This page lists and links to pages about laptops, notebooks, and portable computers that work well with NetBSD, are of interest to developers, and are standardized or easy to find. For i386-based netbooks also see . [[!toc ]] --- # Generic laptop support ## Graphics NetBSD 9.0 supports Intel integrated graphics up to Kaby Lake, Nvidia graphics up to Maxwell, and AMD graphics up to GCNv1. Anything newer than this will work, but will use `llvmpipe` instead of hardware acceleration for OpenGL. The support includes connecting external monitors over HDMI, DisplayPort, and DisplayPort over USB-C. For the Intel driver, there may be slight graphical corruptions when using X11 without a compositor. Xfce/MATE include their own compositors, but lightweight window managers can benefit from having `picom` running. ## CPU frequency adjustment On most ACPI and some non-ACPI laptops, the `sysutils/estd` package can be used to automatically adjust the CPU frequency depending on system load, and potentially prolong battery life. This modifies the `frequency` variables exposed by [[!template id=man name="sysctl" section="8"]]. ## Suspend On ACPI systems, suspend-to-RAM is supported through `sysctl hw.acpi.sleep.state=3`. This can be triggered through various events (such as lid close) with [[!template id=man name="powerd" section="8"]]. Suspend on NetBSD currently seems to work best on Thinkpads. ## Input Many x86 laptops use Synaptics touchpads over an emulated PS/2 interface, which is supported through [[!template id=man name="pms" section="4"]], with various adjustable Synaptics-specific sysctl variables. ## WiFi Many x86 laptops with Intel processors will have WiFi cards supported by the [[!template id=man name="iwm" section="4"]] driver, or [[!template id=man name="iwn" section="4"]] for older models. Atheros 11n miniPCIe cards are supported by the [[!template id=man name="athn" section="4"]] driver. See the [[!template id=man name="afterboot" section="8"]] man page for details on connecting to a WPA network. For connecting to a non-WPA network, simply specify `ssid networkname up` in [[!template id=man name="ifconfig" section="8"]], and make sure [[!template id=man name="dhcpcd" section="8"]] is running. USB 11n WiFi adapters such as [[!template id=man name="urtwn" section="4"]] and [[!template id=man name="run" section="4"]] can also be used, and most/all generic USB ethernet adapters are also well supported. For a fairly complete list, see [[!template id=man name="usb" section="4"]]. Unfortunately, WiFi hardware is not particularly standardized compared to most other aspects of modern laptops. ## Audio Essentially all modern x86 laptops use the [[!template id=man name="hdaudio" section="4"]] driver. In the case that switching between speakers and the headphone port is not handled automatically by the hardware, the `dacsel` [[!template id=man name="mixerctl" section="1"]] variable can be modified. --- # IBM / Lenovo The [[!template id=man name="thinkpad" section="4"]] driver provides support for various Thinkpad-specific sensors and function keys. A number of NetBSD developers use Thinkpads to hack on NetBSD and for everyday usage. ## ThinkPad T22 Works perfect (sound, display, all devices, infrared port not tested). ## ThinkPad T61 Used it since NetBSD 4.x. With Intel GMA, X works great. Cardbus port doesn't work properly. Expresscard not tested/tried. ## ThinkPad X60s Everything works. ## ThinkPad X41 Works fine (sound, display, all devices, bluetooth, modem not tested). Standby is broken for me in -current (~2012-01-12) but worked in 5.1. ## ThinkPad X61s Everything works. Requires `PCI_BUS_FIXUP` and `PCI_ADDR_FIXUP` [[!template id=man name="options" section="4"]]. ## Thinkpad X201 Running -current since March 2011. Working graphics (with the vesa driver), audio, trackpoint, wired and wireless LAN. Does not wake up after suspend (drives spin up but the display stays black and the LED indicating a sleep state stays lit). ## Thinkpad X220 From user reports, in NetBSD 9.0: * Video acceleration works, but when using `xf86-video-intel` (the default), it's advisable to set `Option "AccelMethod" "uxa"` in `xorg.conf`. * Ethernet is supported through the [[!template id=man name="wm" section="4"]] driver. * WiFi is supported through the [[!template id=man name="iwn" section="4"]] driver. * Suspend and resume work. ## Thinkpad X230 From user reports, in NetBSD 9.0: * Ethernet is supported through the [[!template id=man name="wm" section="4"]] driver. * WiFi is supported through the [[!template id=man name="iwn" section="4"]] driver. ## Thinkpad X250 Nearly perfect. Running NetBSD 9.0 and -current since 2019. * Accelerated graphics with the i915 driver. Connecting externals displays works with the miniDP and VGA ports. * SD card reader is supported through the [[!template id=man name="rtsx" section="4"]] driver. * Ethernet is supported through the [[!template id=man name="wm" section="4"]] driver. * WiFi is supported through the [[!template id=man name="iwm" section="4"]] driver. * For the extra trackpoint buttons to work correctly, needs a patch to synaptics.c that is in -current and will be in 9.1. Tapping and the clickpad have always been fine. * Brightness buttons do not work in 9 by default. You can bind them to xrandr in your window manager. * Webcam will depend on upcoming xhci isochronous pipe support. * To record from the internal mic, set `mixerctl -w record.source=ADC02` * Wakes up after suspend. I have mine set to suspend on lid close with powerd. ## Thinkpad X260 Likely very similar to the X250. From user reports, in NetBSD 9.0: * SD card reader is supported through the [[!template id=man name="rtsx" section="4"]] driver. * Ethernet is supported through the [[!template id=man name="wm" section="4"]] driver. * WiFi is supported through the [[!template id=man name="iwm" section="4"]] driver. * For the extra trackpoint buttons to work correctly, needs a patch to synaptics.c that is in -current and will be in 9.1. Tapping and the clickpad have always been fine. --- # PINE64 A number of NetBSD developers use Pinebooks to hack on NetBSD and for everyday usage. Pinebook and Pinebook Pro do not use ACPI, so certain aspects are different compared to x86 laptops. ## Pinebook (Allwinner A64) From user reports to port-arm@, in NetBSD 9.0: * [[!template id=man name="uvideo" section="4"]] webcam works. * External WiFI adapters can be used. Support for the internal WiFi - after WiFi system rework? * Plugging in external monitors works via the HDMI port. * The CPU frequency can be adjusted with `sysctl machdep.cpufreq.*`. * Mesa llvmpipe is currently used for 3D/OpenGL. ## Pinebook Pro * [[!template id=man name="uvideo" section="4"]] webcam works. * Internal Broadcom WiFi is supported via the [[!template id=man name="bwfm" section="4"]] driver in 9_STABLE. External adapters may still be more stable. * The CPU frequency can be adjusted automatically with `estd` or with `sysctl machdep.cpufreq.*`. * The display backlight can be adjusted with `sysctl`. * Mesa llvmpipe is currently used for 3D/OpenGL. * Connecting external monitors does not currently work through USB-C.