Maybe I’m doing something wrong, but lsusb -v doesn’t give any output.
You can find the lspci -vv output here: lspci-v.log (12.8 KB)
… information about how usb ports, wifi, bluetooth, touchpad, keyboard, other stuff are connected to these USB Controllers?
I think you need the schematic diagrams of the hardware. Even though we’d love to publish this, we are only allowed to share this with customers on request. If you bought a NovaCustom laptop, please write us an email with the request for the schematic diagrams.
Not diagrams. My point being that 3 USB Controllers may mean actually 1 for the purposes of using it in Qubes OS. I saw situations like that: when all usb ports on the laptop are connected to a single controller, that it is also responsible for “wifi/bluetooth/touchpad/keyboard” - it is like having 1 controller after all, because other 2 controllers can do some internal stuff (thunderbolt/pci), that user cannot physically use anyway.
I am so insistent about this because it does matter for Qubes OS users, and users should definitely know what will they get as a certified laptop to avoid disappointments (congratulations on certification, by the way!).
Quite unfortunate that no information about what USB controllers and USB sockets can be used separately on NovaCustom NV41 Series was provided. I described the way to check and why it may really matter.
I would like to propose adding the Framework laptops to the recommended list. I have been using one (original 11th Gen Intel) for more than a year with QubesOS and have gone through all the growing pains with it. I have posted my suggestions and guide here on GitHub for new users to Qubes OS on Framework. Initially there were some challenges with hardware recognition in the Xen kernel for wifi and s3 sleep especially, but at this point from my experience and the HCL reports, it seems that even the newest 13th Gen Intel version is working nearly perfectly.
I’m happy to test any needed functionality or other things that might be needed to recommend it. In general, I think the philosophy behind the company is admirable and compatible with the majority of the audience of Qubes. Really the only drawback I can think of at this time is that they are NOT supporting Coreboot likely for the next couple years , though it is something they have stated publicly they would like to support and likely will when AMD OpenSIL comes to fruition.
After making additional test and posting HCL I am planning to propose Thinkpad T16 Gen 1 to be in a recommended list.
Because it finally works with modern kernel and updated Qubes OS almost flawlessly:
It can have up to 48 GB of RAM.
I have no video, network, bluetooth, audio issues (but further testing may be required).
It supports S3 for suspend and it finally works well (it was not working due errors in Linux kernel).
Fans are working great (quiet, silent on idle) with thinkfan, quite a problem on Qubes OS on many laptops when fans are noisy compared to GNU/Linux.
No video glitches (because Qubes OS finally works fine with Intel Gen 11/12 CPUs).
It has PS/2 keyboard and thinkpoint (like mouse). It is deal-maker for some. BOTH keyboard and mouse works even if you screw the sys-usb completely!
Available for purchas. With different screen resolutions and etc.
Currently I see one not fixed problem - touchpad is not working properly after suspend in have of cases, the second suspend fixes the touchpad. But I have the similar problem on GNU/Linux (e.g. Ubuntu), so it is not Qubes OS related bug. And once again trackpoint works flawlessly as mouse in all situations.
About NovaCustom NV41 Series
I do not have the certified NovaCustom NV41 Series laptop, but to my opinion currently it looks a bit shady.
I also do not think we have “multiple community members” with this laptop on the forum to confirm it works as expected in sophisticated cases users face.
The owners of NovaCustom NV41 Series are not providing enough information about their laptop and do not reply to questions asked. Does not look good to me.
I have not seen really detailed report for NovaCustom NV41 Series, only HCL and some praising comments that everything works from the product owner.
I think if I had it I would have found issues with proper testing and different use cases.
So, for me personally NovaCustom NV41 Series is a less reliable than modern Thinkpad T16 Gen 1 that I know more about. So if I had a choice which one to take - I am not sure that I would go with the certified NovaCustom NV41. At least not until more information is provided by real buyers on the forum.
The only practical advantage of NovaCustom NV41 Series that I see is coreboot support. I am not sure how important it would be for me personally, but for the majority of users it probably does not matter. That is why coreboot is not a requirement for the recommended list, as we see there are models without it in the list.
I mistyped, in “half” of cases. And in cases the fix is - suspend and resume again. It is advice from Arch wiki, so I do not think that the bug is Qubes OS related. Note that on Kubuntu the touchpad is broken completely after suspend with no recovery, and this laptop is CERTIFIED by Ubuntu officially.
About working on R4.2: I do not know. I think it will be fix in GNU/Linux upstream eventually.
So, we currently have 1 laptop on the recommended list that can be bought new nowadays (I do not take into account all old models with old generation Intel CPUs).
And this 1 laptop lacks basic information what is really working and what is not, no proper and deep testing reported by any forum user. And the seller is not providing additional information about USB controllers and does not answer questions.
And we also have no hope to add any additional modern laptops to the list because there are no S3 mode on modern laptops except several Thinkpads that require workarounds.
I think, under these circumstances such list is not serving the purpose of its existence, and nobody should make a choice solely based on it. I would prefer to buy a modern laptop that is recommended by Qubes OS users requiring multiple workarounds instead of making choice between 1 model that is not properly tested by community. Maybe the list approach should be reconsidered?
I support @moonlitOrca’s intention and logic behind their proposal.
Oh, I forgot about Purism. OK, 2 modern laptops, both have limited market (not mass market like Thinkpads), both not sold world-wide (thus, too expensive to buy online).
Purism also have 1 USB controller and no keyboard nor mouse internally connected to PS/2, like Thinkpad T16 and some other Thinkpads have (if I am not mistaken).
Thanks for the information! It is great that the Team put effort to fix something for NovoCustom NV41. But still, no real forum users, no long-time users (device is too new, of course) and, the most of all, no users who shared the experience and problems they have. For me personally it is hard to recommend it under such conditions.
I mean the certification is great, but I would like to see some detailed report and information about USB controllers, PS/2 input and other stuff.
Yes, I did read through the requirements before posting, and the Framework (11th gen at least, since that’s what I can speak for directly) requires only one thing to meet them all in Qubes OS 4.2: the kernel argument mem_sleep_default=deep in order to enable S3 sleep (but I think that every laptop requires that for S3 sleep, so that’s not a workaround, right?),
To make everything work in 4.1 correctly, it needs the above mentioned kernel argument, but also a later kernel than shipped with the original 4.1 ISO for both Xen and Linux (something from the last year). Again, I don’t think that’s a workaround since every recent computer has the same requirement, and the kernels update in Qubes OS automatically. The only potential problem is if the original Qubes 4.1 ISO is used to install from more than a year ago and then one would need to update to kernel latest (or something newer than the disc) in order to get the AX210 wifi to operate correctly in order to get the updates.
Install for both 4.1 and 4.2 proceeds without workarounds (and 4.2 doesn’t even require a newer kernel)
Graphics, audio, and suspend work perfectly with the kernel argument (and 4.2 doesn’t need a newer kernel)
RAM slots are not soldered and can host as much RAM as 64GB
No ps/2 port, but that’s not required for laptops on the list, I believe.
Readily available for purchase and growing in popularity
I am happy to work with any community members to confirm things, as needed. I don’t have experience with the latest generation of Framework (13th Gen), but all the hardware is identical except the mainboard chipset and CPU, and so I do know almost everything should work. The latest HCL report for the 13th gen seems to say the same. Everything works as long as the kernel argument for deep sleep is added (Framework Laptop 13th Gen, Intel - #3 by b34)
I am just trying to honestly help and contribute to a project I value and care about, and I really think the Framework series presents one of the best Qubes OS options that exists at this time for latest hardware and nice design and upgradability. Plus it seems a number of forum members use it so there would be at least some support for new users to be had, and that’s always helpful too.
separate outdated (old, sold-only-used) laptops to the separate list.
while the list is reasonably small it will be great to modify USB controllers column. Because 3 in it means nothing. It can be the same as 1 if keyboard, wifi, mouse, bluetooth and USB ports are on a single controller. Additional information is required. At least for modern laptops.
I also propose to add column PS/2 keyboard/mouse. Because it is very important in Qubes OS.
And Wifi being a separate PCI device and not connected to USB is also very important.
If we take this amount of properties then we, maybe, can reconsider the requirements of being added to the recommended list and consider models provided by @moonlitOrca , @augsch, me and other users objectively and deeper.
I had no idea that ps/2 ports were still on some laptops! Thanks for pointing this out. There is not one on the Framework computers for sure though. They support USB C and USB A for peripherals and an integrated headphone jack as the only non-swappable port (the Framework laptops support swapping all the ports for things such as HDMI, DisplayPort, SD card reader, etc.) It s a very cool system.
No, I am not talking about physical connectors, not about real PS/2 ports on laptop case. But about how it is connected inside. Thinkpad T16 Gen 1 has both keyboard and trackpoint connected in the way that if sys-usb hangs, keyboard still works flawlessly. Because those are not connected internally via USB at all (unlike touchpad) but in some different way, probably PS/2. Maybe your Framework has the same.
The NV41 is certified, which means functionality is tested and ensured by the dev team. It is also available from Nitrokey, which might be more responsive to your inquires.
I guess you are in a first world nation with plenty of disposable income and need to have brand new shiny hardware. Good for you.
Other people might have other needs and perspectives. Some (like me) might find it intolerable to run ME and rather take a hit in performance, some might not have the budget or opportunity to buy a new computer. This has been discussed many times.
You are imposing your needs and perceptions on everybody. Others (like me) might think X230 and T430 are the only acceptable choices. In fact, we have four tiers of hardware choices for users to choose from:
(1&2) are for users who need a reasonably secure laptop now and don’t have the time, will or skill to troubleshoot and apply workarounds. (3) is for folks like you: able to reason about their requirements, making an informed decision and then do what’s need to make it work and (4) is for the brave
I was not saying that old 10+ years laptops should be removed from the list, just in case you misunderstood me that way. I proposed them to be separated similar to what @fsflover proposed before.
I am concerned about modern versions of laptops in the recommended list. It has 2 options that are not easy to buy world-wide because those are not mass market options.
, though it is something they have stated publicly they would like to support and likely will when AMD OpenSIL comes to fruition.