Alexandre Rostovtsev has written the lenovo-sl-laptop driver managing hotkeys, backlight and bluetooth. Please test and report results. Original announcement on the mailing list.

The fingerprint reader is claimed to work with some hacks! ([1])

Hardware

• CPU
  • Intel Core 2 Duo
    • Works without problems (tested on 2.6.27).

• Graphics Hardware
  • integrated Intel X4500HD
    • Works without problems (tested on 2.6.27).
  • Discrete NVIDIA GeForce 9300 graphics
    • Works with vesa, nv and the proprietary nVidia driver (tested version 180.06)

• Displays
  • 13,3" - 15,4" TFTs
    • Work without problems. (Note the backlight control is buggy without the superb patch provided by tetromino)
    • For ubuntu 8.10 & 9.04 users could find workable solution for Thinkpad SL series hot key buttons here

• Interface ports
  • USB
    • Work without problems.
  • FireWire
    • Unknown, but should work.

• Network interfaces
  • WLAN
    • Intel WiFi Link 5100: Works without problems (iwlagn) (tested on 2.6.27 with 802.11g)
    • Atheros AR5007EG chipset: ath5k should work since 2.6.27 (but I encountered problems connecting to networks). madwifi with proprietary driver is more reliable. See these instructions. Use script to remove module before suspend/hibernate and reload after resume/thaw.The wireless switch on front of case does work, but the wireless LED doesn't light up.
  • WWAN
    • Intel WiMAX/WiFi Link 5350: Has kernel support in 2.8.29.1 and later.
      • WiMAX works, check out [2] for ucode and client daemons.
      • WiFi needs microcode, which Intel has finally released, tested working with 2.6.30-rc4 and ucode 8.24.2.2.
    • Ericsson F3507g (UMTS/HSPA):Detected on /dev/ttyACM0-2 (2.6.27), NetworkManager (0.7.0) couldn't connect out of the box, but you can connect with wvdial for example. See more information. Works out of the Box with Kernel 2.6.28 + NetworkManager 0.7.1 (also confirmed to work on 2.6.30 ootb)
  • LAN
    • Realtek RTL8111/8168B gigabit ethernet: Works (100/1000 both)
  • Bluetooth 2.0
    • Integrated chipset: Works with the superb patch provided by tetromino|

• ACPI
  • Suspend (s2ram)
    • Works (2.6.27). For 2.6.26 and earlier, use command "s2ram -f -s".
  • Hibernate (s2disk)
    • Works (2.6.26).
  • Battery state
    • Detected if only battery is used or not. (2.6.27)
    • Battery stage not very exact / maybe completely wrong (2.6.27). Powertop is more accurate than Gnome battery applet.

• Other stuff
  • Fingerprint reader
    • DeviceID 147e:1000 Upek (2.6.28.1)
      • Works with 2.6.30 (maybe doesn't matter) and fingerprintGUI + some hacks: http://darkblue.homeip.net/FingerprintForum/topic.php?TopicId=45&Posts=0
  • Webcam
    • Detected and works
  • HDASP
    • Not detected.

• Hotkeys
  • Buttons for ThinkCare, Volume up, Volume down, Mute in the upper left corner
    • Thinkcare: no keycode shown in xev.
    • Volume up: Works with new driver (keycode 176).
    • Volume down: Works with new driver (keycode 174).
    • Mute: Works with new driver (keycode 160).
  • Fn combinations (if keycode exists, then can be made to work by reassigning keys in /etc/Xmodmap)
    • SysRq (Fn+F1): Prints screen.
    • Lock Screen (Fn+F2): Works with new driver (keycode 146).
    • Manage battery & power (Fn+F3): Works with new driver (keycode 241).
    • Suspend (Fn+F4): Works. If 2.6.26 or earlier, resumes without screen--press Ctrl+Alt+F1, then Ctrl+Alt+F7.
    • Wlan (Fn+F5): Works with new driver (keycode 243).
    • Print Screen (Fn+F6): Works.
    • LCD/External Monitor (Fn+F7): No effect in Debian Lenny with both screens aways displayed (keycode 214).
    • TrackPointer/Touchpad (Fn+F8): Works with new driver (keycode 159).
    • Manage external devices (Fn+F9): Works with new driver (keycode 204).
    • No function (Fn+F10): Same keycode as F10.
    • Pause (Fn+F11): Works? (keycode 110)
    • Hibernate (Fn+F12): Works with new driver (keycode 165).
    • Screen Lock (Fn+Insert): Doesn't work (keycode 78)
    • Number Lock (Fn+Delete): Works, but the Number Lock LED on right side of keyboard doesn't light up.
    • Brightness Down (Fn+Home): Works with new driver (keycode 101).
    • Brightness Up (Fn+End): Works with new driver (keycode 212).
    • Previous Page (Fn+PageUp): Works with new driver (keycode 234)
    • Next Page (Fn+PageDown): Works with new driver (keycode 233)
    • Stop (Fn+UpArrow): Works with new driver (keycode 164).
    • Pause/Play (Fn+DownArrow): Works with new driver (keycode 162).
    • Play Previous (Fn+ArrowLeft): Works with new driver (keycode 144).
    • Play Next (Fn+ArrowRight): Works with new driver (keycode 153).
    • Magnify Screen (Fn+Space): No keycode.