Lenovo IdeaPad 710S. Is Dual-boot still not possible?

Calypso

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A friend just gave me his i7 Lenovo IdeaPad 710S . I was hoping to make it a Linux machine. However, I'd like it to be dual-boot for a couple work programs. All my research says that there was a BIOS problem with this machine where Linux installs did not recognize the hard-drive. Lenovo responded with a BIOS update that enabled Linux at the expense of Windows. Basically, it was either/or for the OSes with this machine. Much of the info I found was from 2016-18. Anyone know if things have changed since then, and if dual-boot is possible on this machine?

While I'm at it, my last Linux attempt was two yeas ago on a 10-year-old Sager. The Vcard died soon after the install and the cost to replace was not worth it. Back then Mint was the rage, though I installed Ubuntu. Any thoughts on which distro would suit this laptop? Is there a link to a comparison of the distros? I will want to lightly use graphics programs like Blender, Krita, etc, on the machine.

Processor
Intel Core i7-6560U 2 x 2.2 - 3.2 GHz (Intel Core i7)
Graphics adapter
Intel Iris Graphics 540, Core: 1050 MHz, shared Memory, 20.19.15.4364
Memory
8192 MB , LPDDR3, 1866 MHz, Dual-Channel, soldered
Display
13.30 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 166 PPI, Sharp SHP 1447 / LQ133M1JW15, IPS, glossy: no
Mainboard
Intel Skylake-U Premium PCH
Storage
Samsung PM951 NVMe MZVLV256, 256 GB


Weight
1.16 kg ( = 40.92 oz / 2.56 pounds), Power Supply: 170 g ( = 6 oz / 0.37 pounds)
 
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Have you tried writing a dual boot Hard drive on a different pc? Also how big is the hard disk?
Thanks for the response. That is something I have not done before. Could you point me to a link or such with info on that?

The 710s has a 256mb m.2 SSD. I plan to up it to 500 if I can figure out the dual-boot thing.
 

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