BIOS Settings & NVMe Support for Opimus VII Laptop (Linux)

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StephenMyall

Member
I'm an intermediate user of Linux (Arch is my main distro). Currently I have a System 76 laptop and I have never had to deal with things like Secure Boot, UEFI etc however its time for an upgrade and I'm hoping to buy from PC Specialist. What attracted them to me was you could buy without an OS. My Spec is listed below.

In my written correspondence with PC Specialist they told me


  1. “With the new Optimus systems you may find that installing linux problematic” and....
  2. “Unfortunately Linux will not be able to be installed on this particular system as there is no driver support for it and also it doesn't have the required BIOS settings.”

I am confident that the components I have selected are supported in the Linux kernel i will be using but they told me 2 things that have put a doubt in my head.

So I called them...

They told me my function buttons will not work and they told me that NVMe cannot be switched off in the BIOS. That's fine by me as I have selected an SSD NVME SDD (see below) for my OS drive. I also know (or have read) that NVMe has been supported since the 3.9 kernel. I know where PC Specialist are coming from they don't support Linux therefore don't want to be responsible to Linux users.

My question is
Does anyone here have a machine where the NMVe being “always on” in the BIOS causes them a problem?
Do these drives work with Linux? (I don't have first hand experience).
Also...
Does anyone have issues with function keys not working?

My Main Specification

  • Optimus VII Laptop: 17.3" (1920x1080)
  • Intel i7 Quad Core Processor 6700HQ
  • 16GB HyperX Memory
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
  • 1TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD, SATA
  • M.2, PCIe NVMe SSD Drive 256GB SAMSUNG
  • No Operating System
 
Stephen M

Stephen M

Author Level
I have an Octane I and not had major problems, although have not found a way to get the backlit keyboard to change but it is a relaxing blue so not fussed and it is a bit of a fiddle to get finger print scanners working, although I don't use those either. I do not have an NVME SSD so cannot help there sorry but have read the same as you that Linux Kernel is fine with it. I think PCS need to cover themselves a bit with warnings because we live in a sue in all cases society with people trying to make a fast buck. I am running Ubuntu on my Octane and apart from the things mentioned and disabling UEFI to install the only other problem was the GPU (GTX970M) drivers, they were fine until I upgraded to 15.10, after that I had to swap over from the Linux X.org to the Nvidia driver, not exactly a big problem. There are other Linux users on here with newer machine so, hopefully, they will be able to offer some better help.
 
Stephen M

Stephen M

Author Level
Of those tried yes, all the progs I use via the Dash. If I get round to it I will email PCS and get some clarification on the warnings as they do seem a bit over the top.
 
S

StephenMyall

Member
Stephen M said:
Of those tried yes, all the progs I use via the Dash. If I get round to it I will email PCS and get some clarification on the warnings as they do seem a bit over the top.
Click to expand...

I consulted a few of my trusted Linux forums and have been reassured to go ahead and buy from PC Specialist. The isues PC Specialist communicated to me issues are not real issues.

It leaves me scratching my head though regarding the PC Specialists approach to experienced Linux users.

There is a big market in the EU for compatible Linux machines (System 76 have it covered in the States but shipping and import costs to the EU don't make it possible for most user). It is easy to look up what components are supported by the Linux kernel. Its a shame that PC specialist do not embrace this. When I receive my machine I will do a review on my Linux website but more importantly I will share what warnings to ignore from PC Specialist.

PC Specialist to there credit are the best site in the EU for buying low to high end Linux PCs and laptops that are competitively priced. I know because I have been searching high and low for a long time
 
Stephen M

Stephen M

Author Level
Cheers, only had a quick look so far but should be useful. I stick with Ubuntu as I like the desk top and have got use to it but do try other distros as well. I think with PCS a lot of there Linux "problems" are time, they have a limited number of staff and it is simpler to put out a blanket statement about compatibility rather than research everything. They are a friendly and helpful bunch though and i am sure if we started collating data they would be happy with a Sticky at the top of the Linux forum with what does and does not work on it. Anyone wanting a Linux machine should be coming here, apart from the very few that come with it pre-installed, there are few other options and why waste 80 quid on the Windoze licence just to wipe it off as soon as the machine arrives.
 
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Mnemonic

Bronze Level Poster
Hi. I'm thinking about purchasing the Optimus VII to use with Ubuntu Linux. I don't plan on buying an M2 drive, just a normal 2.5inch SSD. Will it be possible to install Ubuntu on this? I've never had to deal with UEFI or "Secure Boot" before, so don't know anything about these.
 
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