USB-C monitor issues

nathanael0x4c

UPDATE: the issue only happens when the laptop is fully charged / reaches a full charge. This leads me to suspect that power delivery is somehow the culprit. Hmmmm...

I've been running Solus Budgie as my daily driver on a Thinkpad X1 Carbon 6th gen for a year now, and it's been rock solid-- all of the hardware* worked out of the box with no issues.

However, I recently purchased an HP Z27 4k external monitor to use with the device, and my luck has started to turn. I chose this monitor in particular because it connects over USB-C: I can plug one cable into my laptop to handle display, power delivery, and peripherals (mouse + KB). This setup works remarkably well, EXCEPT that every couple of minutes the display disconnects, and the screens flash/windows resize/"device connected" chimes ding repeatedly for several seconds before the setup resolves itself.

I've experimented with different PCIE ASPM and USB Autosuspend settings, and those don't seem to make any difference. I've also noticed that the display only seems to act up when I do something that changes what is rendered, i.e. navigating to a different website, opening up a new app, dragging a window from one screen to the other. I can't seem to find any behavior that will reliably reproduce the issue, however.

Here's the dmesg output from one such reconnect:
[ 1883.128363] usb 1-3: USB disconnect, device number 5 [ 1883.128365] usb 1-3.1: USB disconnect, device number 6 [ 1883.128366] usb 1-3.1.2: USB disconnect, device number 7 [ 1883.148821] usb 1-3.1.3: USB disconnect, device number 9 [ 1883.149092] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: remove, state 4 [ 1883.149103] usb usb4: USB disconnect, device number 1 [ 1883.149405] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: USB bus 4 deregistered [ 1883.149415] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: xHCI host controller not responding, assume dead [ 1883.149417] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: remove, state 4 [ 1883.149425] usb usb3: USB disconnect, device number 1 [ 1883.149717] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: Host halt failed, -19 [ 1883.149721] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: Host not accessible, reset failed. [ 1883.149836] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: USB bus 3 deregistered [ 1883.369471] pci_bus 0000:06: Allocating resources [ 1883.369505] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 08-3a] add_size 1000 [ 1883.369507] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff 64bit pref] to [bus 08-3a] add_size 200000 add_align 100000 [ 1883.369509] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff] to [bus 08-3a] add_size 200000 add_align 100000 [ 1883.369518] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 3b] add_size 1000 [ 1883.369520] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff 64bit pref] to [bus 3b] add_size 200000 add_align 100000 [ 1883.369529] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 3c-6f] add_size 1000 [ 1883.369531] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff] to [bus 3c-6f] add_size 400000 add_align 100000 [ 1883.369540] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 06-6f] add_size 4000 [ 1883.369544] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x4000] [ 1883.369545] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x4000] [ 1883.369546] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x4000] [ 1883.369547] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x4000] [ 1883.369552] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1883.369553] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1883.369557] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1883.369558] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1883.369561] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1883.369562] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1883.369563] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1883.369564] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1883.369566] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.369567] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.369568] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.369569] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.369570] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.369571] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.369573] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1883.369574] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1883.369576] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.369577] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.369579] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1883.369580] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1883.369582] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.369583] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.369584] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1883.369585] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1883.369588] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1883.369589] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1883.369590] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.369591] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1883.506266] usb 1-3: new high-speed USB device number 10 using xhci_hcd [ 1883.635705] usb 1-3: New USB device found, idVendor=03f0, idProduct=0169, bcdDevice=55.60 [ 1883.635711] usb 1-3: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0 [ 1883.635715] usb 1-3: Product: USB2.1 Hub [ 1883.635719] usb 1-3: Manufacturer: GenesysLogic [ 1883.636661] hub 1-3:1.0: USB hub found [ 1883.636922] hub 1-3:1.0: 2 ports detected [ 1883.934278] usb 1-3.1: new high-speed USB device number 11 using xhci_hcd [ 1884.041296] usb 1-3.1: New USB device found, idVendor=03f0, idProduct=0169, bcdDevice=55.71 [ 1884.041303] usb 1-3.1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0 [ 1884.041307] usb 1-3.1: Product: USB2.1 Hub [ 1884.041310] usb 1-3.1: Manufacturer: GenesysLogic [ 1884.042831] hub 1-3.1:1.0: USB hub found [ 1884.043154] hub 1-3.1:1.0: 4 ports detected [ 1884.342350] usb 1-3.1.2: new full-speed USB device number 12 using xhci_hcd [ 1884.371958] [drm] Reducing the compressed framebuffer size. This may lead to less power savings than a non-reduced-size. Try to increase stolen memory size if available in BIOS. [ 1884.448449] usb 1-3.1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=1af3, idProduct=0001, bcdDevice= 0.01 [ 1884.448456] usb 1-3.1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0 [ 1884.448460] usb 1-3.1.2: Product: mouse [ 1884.448463] usb 1-3.1.2: Manufacturer: Kingsis Peripherals [ 1884.453715] input: [mouse] as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-3/1-3.1/1-3.1.2/1-3.1.2:1.0/0003:1AF3:0001.0008/input/input26 [ 1884.453949] hid-generic 0003:1AF3:0001.0008: input,hidraw0: USB HID v1.11 Mouse [mouse] on usb-0000:00:14.0-3.1.2/input0 [ 1885.491422] usb 1-3.1.3: new full-speed USB device number 13 using xhci_hcd [ 1885.592846] usb 1-3.1.3: New USB device found, idVendor=2516, idProduct=0047, bcdDevice=11.08 [ 1885.592853] usb 1-3.1.3: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0 [ 1885.592857] usb 1-3.1.3: Product: keyboard [ 1885.592860] usb 1-3.1.3: Manufacturer: Cooler Master Technology Inc. [ 1885.605148] input: Cooler Master Technology Inc. MasterKeys Pro L White as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-3/1-3.1/1-3.1.3/1-3.1.3:1.0/0003:2516:0047.0009/input/input27 [ 1885.658209] hid-generic 0003:2516:0047.0009: input,hidraw1: USB HID v1.11 Keyboard [keyboard] on usb-0000:00:14.0-3.1.3/input0 [ 1885.660015] hid-generic 0003:2516:0047.000A: hiddev0,hidraw2: USB HID v1.11 Device [keyboard] on usb-0000:00:14.0-3.1.3/input1 [ 1885.662454] input: [keyboard] as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-3/1-3.1/1-3.1.3/1-3.1.3:1.2/0003:2516:0047.000B/input/input28 [ 1885.714655] input: [keyboard] as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-3/1-3.1/1-3.1.3/1-3.1.3:1.2/0003:2516:0047.000B/input/input29 [ 1885.714992] input: [keyboard] as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-3/1-3.1/1-3.1.3/1-3.1.3:1.2/0003:2516:0047.000B/input/input30 [ 1885.715349] hid-generic 0003:2516:0047.000B: input,hidraw3: USB HID v1.11 Keyboard [keyboard] on usb-0000:00:14.0-3.1.3/input2 [ 1888.285584] pci 0000:3b:00.0: [8086:15d4] type 00 class 0x0c0330 [ 1888.285629] pci 0000:3b:00.0: reg 0x10: [mem 0xec000000-0xec00ffff] [ 1888.285764] pci 0000:3b:00.0: enabling Extended Tags [ 1888.285924] pci 0000:3b:00.0: supports D1 D2 [ 1888.285927] pci 0000:3b:00.0: PME# supported from D0 D1 D2 D3hot D3cold [ 1888.285986] pci 0000:3b:00.0: 8.000 Gb/s available PCIe bandwidth, limited by 2.5 GT/s x4 link at 0000:06:02.0 (capable of 31.504 Gb/s with 8 GT/s x4 link) [ 1888.286212] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: ASPM: current common clock configuration is broken, reconfiguring [ 1888.286313] pci_bus 0000:06: Allocating resources [ 1888.286353] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 08-3a] add_size 1000 [ 1888.286355] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff 64bit pref] to [bus 08-3a] add_size 200000 add_align 100000 [ 1888.286357] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff] to [bus 08-3a] add_size 200000 add_align 100000 [ 1888.286366] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 3b] add_size 1000 [ 1888.286367] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff 64bit pref] to [bus 3b] add_size 200000 add_align 100000 [ 1888.286377] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 3c-6f] add_size 1000 [ 1888.286378] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff] to [bus 3c-6f] add_size 400000 add_align 100000 [ 1888.286387] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 06-6f] add_size 4000 [ 1888.286399] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x4000] [ 1888.286402] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x4000] [ 1888.286404] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x4000] [ 1888.286405] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x4000] [ 1888.286410] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1888.286411] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1888.286414] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1888.286415] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1888.286417] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1888.286417] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1888.286418] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1888.286419] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1888.286421] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.286421] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.286422] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.286423] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.286424] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.286425] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.286427] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1888.286428] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1888.286429] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.286430] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.286432] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1888.286432] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1888.286433] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.286434] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.286435] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1888.286436] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1888.286438] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1888.286438] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1888.286439] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.286440] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1888.287322] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: xHCI Host Controller [ 1888.287330] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 3 [ 1888.288469] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: hcc params 0x200077c1 hci version 0x110 quirks 0x0000000200009810 [ 1888.288719] usb usb3: New USB device found, idVendor=1d6b, idProduct=0002, bcdDevice= 5.00 [ 1888.288720] usb usb3: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1 [ 1888.288721] usb usb3: Product: xHCI Host Controller [ 1888.288722] usb usb3: Manufacturer: Linux 5.0.7-114.current xhci-hcd [ 1888.288723] usb usb3: SerialNumber: 0000:3b:00.0 [ 1888.288886] hub 3-0:1.0: USB hub found [ 1888.288905] hub 3-0:1.0: 2 ports detected [ 1888.289386] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: xHCI Host Controller [ 1888.289389] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 4 [ 1888.289391] xhci_hcd 0000:3b:00.0: Host supports USB 3.1 Enhanced SuperSpeed [ 1888.289571] usb usb4: New USB device found, idVendor=1d6b, idProduct=0003, bcdDevice= 5.00 [ 1888.289572] usb usb4: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1 [ 1888.289573] usb usb4: Product: xHCI Host Controller [ 1888.289574] usb usb4: Manufacturer: Linux 5.0.7-114.current xhci-hcd [ 1888.289575] usb usb4: SerialNumber: 0000:3b:00.0 [ 1888.289689] hub 4-0:1.0: USB hub found [ 1888.289729] hub 4-0:1.0: 2 ports detected [ 1893.417372] pci_bus 0000:06: Allocating resources [ 1893.417403] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 08-3a] add_size 1000 [ 1893.417405] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff 64bit pref] to [bus 08-3a] add_size 200000 add_align 100000 [ 1893.417406] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff] to [bus 08-3a] add_size 200000 add_align 100000 [ 1893.417414] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 3b] add_size 1000 [ 1893.417415] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff 64bit pref] to [bus 3b] add_size 200000 add_align 100000 [ 1893.417423] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 3c-6f] add_size 1000 [ 1893.417424] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: bridge window [mem 0x00100000-0x000fffff] to [bus 3c-6f] add_size 400000 add_align 100000 [ 1893.417432] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: bridge window [io 0x1000-0x0fff] to [bus 06-6f] add_size 4000 [ 1893.417434] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x4000] [ 1893.417435] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x4000] [ 1893.417436] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x4000] [ 1893.417436] pcieport 0000:05:00.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x4000] [ 1893.417439] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1893.417440] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1893.417442] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1893.417443] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1893.417444] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1893.417445] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1893.417446] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1893.417446] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1893.417447] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1893.417448] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1893.417448] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1893.417449] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1893.417450] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1893.417450] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1893.417452] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1893.417452] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00400000] [ 1893.417453] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1893.417454] pcieport 0000:06:04.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1893.417455] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1893.417456] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1893.417457] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1893.417457] pcieport 0000:06:02.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000] [ 1893.417458] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: no space for [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1893.417459] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 14: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000] [ 1893.417460] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: no space for [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1893.417461] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 15: failed to assign [mem size 0x00200000 64bit pref] [ 1893.417462] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: no space for [io size 0x1000] [ 1893.417462] pcieport 0000:06:01.0: BAR 13: failed to assign [io size 0x1000]
Has anyone else experienced similar issues? Am I foolish for expecting USB-C monitors to work in Linux?

(* well, except the fingerprint reader, but I don't mind.)

SOLUSfiddler

Hi nathanael0x4c !
Would you mind sending me (us) the specs of your X1 Carbon - I'm thinking of getting one in the near future and am looking for some user experience with that Thinkpad model before I make my move.

Would you recommend getting or NOT getting a certain X1 model to run SOLUS on it?
In other words:
Mine would have to be a used one, so which one should I start hunting for?

Thanks!

SOLUSfiddler

nathanael0x4c

An update: based on web searches for "Thinkpad usb c issue," it appears that this may be a hardware/firmware problem with the laptop itself. Plugging in the laptop's USB-C power brick in addition to the USB-C monitor cable resolves the problem entirely, presumably by turning off the monitor's power-delivery feature (this is confirmed by the presence/disappearance of a very slight coil whine from the back of the monitor.) Not a one-cable solution, sadly, but still not too bad. (EDIT: how does one add the "solved" tag?)

SOLUSfiddler I have one of the higher-end 6th gen models-- 1440p 500nit screen, 16gb ram, i7-8550u processor. Big fan of the device-- great keyboard, nice glass trackpad (and I say that as a previous mac user), solid battery life, well-supported under Linux (...except for the fingerprint reader 🤣 ), thin and light but also plenty of I/O. The little sliding shutter that turns off/covers the webcam is a neat feature. I almost just picked up a 5th gen, but the hardware on the 6th gen was enough of an upgrade (esp. TB3/new CPUs) that I decided to delay my purchase for several months. Supposedly the 7th gen device is going to launch soon, which might make it easier to find used 6th-gens.

Solus runs great, with the caveat that there were a few "tweaks" or extras (e.g. configuring TLP and throttled) that were needed to get running smoothly. But that's kinda to-be-expected in Linux land 😛 Lenovo has also pushed several firmware/BIOS updates, for which there is likely a way to install through Linux but which I personally manage by booting into an external Windows partition (on an SSD over USB) and using the official "Lenovo Vantage" app. YMMV there.

SOLUSfiddler

nathanael0x4c
Thanks for your reply!

I shall start searching for 6th gen X1's, so thanks for the hint! The fingerprint readers on my Thinkpads haven't worked at all, no matter which software I tried to get it to run with. So, I'm not that worried about that, don't need the fingerprint reader anyway.

As for the SOLVED tag:
Just ask the admins of this forum to add it, we users can't add it.

As for the firmware/BIOS updates by LENOVO:
They are great, you can just copy your model's version off their website and follow the Linux guide on how to install it. It's really simple, no Windows required at all!

Have a fab day!

SOLUSfiddler

nathanael0x4c