Lenovo ThinkPad P51

Hi @MrTea, welcome to the Qubes OS Forum!

Does your HDMI audio work? I know that was a reported issue with the 4.0 version on HCL (Michael Holt’s log).

I don’t know honestly and I am not using that machine anymore, so it would be a lot of effort to test.

I also notice that the successful logs are with M1200 Mobile or HD 630 Graphics, but I see a couple P51 with Quadro M2200 for sale. I am not sure if the M2200 would create an issue since it isn’t exactly the same as listed on the successful reports.

I cannot recommend using Nvidia cards at all. In my personal experience and observing discussions here and on the mailing list for years, my strong recommendation to you is to use the integrated Intel graphics. Especially when you are a beginner and don’t want to spent a lot of time troubleshooting.

Due to they way graphics works in Qubes OS it won’t make much of a difference in performance anyway. Yes, with R4.1 experimental support for GPU pass-through might be available. But that’s an advanced topic and doesn’t belong in the “just works” context.

I also notice that there are three successful logs on HCL for the P50 without workarounds, but I don’t see it mentioned on the Community Recommended List. Not sure if the P50 has some unforeseen issues not mentioned on the logs?

The reason is simple: for an entry to make it into the community recommended list we need at least two successful entries using the same processor. These three P50 entries use three different CPU, that’s why none of them has made it on the list yet. If someone with the P50 reads this and especially if your CPU is already listed in the HCL: please submit a HCL report!

Basically I think the P51 might be the best bet It has more positive reviews, you have been using it for 4 years, etc… but I’m concerned about the difference in graphics between the successful logs and what is for sale (in regards to Qubes complications).

Stick with integrated graphics!

Hopefully I am posting this in the appropriate area since it is a predominantly P51 question with a little P50 sprinkled in there. Thanks!

Perfect!