[Guide] Install Debian on Razer Blade 13" (2019)

Introduction



The guide is for RZ09-0281x: Razer Blade Stealth 13" (2019)*

Known Issues:

• Closing/opening lid doesn't recognized
• Wireless card needs non-free drivers

Working (tested):

• Suspend/wake
• Fans
• Camera
• Microphone
• Touchpad
• External display through thunderbolt ports
• Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
• Speakers
• RGB backlit
• CapsLock

Might work (not tested)

• External GPU support (option toggleable)

Overview

The purpose of this guide is to provide a step-by-step guide to installing Debian 11 on the Razer Blade Stealth 2019.

Download the required files:
Etcher: https://www.balena.io/etcher/
Unofficial Debian Installer containing non-free firmwares: https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/...cluding-firmware/11.0.0+nonfree/amd64/iso-cd/

Or you can add the firmwares manually:
Official Debian Installer: https://www.debian.org/download
Binary firmware for Intel Wireless cards: https://packages.debian.org/sid/firmware-iwlwifi

Download OpenRazer:
openrazer-meta: https://openrazer.github.io/#debian
razergenie: https://github.com/z3ntu/RazerGenie

I recommend updating to the latest BIOS before following the guide.

Before reading this guide, please note:

• Everything is included in the guide, so if you have problem, read the guide carefully again or search in the guide.
• If you follow the guide and have problems, please post your questions.

BIOS settings

To start, set BIOS to defaults.

Make sure:

• UEFI boot is enabled
• Secure Boot is disabled
• Fast boot is disabled (you can turn it back on after finishing installation)

Preparing USB and booting from installer

Use a USB with 8GB or more:

• Flash firmware-11.0.0-amd64-netinst.iso with Etcher onto the flash drive
• Boot from the USB drive
• Select Graphical Install

Graphical Installer

• Choose your language, location and keyboard layout
• Set hostname (computer name)
• Leave the Domain name blank
• Choose your root password
  
• Set your user display name
• Set your username for your account
• Choose your password for your account
• Configure your clock
• Partition disks:
  • I recommend to use Guided with encrypted LVM
  • Select your disk for partitioning
  • Choose All files in one partition
    
  • Configure LVM: choose Yes
  • Don't change the default amount
  • Write changes to disks?: Yes
  • Don't scan for extra installation media
    
  • Choose your package manager: your country if available
  • Debian archive mirror: deb.debian.org
  • HTTP Proxy: leave it blank
  • Choose your desktop environment: debian standard desktop environment, GNOME, system utilities
  • Install GRUB boot loader to your primary drive
    
  • Choose your disk

Post Installation

Open Terminal and type: sudo gpasswd -a $USER plugdev (where $USER is your username)
Install openrazer-meta_3.1.0-0_all.deb using Software Install
Install razergenie-0.9.0-0_arm64.deb using Software Install
Reboot


*I've done it on my RZ09-02812F71 but this method most likely will work for any 2019 model as well.