So, I have replaced my 320GB HDD, with 240GB ADATA SU650 SSD, just to max out the disk speed.

Here, I want to share my experience using Linux Mint.

Overall, everything works out of the box and the OS is really faster than Windows 11.

Hardware
1. WiFi can connect to my phone 5G hotspot.
2. Bluetooth can connect to my G604
3. Audio works perfectly. Internal speakers works.
4. Keyboard backlight works.
5. Screen resolution is detected correctly. Brightness control works.
6. DVD R / CR-RW works.

Software
1. Installed VLC, able to play MKV, MP4,MP3, M4A. Try some 4K MKV bluray ripped from ahem ahem, play perfectly.
2. Using the default Firefox browser, able to play 4K Youtube perfectly. ( I m kinda surprised actually ) , Pause and play instantly no delay whatsoever.

BTW, I have forgotten the T430s keyboard is so much nicer than my current T14s Gen4.

I will continue to use test Linux Mint in this machine, might report back if found any interesting later.

Update : 29 Nov 2025
I have switched from Linux Mint to Garuda Mokka now as I wanted to move from Debian to Arch.

Same as Mint, the hardware works perfectly as expected.

Software
1. VLC comes preinstalled in Garuda Mokka BUT it doesn't play MKV video out of the box. So I have manually installed the codecs to play it. Done so, now it works fine.
2. Uninstalled the default Firedragon browser, and installed Firefox. Works perfectly now.
3. Installed 4k Video Downloader Plus. Working fine.
4. Installed Spotify. Working fine.
5. Installed qBittorrent, Works fine.

So far Mokka feels as fast as Mint, and its nicer looking than Mint.

This post has been edited by piscesguy: Today, 06:53 AM

Linux Mint is kinda de-facto standard for Windows migrators, and for good reasons... I did installed Mint, years ago...but kinda felt tired of it...went disto hopping for awhile, before settling with pop os (current distro). I want to try some rpm based distro since our servers are running rocky linux and i used wrong commands sometimes. i might also try some other debian/ubuntu based distro, like tuxedo, parrot security (might want to learn some pentesting)

check date, already 28/11/2025. and now only u surprise about linux mint?

Too bad many of the current ThinkPad doesn't have the option to remove the Windows from the price. Used to be able to remove RM410! I don't use Windows and that is a big price to pay. I'm still on dual core PC & DDR3 running Ubuntu since 2013, upgrading many version in between. A PC lags mostly due to Windows, nothing more.

What's the benefit over Windows 10 or 11?

Lightweight .
Interface is identical

Obviously it's faster la...

8 GB RAM feels like a lot in Linux Mint.

I have installed Linux Mint in my Thinkpad x100e (netbook) back in 2010.

Yeah, that was a long time ago.

Where u get the driver?
The driver for win os is compatible with linux?

yes, until you use google chrome.

thats good.

chrome is only fast with 8GB RAM on chromeOS

Your thinkpad ram soldered or not? Wanna buy a used one few months back but all offered with soldered ram, dowan

Check your free memory.

If you are not using much swap, try enabling zram. if using swap, try zswap.

Oldfag here... Can it run Crysis ?

Smart move, I'll say..

Yup, it is a great alternative for older devices.

Makes older devices back alive again in terms of performance.

Majority of servers on this world including Google servers, Netflix servers, etc all of them run on some form of Linux.

I prefer Kubuntu or anything with KDE as file sharing is easy to set-up and only need 1 command line.

got better way while still using windows but no reward for providing the best solution so wont share since i noticed most technical pros here even have poor computer skills

try run nvdia tnt . voodoo3 . ati radeon . pci express. creative sound card see can o no.

So its only speed issue.

If I have win11 on i5gen 14 and 16gb ram. No point going to Linux Mint? Unless want to try something different. Right?