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What’s the best way to start installing Linux on a ThinkPad T14 Gen 2?

August 11, 2026 4 answers
Asked by MapleOrbit42
I have a Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 2 with a Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD. I'm interested in installing Linux but I'm not sure where to begin. Linux Mint seems like a beginner-friendly option, although I'd appreciate recommendations for other suitable distributions as well as a reliable step-by-step installation process. I'd also like to know what I should check before replacing or dual-booting with Windows, especially regarding software compatibility.
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Answers

CopperMango63
Before wiping Windows, make sure the applications you depend on are available. LibreOffice and similar programs can handle many Microsoft Office files, but documents with complex formatting, macros, or heavy collaboration features may not behave exactly the same. Adobe applications and some specialized Windows-only programs can be difficult or impossible to replace, so test your workflow first.
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QuietHarbor19
A Ventoy USB drive makes trying different distributions easy: install Ventoy on a flash drive, copy the ISO files onto it, and boot from the drive. You can test several live images and choose the desktop environment you prefer, such as Cinnamon, KDE, GNOME, or XFCE. Depending on the distribution and firmware settings, you may need to adjust Secure Boot or Fast Boot, so follow the distro’s documentation rather than guessing.
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RiverPebble8
If you still need Windows-only software, dual-booting is an option. You could reserve part of the SSD for Windows and install Linux in the remaining space, then choose the operating system when the laptop starts. This is often more reliable than trying to run demanding applications such as ArcGIS or Power BI through compatibility layers.
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VelvetCedar7
Linux Mint is a solid beginner choice, but Ubuntu, Fedora, and openSUSE should also work well on that ThinkPad. The most important step is to read the official installation guide for whichever distribution you choose. Back up your files first, then create a bootable USB installer and test the live environment before installing. That lets you check Wi-Fi, audio, display brightness, suspend, and other hardware without changing the internal drive.
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