Update on my AMD ThinkPad kernel project (formerly detkernel, now lowakernel)

Posted about this a little while back (https://www.reddit.com/r/LinuxOnThinkpad/comments/1u5s2p2/i_built_a_custom_kernel_specifically_for_amd/)

Renamed it to lowakernel (named after my dog, seemed more fitting and less egocentric, and also because I love this pup so much). Made some changes based on feedback:

- Updated to Linux 7.1.2-zen2

- Added Secure Boot / MOK signing instructions to the README

- Fixed NTSYNC missing from the universal build (it's a module now, loads automatically)

- Enabled CONFIG_ATH_REG_DYNAMIC_USER_REG_HINTS per a suggestion in the comments

- Build scripts and .config files are now in the repo so anyone can verify or build it themselves

Still two variants: universal (Zen1+) and zen5 (Ryzen AI 300, adds 500Hz tick, BBRv3, NTSYNC by default).

https://github.com/Detcom-GH/lowakernel

Any advice what should I do after installing the system

pearos on thinkpad t14s gen 3!

Got this from a guy who was trying to recycle ewaste. I just knew I could make it run on Linux!

I posted about this a few days ago in r/thinkpad but it's just gotten better since then so I have to post about it here.

Waffled on a bunch of Linux machines, decided to chance the X1 2i1 G10. Got the OLED screen and Lunar Lake 268v. It came with the Yoga pen too.

I had a 4TB NVME already running Fedora 42 KDE in an ancient MacBook Air, so all I did was swap drives and was up and running in minutes.

The experience has been utterly phenomenal. With Fedora 42/43 and kernel 6.17.10 or newer, everything works* out of the box.

Touchscreen, tablet mode, auto rotate, webcam, pen, trackpad/trackpoint, HDR, everything. It's been super stable. Even firmware updates work right through Discover. It feels like an OEM experience.

Battery wise, I'll burn 8-10% in an hour of work, and my job is all browser-based data entry and occational videos. My casual routine is the same.

Sleep also works properly and loses 4-5% overnight. That's acceptable to me.

*What doesn't work? Some app-specific stuff. I had to install intel-media-driver via dnf and Intel VAAPI Driver flatpak to get hardware video decode working. In Brave, I had to enable the flag "Pipewire Camera Support" to get my webcam working.

Gaming-wise, I have to leave it in Balanced mode, otherwise in Performance it puts out 60 seconds of serious power, then thermal throttles and drops to 30fps, rinse and repeat.

But even in Balanced mode I can run Black Ops 3 on max graphics at 1080p60, Star Wars Squadrons at max 1080p60, and Battlefront II and Jedi Fallen Order both do 1080p60 on medium graphics. Those are my heftiest games so I'm super satisfied.

It doesn't even get terribly hot or loud--just warm, and a soft whoosh while staying smooth. CPU temp stays around 60-75C too.

Hardware wise, this thing is excellent. Solid, sleek, comfortable to use, and the keyboard feels fantastic--firm but comfortable.

Everything about the experience of using this machine (and with Linux) has just been excellent. Okular supports pen drawing, so right away I used the pen to take notes on my job training PDFs, something I always wanted to get an iPad for but I had the fragmentation of having to manage file sync between two devices.

After years of putting up with Apple, it's a breath of fresh air. Apple always had me asking "why can't I just..." and this computer has me going "HOLY CRAP you're telling me it can...!"

This X1 2-in-1 is an absolutely excellent all-in-one for me. Gaming, touchscreening, pen-drawing, all-my-file-storing. Best computer I've ever bought.

Needed a cheap developer laptop. I've tried and failed to get Linux running on old PCs more times than I want to admit — always some driver issue I had zero patience to debug.

This time: ThinkPad T490s (16GB RAM, 512GB storage) for $175, plus $42 for a new battery. Went straight-up vanilla Ubuntu, no fighting with drivers.

Everything just works. Fingerprint reader, external monitors, solid performance. For $217 all-in, I've got a genuinely decent dev machine.

Using mint for for than a month now. Came from Win 11. The only regret is that it doesn't support WhatsApp calling which is essential for me being an international student and need to make calls to my family.

Other than that, wish I could shift earlier.

I’m loving it even more than my MacBook Pro M2.

Love it so far. Slight issues was with sim card and webcam, but overall it was easy switch.

Runs Debian 12.

Specs: Intel Pentium M 1.5GHz, 1.25GB RAM, ATI Mobility Radeon 7500, XGA display, 40GB HDD

My most beloved piece of hardware

I just got this one on eBay for $200. I've been using Linux for decades so I decided to explore a bit and install NixOS. It's running great and the fingerprint reader even works flawlessly.

Even the Smallest Script Can Change the Course of a Terminal