Lenovo reportedly blocking Linux on Windows 10 Signature Edition PCs (updated)

[Updated with comment from Lenovo] If you're looking for a new PC to install Linux onto, you might want to give Lenovo's Windows 10 powered Signature PCs a wide berth.

According to Reddit user BaronHK, it is impossible to install Linux onto the Signature Edition Lenovo Yoga 900 ISK2 UltraBook because the SSD is locked in a proprietary RAID mode that Linux doesn't support, and that even Windows 10 cannot use without an Lenovo driver being downloaded first.

Evidence -- in the form of owner reports and reviews -- has been uncovered which suggests that the Yoga 900S, and Yoga 710S are locked in a similar manner.

To confuse matters further, there is a post from a Lenovo "product expert" claiming that Signature Edition PCs have to lock out Linux users because Microsoft says so.

Signature Edition PCs differ from other systems because they are free from the usual bloatware or other junk that clutter up regular PCs. If you're looking for a "clean" PC then the Signature Edition systems are indeed worth a look (well, if you're happy with Windows 10 at any rate).

So, what's going on here?

On first blush this seems to be an issue relating to how Lenovo has configured the systems. I can't find any evidence to suggest that Microsoft is trying to "lock" Signature Edition PCs to Windows 10, or making any moves to shut the door on Linux users (using some proprietary RAID mode that even requires Windows 10 users to download and install a separate driver from Lenovo would seem to be an odd way to achieve this).

This alone suggests that the problem is related to how the systems have been configured by Lenovo, and not some shady deal foisted upon them by Microsoft.

Additionally, it's hard to believe that a random Lenovo representative posting on a forum would know of any deals struck between the OEM and Microsoft regarding locking out Linux users.

It also doesn't help that a number of posts relating to this matter on Lenovo's support forum appear to have been locked, edited, and deleted.

If you are looking for a system that supports Linux then why not go for the system that Linus Torvalds calls his favorite -- the Dell XPS 13.

We've reached out to Microsoft and Lenovo for comment on this matter, and will update if/when we receive an answer.

[UPDATE 9-21-16 7:25 PDT: Comment from Lenovo:

"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 -https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/pd031426. Unsupported models will rely on Linux operating system vendors releasing new kernel and drivers to support features such as RAID on SSD."

So no Microsoft involvement, just a lack of drivers on Linux's part. Although Lenovo could offer a method for owners to switch the SSD from RAID to AHCI mode to improve compatibility.]

[UPDATED 9-21-16 18:21 PDT: Similar comment from Microsoft:

"Lenovo recently adoptedRAID on SSDs in certain product configurations, which require additional steps to support all system features. More information can be found on their support page; https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/pd031426".

Recent claims about software installation issues related to Microsoft Signature are inaccurate."]

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