Lenovo expand enterprise desktop range preinstalled with Ubuntu

Today, Lenovo announced the expansion of its Linux program to include selected ThinkPad and ThinkStation PCs preinstalled with Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 LTS. Designed to be the daily drivers for developers across the globe, the ThinkPad and ThinkStation ranges, including the popular X1, can now be purchased globally, with Ubuntu preinstalled, removing any need for custom deployment services.

Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is certified across 30 of Lenovo’s ThinkPads and ThinkStations range, enabling developers focused on AI and software engineering to have access to their choice of hardware with their choice of operating system. 

Previously, Ubuntu required a custom deployment on Lenovo ThinkPads and ThinkStations. By providing an expanded device range preloaded with the OEM version of Ubuntu, Lenovo is removing end-user complexity for Linux users and introduces end-to-end web and phone support for platform-related issues. 

“Lenovo’s vision of enabling smarter technology for all really does mean ‘for all’. Our announcement of device certification in June was a step in the right direction to enable customers to more easily install Linux on their own. Our goal is to remove the complexity and provide the Linux community with the premium experience that our customers know us for. This is why we have taken this next step to offer Linux-ready devices right out of the box,” said Igor Bergman, Vice President of PCSD Software and Cloud at Lenovo.

Today’s announcement continues the long-standing partnership between Canonical and Lenovo, designed to offer developers and designers their ideal enterprise workstation based on input received from the community. Lenovo and Canonical’s engineering teams perform thousands of rigorous tests to ensure that Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and all of its subsystems work flawlessly from first boot. As with all LTS releases, Canonical will continue to provide security updates for up to ten years and perform regression testing throughout its lifecycle.

“Lenovo’s expansion of Ubuntu certified devices shows great commitment to open source and the Linux community. With data scientists and developers increasingly needing Linux for emerging workloads, this collaboration enables enterprises to equip their employees with the assurance of long-term stability, added security and simplified IT management,” said Dean Henrichsmeyer, VP of Engineering at Canonical.

Highlights of Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 LTS:

• NVIDIA GPUs work out the box with hardware drivers included by default
• Access to a library of popular apps including Visual Studio Code, Slack, Spotify, Plex and the JetBrains portfolio through the Snap Store
• The latest stable versions of the tools developers need – Ruby 2.7, Python 3.8 and GCC 9.3
• Get your workstation or laptop looking how you like it with a new theme and light/dark modes
• Control WiFi, wallpaper and application with ease, through a revamped Settings menu

The following Lenovo ThinkPad and ThinkStation devices will be available globally starting September 2020 and rolling out in phases through 2021:

• ThinkPad T14 (Intel and AMD)
• ThinkPad T14s (Intel and AMD)
• ThinkPad T15p
• ThinkPad T15
• ThinkPad X13
• ThinkPad X13 Yoga
• ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3
• ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8
• ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5
• ThinkPad L14
• ThinkPad L15
• ThinkPad X13 AMD
• ThinkPad P15s
• ThinkPad P15v
• ThinkPad P15
• ThinkPad P17
• ThinkPad P14s
• ThinkPad P1 Gen 3
• ThinkPad P53
• ThinkPad P1 Gen 2
• ThinkStation P340
• ThinkStation P340 Tiny
• ThinkStation P520c
• ThinkStation P520
• ThinkStation P720
• ThinkStation P920
• ThinkStation P620
  

For more information on what’s new in Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 LTS, check out the release notes for detailed information or our blog.

More information on pricing and availability of Lenovo’s ThinkPads and ThinkStations can be found on their website.