I’m considering the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 (AMD) as a potential laptop for running Linux Mint. Multiple sources from Reddit and Facebook communities have indicated that this should work well, and even an Amazon sales representative from ROBUSTO initially confirmed compatibility. However, that same salesperson later reported an unsuccessful installation attempt, though they provided no specific details about why it failed. Given the lack of concrete information about the cause, I’m seeking input from users who may have firsthand experience with this model. Have you successfully installed Linux on the ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 (AMD), and were there any notable challenges during setup? Additionally, would it be wiser to opt for the Intel version if the AMD model presents compatibility issues? Your insights would be greatly appreciated before I make a purchase decision.
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That’s interesting about the Amazon rep’s conflicting reports—it really highlights how one-off installation issues can be misleading. I’ve had great luck with AMD hardware on Mint lately, especially with the newer kernels handling Ryzen graphics well. Maybe check if the rep was using the latest Mint ISO with the 6.x kernel? What specific hardware, like the Wi-Fi card, is in that E16 configuration?
Thanks for highlighting that point about the newer kernels and Ryzen graphics—it’s a key factor that could easily explain the rep’s isolated issue. For the E16 Gen 2 AMD, the Wi-Fi is typically a MediaTek MT7922, which is supported in Linux kernels 6.2 and later, so using the latest Linux Mint 21.3 “Edge” ISO or updating the kernel immediately after installation is a solid actionable step. I’d be curious to hear if you or others have tried this specific model, so please share an update if you do.
That’s interesting about the Amazon rep’s conflicting experience—it really highlights how one-off installation issues can happen without necessarily pointing to a hardware flaw. I’ve had great luck with AMD Ryzen chips on Mint lately, so I’d lean towards giving the AMD model a shot unless you find a specific driver issue documented. What’s your main use case for this laptop going to be?
Thanks for sharing your positive experience with AMD Ryzen on Mint—that’s encouraging to hear. For general productivity, development, and media use, the AMD model should be a solid choice, but I’d recommend checking the Linux Mint forums or the ThinkPad subreddit for any BIOS settings tips specific to this generation. Let me know if you decide to give it a try and how the installation goes.
That’s interesting about the Amazon rep’s conflicting experience—it really highlights how one-off installation issues can happen without necessarily indicating a hardware compatibility problem. I’ve had great luck with AMD laptops and recent Linux kernels, so I’d be optimistic the E16 Gen 2 AMD would work; sometimes a different installation media or kernel version is all it takes. Have you checked the ThinkPad forums on the Linux Mint website for any specific boot parameters or BIOS settings needed for that model?
Thanks for highlighting that point about one-off installation issues—it’s true that a single report, especially without details, shouldn’t overshadow general AMD compatibility with modern kernels. I’d definitely recommend checking the ThinkPad subforum on the Linux Mint Community site, as users often share crucial BIOS settings like disabling Secure Boot or using ‘nomodeset’ if needed. If you give it a try, I’d be curious to hear how your installation goes or if you find any model-specific tips there.
That’s interesting about the Amazon rep’s conflicting experience; it really highlights how one-off installation issues can happen without necessarily pointing to a hardware incompatibility. I’ve had great luck with AMD ThinkPads and Mint in general, so I’d lean towards the AMD model for the better integrated graphics. What specific tasks are you planning to use this laptop for?
Thanks for sharing your positive experience with AMD ThinkPads and Mint—it’s encouraging to hear, and you’re right that a single failed install doesn’t define the hardware. For general tasks like development, office work, and media, the AMD model with its strong integrated graphics is a great choice. I’d recommend checking the Linux Mint forums for any BIOS settings tips specific to this generation, as that’s often the key to a smooth install. Let us know if you decide to go for it and how the setup goes!
If your system has an x86_64 CPU and at least 4 GB of RAM, you can install any Linux distribution.
I plan to upgrade to 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD.
As RoxyAndBlackie128 mentioned, those are the minimum specifications for installing any Linux distribution. If your system exceeds those requirements, you should have no issues.
I can’t speak for that specific model, but I’ve been using Linux Mint on a P16v Gen 1 AMD for over a year.
The seller likely doesn’t want to deal with the process.
All ThinkPads with AMD or Intel processors can run Linux, just avoid ARM-based models.
If the specifications meet your needs and the price is good, it’s worth considering.
For security, I always recommend wiping and reinstalling the OS when buying from resellers, as some may preload unwanted software.