Installing Debian 6.0 (squeeze) on a ThinkPad W520
Installation
You should set the graphics mode as in the Video section below. The Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 need proprietary firmware, I therefore recommend to use an iso image with the propretary firmware. Moreover the Intel Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) PCI-Express is not supported by kernel 2.6.32.
Video
Three option are given in the BIOS: - Integrated (the integrated Intel card) - Discrete (the NVIDIA Quadro 2000M, in my case, or the NVIDIA Quadro 1000M) - NVIDIA Optimus ( use both card for more power efficient system)
The best choice would be Optimus but unfortunately is not supported by Nvidia in linux. There is a project to support this thecnology on linux called bumblebee (with a debian specific branch called debumblebee). Installing this software enables to run the Intel card as main card and to run specific applications through the Nvidia card. When testing glxgears with the Intel card the result was 50 FPS and when using the Nvidia card through debublebee the output was 2000 FPS. Unfortunately is impossible to use an external monitor (only tested with VGA) and the USB 3.0 on the back of the laptop is not working unless the Nvidia card is activated through debumblebee. With "Integarted" selected is impossible to connect an external monitor (tested with VGA) and he USB 3.0 on the back of the laptop is not working. With "Discrete" is possible to connect an external monitor (tested with VGA but xrandr outputs also the Display Port). With this option you still have to chose nouveau or nvidia drivers. Both work well but the 3D acceleration is much better with nvidia (the output of glxgears is 700 vs 8000 FPS).
I set it to "Discrete".
Networking
Intel Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) PCI-Express is supported by kernel 2.6.38 or higher. The Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 need proprietary firmware. Bluetooth works out of the box.
Webcam
The integrated webcam need kernel 2.6.39 or higher
Finger print reader
Not working
