Hi all,
Here's a set up that works, and how to get wifi working (you need to upgrade the Linux Kernel from version 3.x to 4.x ):
I received my new laptop yesterday, having placed the order 10 days before for standard UK delivery.
Spec:
Linux Mint 17.3 64bit (based on Ubuntu 14.04lts) on Defiance II 17.3" with Core i7 6700HQ, GTX 970M, AC8260 wifi, Intel 2 chan hidef audio, soundblaster XFiMB3.
Installing Linux Mint:
I made the install USB on my Mac following http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-mac-osx
The laptop was ordered with no operating system, but actually had a 30 day trial of Windows10. When first turned on it cycled in the PCSpecialist pre-boot logo and stayed there. When I pressed F2 to get the BIOS it booted into Windows10. Within Windows in the security menu I selected 'recovery' and 'boot from usb'. This enabled it to boot from the Linux Mint USB.
Mint ran live from the usb, and installed alongside Windows10. The machine now boots into GRUB and lets you choose Mint, Windowsbootloader or BIOS.
What didn't 'just work' was the Wifi. Also Mint does not allow you to update some packages in Synaptic, you have to use Software Updater. I ran this twice with the laptop plugged to the broadband router by ethernet.
Getting Wifi to work:
To get Wifi working I had to upgrade to Linux kernel version 4.2 by using Synaptic to install these packages
linux-headers-generic-lts-wily_4.2.0.27.21_amd64.deb
linux-headers-4.2.0-27-generic_4.2.0-27.32~14.04.1_amd64.deb
linux-headers-4.2.0-27_4.2.0-27.32~14.04.1_all.deb
linux-generic-lts-wily_4.2.0.27.21_amd64.deb
linux-image-generic-lts-wily_4.2.0.27.21_amd64.deb
linux-image-4.2.0-27-generic_4.2.0-27.32~14.04.1_amd64.deb
linux-image-extra-4.2.0-27-generic_4.2.0-27.32~14.04.1_amd64.deb
linux-firmware_1.127.20_all.deb
This is because the default kernel is 3.19 which does not support firmware version 13. See pilot6's answer here http://askubuntu.com/questions/729212/install-intel-ac-8260-wireless-drivers-offline
Now Wifi works
and I'm a happy bunny !
BlueTooth and Audio also work.
Here's a set up that works, and how to get wifi working (you need to upgrade the Linux Kernel from version 3.x to 4.x ):
I received my new laptop yesterday, having placed the order 10 days before for standard UK delivery.
Spec:
Linux Mint 17.3 64bit (based on Ubuntu 14.04lts) on Defiance II 17.3" with Core i7 6700HQ, GTX 970M, AC8260 wifi, Intel 2 chan hidef audio, soundblaster XFiMB3.
Installing Linux Mint:
I made the install USB on my Mac following http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-mac-osx
The laptop was ordered with no operating system, but actually had a 30 day trial of Windows10. When first turned on it cycled in the PCSpecialist pre-boot logo and stayed there. When I pressed F2 to get the BIOS it booted into Windows10. Within Windows in the security menu I selected 'recovery' and 'boot from usb'. This enabled it to boot from the Linux Mint USB.
Mint ran live from the usb, and installed alongside Windows10. The machine now boots into GRUB and lets you choose Mint, Windowsbootloader or BIOS.
What didn't 'just work' was the Wifi. Also Mint does not allow you to update some packages in Synaptic, you have to use Software Updater. I ran this twice with the laptop plugged to the broadband router by ethernet.
Getting Wifi to work:
To get Wifi working I had to upgrade to Linux kernel version 4.2 by using Synaptic to install these packages
linux-headers-generic-lts-wily_4.2.0.27.21_amd64.deb
linux-headers-4.2.0-27-generic_4.2.0-27.32~14.04.1_amd64.deb
linux-headers-4.2.0-27_4.2.0-27.32~14.04.1_all.deb
linux-generic-lts-wily_4.2.0.27.21_amd64.deb
linux-image-generic-lts-wily_4.2.0.27.21_amd64.deb
linux-image-4.2.0-27-generic_4.2.0-27.32~14.04.1_amd64.deb
linux-image-extra-4.2.0-27-generic_4.2.0-27.32~14.04.1_amd64.deb
linux-firmware_1.127.20_all.deb
This is because the default kernel is 3.19 which does not support firmware version 13. See pilot6's answer here http://askubuntu.com/questions/729212/install-intel-ac-8260-wireless-drivers-offline
Now Wifi works
and I'm a happy bunny !BlueTooth and Audio also work.