Enable Screen Rotation, Docking for ThinkPad X220 X230 in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: November 18, 2016

ubuntu_tips1

For ThinkPad X220, or X230 tablet running Ubuntu Desktop, there’s an open-source project thinkpad-scripts for screen rotation, docking etc.

Thinkpad-scripts is a collection of scripts intended for the Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Tablet. You can still use them with the regular X220 machine, but only thinkpad-rotate will probably be useless for you then.

In short, this script fixes or improves the following:

  • Rotation of the internal screen and any Wacom touch and pen input devices using the bezel buttons or physical screen rotation
  • Get the microphone mute button to work.
  • Automatically use any external monitor, speakers and LAN connection when docking onto an UltraBase or similar.
  • Ability to disable touch pad or touch screen.

How to Install Thinkpad-Scripts in Ubuntu 16.04, 14.04:

The scripts are available in the PPA repository, so far available for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 14.04 and their derivatives.

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:martin-ueding/stable

2. Then update and install the scripts:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install thinkpad-scripts

For documentation, go to this page.

Uninstall:

To uninstall the scripts, simply run command:

sudo apt remove thinkpad-scripts && sudo apt autoremove

And the PPA can be removed by going to System Settings -> Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

Twitter

I'm a freelance blogger who started using Ubuntu in 2007 and wishes to share my experiences and some useful tips with Ubuntu beginners and lovers. Please comment to let me know if the tutorial is outdated! And, notify me if you find any typo/grammar/language mistakes. English is not my native language. Contact me via ubuntuhandbook1@gmail.com Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/ubuntuhandbook1