Skip to main content

Lenovo issues a new Yoga 2-in-1 BIOS enabling Linux following conspiracy accusations

Lenovo YOGA 900S
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Lenovo recently caved in to criticism over many of its Yoga 900 laptops that incorporated Windows 10 Signature Edition by releasing a BIOS update that allows owners to install Linux-based operating systems. The company was the target of scrutiny last month when customers accused it of conspiring with Microsoft by blocking the installation of non-Windows platforms at the firmware level.

The accusations started on a Reddit thread, with customers claiming that Lenovo teamed up with Microsoft to lock down Yoga 900 laptops by keeping the installed solid state drives in RAID mode via the BIOS. The problem is that the RAID mode relies on a proprietary SSD driver from Intel, which is compatible with Windows 10. That means if Linux is somehow installed on the device, the operating system can’t see the SSD because there is no available driver. AHCI, which is supported by Linux, is disabled in the firmware and can’t be changed.

Recommended Videos

AHCI is a standard created by Intel, and is short for Advance Host Controller Interface. It is hardware that enables software to communicate with devices that connect to the SATA interface, such as a hard drive or SSD. RAID, on the other hand, stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. It is another type of disk management for configuring one or more drives. These drives can be combined as one single volume (C:), used as two separate storage volumes (C: and D:), or set up in a primary/mirrored configuration (C: only).

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Typically, when OEMs like Lenovo and HP provide desktop and laptop devices with Windows already installed, they come with what is called “bloatware” or “crapware,” which is unnecessary software that takes up precious memory and hard drive space, bogging down the PC. Windows 10 Signature Edition is a clean install of Microsoft’s platform without any additional software from the OEM. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop retailers like Best But from including their own bloatware.

Lenovo responded to accusations of conspiring with Microsoft on a Lenovo Yoga 900 product review listed on Best Buy. The review was posted on September 20, and was followed by Lenovo’s response on September 21.

“To improve system performance, Lenovo is leading an industry trend of adopting RAID on the SSDs in certain product configurations. Lenovo does not intentionally block customers using other operating systems on its devices and is fully committed to providing Linux certifications and installation guidance on a wide range of products,” said a Lenovo Product Expert. “Unsupported models will rely on Linux operating system vendors releasing new kernel and drivers to support features such as RAID on SSD.”

A Lenovo Product Expert made a statement on another product review posted on Best Buy accusing Lenovo of  locking the BIOS to prevent Linux installs. According to this company representative, the system was locked due to Lenovo’s agreement with Microsoft to provide Windows 10 Signature Edition on the Yoga 900 devices.

Naturally, that statement added fuel to the fire. However, Lenovo recently denied that it intentionally blocked the installation of non-Microsoft platforms, and asserted that it could not confirm its relationship with the Product Experts who were providing feedback on Best Buy device reviews. The company followed its denial with a new BIOS to install on the Yoga 900-13ISK2 model that enables customers to use Linux on that specific device.

The release notes confirm that the new BIOS creates an AHCI SATA Controller Mode selection so that users can switch to AHCI and install Linux. The new BIOS is not meant for customers who plan on using the Windows 10 Signature Edition installation that came with the device.

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
Dell just slashed the price of the XPS 14 and XPS Desktop
The Dell XPS 14 open on a wooden table.

Whether you're on the hunt for desktop computer deals or laptop deals, you can't go wrong with Dell XPS deals. We've even found a pair of offers from Dell itself that should catch your attention! The Dell XPS Desktop 8960, originally priced at $1,510, is down to $1,060 for savings of $450, while the Dell XPS 14 9440 laptop, usually sold for $2,000, is on sale for $1,700 following a $300 discount. You can't go wrong with either of these bargains -- it's all a matter of deciding whether you want a desktop PC or you need the portability of a laptop.
Dell XPS Desktop 8960 -- $1,060 $1,510 30% off

The Dell XPS Desktop 8960 scored 4 out of 5 stars in our review, as it delivers flagship-level performance at a relatively affordable price. It's actually our top pick among the best desktop computers as it's the one that will work for the most people with its 14th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, and 16GB of RAM that's excellent for a Windows 11 Pro system, according to our guide on how much RAM you need. The desktop PC also comes with a 1TB SSD for storage, and all of this is packed in a chassis with an understated by attractive design that will match the aesthetic of any home office.

Read more
Market analyst confirms my worst fears about Nvidia GPUs
Two RTX 4060 graphics cards stacked on top of each other.

Hello again, GPU shortage -- we really didn't miss you. Although the RTX 50-series is technically here, the reality isn't that simple. The RTX 5090 and the RTX 5080 launched in January in a very limited capacity, and now, it looks like the other graphics cards in the lineup may have to pay the price. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known market analyst, the release dates for Nvidia's best graphics cards for gamers are being pushed back. Worse yet, the GPUs will likely sell out the moment they hit the shelves.

Kuo reports that chip supply constraints are causing shortages, but this is no news to us. The RTX 5090 sold out almost as soon as it hit the shelves, and some retailers report that we might have to wait until June for the GPUs to come back in stock. Meanwhile, scalpers are having a field day on eBay, selling the cards at a massive markup -- or even selling photos of the GPU at $2,000.

Read more
This 2013 movie predicted the future of technology. Here’s what came true
Her movie picture man looking at a computer screen

Twelve years have passed since Spike Jonze's hit film, Her, arrived in theaters. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, and Scarlett Johansson, Her is a sci-fi romantic drama set in a near-future Los Angeles. The movie follows the story of introverted writer Theodore Twombly (Phoenix), a man who leads a lonely life and writes letters for other people for a living. Everything changes when, on a whim, he decides to buy an advanced AI operating system referred to as OS1, later known as Samantha (Johansson).

Her is a moving story that weaves elements of love, connection, and what it means to be human with some quite bold predictions about what the future of technology could possibly look like. Upon watching Her in 2013, we gathered a list of things that may or may not one day become true based on the movie. Shockingly, several are now commonplace.

Read more