Ubuntu on 2018 Vaio S

[siersmak]

Hello,

Anyone out there using Ubuntu on a 2018 Vaio S laptop?

Thanks

[cruzer001]

I run Ubuntu Budgie on my 2007 Sony Vaio. Does that count

What problems are you having? And what are you running, 10.04?

[siersmak]

Sorry, my signature was way out of date. I don't yet own a 2018 Vaio S but I'm considering buying one and I'd be putting 18.04 on it. I expect some initial minor trouble getting it installed, but I wonder if anyone can say they have had success with getting 18.04 or newer installed and running.

[cruzer001]

I see
I am of no real help then, but can suggest looking at the linux support offered for the components like drivers for the video and wifi.

I did a search on "sony vaio s linux" and got several hits. From what I see so far Linux is not a problem.

This was interesting
https://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/pdf/VAIO+Linux.pdf

Good Luck

[mörgæs]

For hardware this new you should not focus on 18.04. If it works you are lucky, if it doesn't then I suggest that you leave it and try the safe bet 19.04 (or 19.10, depending on your date of purchase).

[siersmak]

For hardware this new you should not focus on 18.04. If it works you are lucky, if it doesn't then I suggest that you leave it and try the safe bet 19.04 (or 19.10, depending on your date of purchase).

Thanks, good practical advice even if it isn't really what I wanted to hear. Last time I bought a Vaio laptop was 2011 and 10.04 would not install on it. We've been (painfully, at this point) running 11.10 on it since. I will try 18.04 but as you say I will likely have to put 19.04/19.10 on it, and I'll be sure to upgrade to 20.04 as soon as I can.

[CatKiller]

From a quick look at the specs there's nothing that stands out as too problematic. Intel graphics are well supported out of the box. I haven't been able to check who made the WiFi/Bluetooth chip: again, Intel ones are well supported, the support for others varies. The fingerprint sensor probably won't work.

FWIW, Dell sell laptops with Ubuntu preinstalled. You may find that you can get a laptop that's just as nice as the one you're interested in, but without the uncertainty.

[siersmak]

From a quick look at the specs there's nothing that stands out as too problematic. Intel graphics are well supported out of the box. I haven't been able to check who made the WiFi/Bluetooth chip: again, Intel ones are well supported, the support for others varies. The fingerprint sensor probably won't work.

FWIW, Dell sell laptops with Ubuntu preinstalled. You may find that you can get a laptop that's just as nice as the one you're interested in, but without the uncertainty.

Thanks for the comments, CatKiller. I should have done that myself!

[mörgæs]

If you have been running 11.10 until today you should consider yourself pwned.

I recommend that you get onto something supported as soon as possible, for example a clean install of X/Lubuntu 18.04.3 which should run great on 2011 hardware. After this, change all passwords which have ever been entered.