case seems weak.

I've done a little research and haven't found well defined answers for the best distribution considering the configuration of the Think Pad that is on its way to me. I utilize Garmin products as well as a couple other that seem to demand Windohs so I plan to dual boot for an all in one laptop.

I enjoy Blender but know serious use takes an expensive machine my budget can't handle. Light weight animation, some 3D modeling are really all I've been able to do with a brand new I3 laptop, this didn't last long!

Anyway I'd appreciate a little help if you might be some kind. The Lenovo specs are listed below.


Intel Core i7-CPU 3520M @2.90 GHz
Lenovo Recovery hard drive partition
Fingerprint reader is included
Microsoft Office 365 includes Office 2016 (Outlook, Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher & OneNote) - 1 year
Think-light which illuminates keyboard
Back-light Keyboard
Lenovo Recovery 16gb USB Media (Ever need to change out your hard drive this will re-install everything to factory settings as new install)
8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 Memory, Speed 1600MHz, expandable to 16GB
Thinkpad Bluetooth
*Best Storage Solution*
***500GB hard drive for data storage
***256GB Solid State mSATA which houses Windows 7 Pro OS
Internal DVD+RW Drive, DVD-+RW, CD-RW, DVD +-DL
Intel Wireless Centrino Advanced N-6205 Dual Band (2.4 + 5GHz) A/G/N
16 GB Lenovo Factory Recovery USB media - (Can be used for new install or recovery of present system)
Intel 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection
Intel HD 4000 graphics
HD Smart Sound
Display Backlit, Anti-glare 1600 x 900 native resolution HD+
Embedded Security-TPM 1.2 (trusted platform module)
1 x Express Card port
VGA Monitor out
Mini Display Port
USB 2.0 charging port
1 X 2.0 USB port
2 X USB 3.0 port
D Card, Multimedia Card, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
Headphone/Microphone combo jack
Touch Pad & Track Stick mouse
Lithium-ion Battery - New
AC power adapter - New
INCLUDED 16 GB LENOVO FACTORY RECOVERY USB DRIVE + FACTORY RECOVERY HARD DRIVE PARTITION
BITDEFENDER INTERNET SECURITY
Symantec Anti Virus software
Windows 7 Professional 64bit (installed with COA), the IBM manuals are included within ThinkVantage Tools loaded on Laptop.

Hi,
from the specs the machine should work well. The CPU is strong enough, the intel graphics is handled fine.
Fingerprint-Reader can be made to work - but who needs it. Sound *might* be an issue - if so, wait half a year and it should be fine.

Give ubuntu 16.04 a spin - you have 5 years of support/fixes for that.
If, for some reason, a piece of hardware doesn't work try ubuntu 16.10. It's newer, a fix might be included. But you have to upgrade more often.

Short: nice machine, have fun!

HTH
Upuetz

Thank you
Any suggestions on partition sizing? It's been a while since I've used Windohs on anything but a dedicated tablet.

Since Linux is capable of reading ntfs, partition the 250GB drive to e.g. 180GB Windows and 70 Linux. That should be enough for windows updates <snigger> and your emails in your home folder.
Store all videos, pictures etc. in the 500GB drive and you're done - because both Win and Linux can read there.
The only thing you have to look out for then is that, when you hibernate linux to go briefly to windows, you have to umount the 500GB drive - otherwise ntfs wouldn't like that.
If you don't hibernate but rather shutdown/reboot to windows you're all set.

Best regards,
Upuetz

I didn't even know Linux could be hibernated to boot Windohs, I've only shut down and rebooted between the two on a desk top a few years back.
I'm pretty much a web based email user anymore although newer security measures are getting to be detouring.
Such profanity is allowed in this forum?
Thanks again

Just info on how I roll on this IBM T430 laptop

It came with a Windows 10 enterprise 320 gig sata drive in it.

1st thing I do is pull the windows drive fully out. Buy another sata drive on the cheap. SSD is a good choice if wanting more speed. I did the same on my Dell E4310 also with it's Windows 7 hard drive.

That way. No risk of borkage that dual boot can induce. 5 minutes and drives are changed.

That way you have one dedicated windows drive. One dedicated linux install.

But to each their own way of doing things. I used to multi-boot like a chicken with it's head cut off. With grub legacy and grub4dos. But I realized I was spending more time unsnarling stuff than
just getting work done. I have more free time now with my way of doing things.

Thank you!
I've done a quick youtube video exploration and than checked pricing. It may be a while but going with a larger SSD hard drive does look to be advantageous but a bit of an expensive venture for myself. I must say a much easier process in the Lenovos than the Dells!

I think I'm done with Dell laptops, they seem pretty heavy on the planned obsolescence!

I have a thinkpad x220 (I like the keyboard the old style) and partitioned win7/linux something like above.
I mostly do stuff under linux. The rare instances I have to "work" under win I "umount /win7", "pm-hibernate" my linux, boot into Win, get angry, install updates and reboot to linux again to have all programs open like before.
Easy ;-)

Best regards,
Upuetz

I seldom use windohs so I'm more likely to reboot and avoid potential issues I'd rather not see. Another part of the reason for this Lenovo is a potential job prospect I'd guess would be more windohs based, at least I'd be getting paid to use windohs still really not all that palatable.

Intel HD 4000 graphics

and blender cycles rendering, if you have not experienced the new cycles rendering in blender. you should google your video card specs with the key word blender and read up on what it tells on in the performance of using that graphics "card" with blender.

I swapped out my motherboard from a intergraded video, to ATI dedicated chip, and from a i5 (2nd gen 4 core) to a i7-2760QM 8 core. My i5 core when rendering in cycles was sitcky, with the added 4 cores it renders smoothly now. but as it is still takes a long time depending on the data it has to render. But I have a HP 8460p laptop, your i7 should be enough to deal with blender though.

it is your video I am worried about.

I know the HD 4000 isn't very good, I'm not a heavy Blenderizer or I would have made a point of better graphics. Gaming has never peaked my interests either. Thank you!

I'm actually using the Lenovo for this post, it just showed up a few minutes ago.
I'm fumbling the keyboard a bit as the Dell's is larger but the difference between the Dell and this laptop are immediately obvious, construction is a lot more sound and the keyboard has a much better feel.
I'll have to research Blender a bit again, something about 8 channels seems to come to memory, I'm in need of some refreshing honestly.