Lenovo · 2021 · end of life
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9
The lightest serious Linux laptop you can buy used for around 620 dollars: 1.13 kg, 16:10 panel, working fingerprint, Tiger Lake that handles dev work but not heavy compiles. s2idle-only standby is the one tax. Our pick for a cheap travel ThinkPad.
Compiled from public sources and community data, not hands-on tested. What that means.
Best on fedora. Confidence: high
Scores
Specs
| CPU | Intel Core i7-1165G7 |
|---|---|
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe (integrated) |
| RAM | 16 GB (soldered) |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Screen | 14" 1920x1200 @ 60Hz |
| Weight | 1.13 kg |
| Battery (real) | ~8 h |
Linux compatibility
- fedora Out of the box
- Wi-Fi
- works
- Bluetooth
- works
- Fingerprint
- works
- Webcam
- works
- Audio
- needs tweak
- Suspend
- needs tweak
- ubuntu-lts Out of the box
- Wi-Fi
- works
- Bluetooth
- works
- Fingerprint
- works
- Webcam
- works
- Audio
- needs tweak
- Suspend
- needs tweak
fedora: Tiger Lake plus Intel AX210 Wi-Fi, well trodden ground. Fingerprint pairs with fprintd out of the box. The two known annoyances: this is s2idle only (no S3), so standby drain is real, and the speakers want an EasyEffects profile to not sound thin. ArchWiki: ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9) →
ubuntu-lts: 22.04 and 24.04 install clean. Same s2idle standby drain to budget for if you close the lid for hours.