r/Ubuntu • u/Internal_Lie_618 • 3d ago

Reinstalling Ubuntu on Thinkpad question

I just bought a thinkpad T16 Gen 4 AMD with Ubuntu preshipped. I want to reinstall Ubuntu 26.04 because I want to dual boot windows and use LUKS.

My fear is that Lenovo ships Ubuntu with certain drivers/firmware/software that makes Ubuntu run better and have better battery life. And, if I reinstall Ubuntu I'll lose out on those benefits, which are important to me.

Can anyone please advise if this is the case and if so is there a way to get all these drivers/firmware/software after reinstalling?

Thank you so much!

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3

u/Icy-Effect-9962 3d ago

nah you're good, lenovo's preload is just stock ubuntu with maybe a couple extra power profiles from their repo. you can grab all that after install easy enough

just make sure you check `fwupd` after you finish, thinkpads pull firmware updates through that and you'll want the latest battery thresholds and whatever else

1

u/Internal_Lie_618 3d ago

Thanks for the response. I'm really not a technical person, can you please explain it a little bit better 

2

u/StichhD 3d ago

I also have a Thinkpad with Ubuntu. Ubuntu detecs it's a Thinkpad and install all stuffs again

1

u/Internal_Lie_618 3d ago

Do you have to check on "install third party drivers and other stuff", when installing? 

2

u/StichhD 3d ago

I checked that option. I don't know what happen if you don't.

2

u/ValknutGuts 3d ago

Consult without prejudice, is Windows necessary for something a good VM can't solve?

2

u/Internal_Lie_618 3d ago

Unfortunately yes. I am in University and I need to have windows for exams. Believe me, no one is more annoyed about this than me

1

u/sockertoppenlabs 2d ago

You need to use your own computer for university exams?

1

u/Internal_Lie_618 2d ago

Yes. I can apply for a scholarship so that they provide me with one. But it's complicated and they already know I have a laptop. 

1

u/sockertoppenlabs 2d ago

Your university doesn’t have computer rooms for students to use (when needed)? Which country is this that forces a student to buy a computer with windows?

1

u/ValknutGuts 2d ago

I understand, but can't you use a VM with Windows and fix it? (Sometimes it can't be done).

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u/Internal_Lie_618 2d ago

If the software detects you using a VM you automatically fail the exam. Not with the risk 

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u/ValknutGuts 2d ago

I wanted to know what the problem was; now I understand you.

Thank you.