[Pcsclite-muscle] Lenovo laptops, GNU/Linux and smart card readers?

[Michael StJohns]

Hi -

I've been a Lenovo/IBM Thinkpad user for years.  Mostly the T series as 
that has had a) the most reliability, and b) most configurability.   
Also, I've been able to maintain the machines thanks to their pretty 
detailed maintenance manuals.

My current machine is a T560.  I was headed for the T590, but wanted a 
better graphics card and instead have a P1 Gen 2 waiting in the wings 
for me to be ready to move my work over.  Also, the P1 does not have the 
off-center keyboard of the T series: the T series includes a number pad, 
the P1 does not.  The T series uses a 65W charger, while the P1 uses a 
135watt charger.  Normal, not graphic heavy (e.g. not games) battery 
lifetime is exceptional.

Either of these is fairly light, and has a built-in battery.  I'd 
recommend buying a machine with the biggest processor you can afford, 
and the least amount of storage.  For memory, I'd select the soldered 
16Gb option, and then install an extra 16GB stick.  I'd buy the upgrade 
to the memory and storage separately and use the aforementioned 
maintenance manual as a guide for installing the upgrades.  Mainly 
because the markup on the memory and storage is so high relative to 
retail costs.

I think you're stuck with the Windows tax, but they may have a Debian 
option.  A french keyboard is doable.   I'd suggest adding the 
fingerprint reader in addition to the card reader.

Lastly, pick up the three year depot repair option.  The cost is pretty 
low, and allows you to ship your machine in for repairs if you don't 
want to do them yourself.


I hope that helps - Mike

ps - checking the X1 maintenance manual 
(https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/x1_carbon3_hmm_en_sp40g55065.pdf) 
seems to confirm the X1 does not support an integrated smart card reader.

On 8/30/2020 9:36 AM, Ludovic Rousseau wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Lenovo presented a talk at the latest Debian conference: Debconf 2020,
> last week.
> Lenovo wants to improve support of GNU/Linux distributions, including
> Debian, in their products.
>
> The talk presentation is at:
> https://debconf20.debconf.org/talks/67-lenovo-debian/
> The video is 67-lenovo-debian.webm at
> https://meetings-archive.debian.net/pub/debian-meetings/2020/DebConf20/
>
> Lenovo will propose a discount on their products for Debian Developers. Nice :-)
> I don't know yet what the discount will be. But as I am a Debian
> Developer I may buy a Lenovo laptop for the occasion.
>
> I never had a Lenovo laptop before.
> I know that people already reported issues with the Alcor Micro in the
> ThinkPad X1. For example Axel Braun in May 2020. I can't point to his
> email since the mailing archives from June 2018 to May 2020 are lost
> :-( http://lists.infradead.org/pipermail/pcsclite-muscle/
>
> My needs:
> - a big screen 15" or more
> - a good/high definition
> - a smart card reader (obviously)
> - a French keyboard mapping
> - no Windows tax if possible
>
> So I ask you for comments:
> - what Lenovo laptop should I buy?
> - do you have suggestions?
> - do you have comments on what I should select or avoid?
>
> I guess not all the Lenovo laptops have a smart card reader included.
> For example I tried to configure a "ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8" but I
> was not able to add a smart card reader or even know if this product
> comes with a smart card reader included by default.
> I am able to select a smart card reader for the "ThinkPad T15p Gen 1",
> "ThinkPad P53", and "ThinkPad P73". This list is not exhaustive.
>
> Thanks
>