ThinkPad P52 (20M9001KMZ) Configuration, Components, Guide, Issues and questions

[c3o8k1g]

20200630 - EDIT: post updated to reflect the current configuration (original "Issue 22" here).

For those interested, here is my configuration.

Configuration:

• ThinkPad P52 (20M9001KMZ - Lenovo website).
• macOS: 10.15.5
• EFI version: v3.0
• Clover: v2.5k 5103
• SSD 1: INTEL SSD 512GB (SSDPEKKF512G8L - Windows 10 Pro (OEM))
• SSD 2: Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 1TB - macOS
• RAM 1 & 2: 2x Crucial CT16G4SFD8266
• RAM 3 & 4: 2x Hynix HMA81GS6CJR8N (OEM)
• Wi-fi card: BCM94352Z Lenovo FRU 04X6020 (replaced - OEM was Intel)

This build has been running consistently for 6 months.

First and foremost, thanks @liuyishengalan for the wonderful work you are doing!
I personally found it very useful to be able to deploy your EFI directly without too much trouble.

Full Compatibility

• Wi-fi card: BCM94352Z Lenovo FRU 04X6020
• External USB-A hub 3.0 works
• External USB-A 3.0 SD Card reader works.
• System Preferences Software Update - From macOS 10.15.2 to 10.15.5 - it is safe to install directly via the System preferences utility (first, update EFI). Always keep the last working EFI folder in the installer USB so that it can be used to boot should any issue arise with the internal EFI.
• Apple ID, App Store, iCloud, iMessage (with SMBIOS properly configured in the config.plist inside CLOVER folder)

Not Working

• HDMI internal
• HDMI connected to USB-C dock
• SD Card reader internal

Partially working / Strange behaviour

• TrackPad - I’m having issues with the configuration of the TrackPad, in particular the TrackPoint, TrackPad and its top buttons work perfectly, but I am unable to make the TrackPad's lower buttons work like intended in a regular TrackPad. The left button only works for drag-and-drop, the others 2 seem to be disabled.
• Keyboard: creating your own key map may be useful

Here is a very short and basic guide

(these are the steps I followed to get up and running originally).
1- create usb installer with macOS Catalina Patcher
2- open usb EFI folder with CLOVER and delete content
3- move BOOT & CLOVER folder in usb EFI
4- copy config.plist to CLOVER folder (use the one which best reflects your system specs.)
5- Change SMBIOS in CLOVER to custom values
6- rename anyname-config.plist to config.plist
7- boot from USB
8- install macOS normally
9- once installed, open CLOVER in new build
10- mount internal macOS drive EFI
11- copy EFI folder from USB to macOS drive
12- reboot
13- keep install usb safe - can be used to boot via usb CLOVER in case the internal EFI fails
14- UPDATES: when a new version of the CLOVER folder is release it is safe to replace the old one directly in the EFI partition (taking care to change the SMBIOS to your values).

Questions I have yet to find an answer to.

1. Is it better to leave the kexts into the EFI partition or move them to /System/Library/Extensions? How to do that, manually or with some kind of software?

2. Battery / Power consumption: I noticed the “endurance” is quite reduced in MacOS compared to Windows. Is it normal, or do I have some settings to adjust?
I had the opportunity to closely monitor the temperature of the CPU.
It averaged 70°C with peaks of up to 90°C when under moderate load (less than 50% load).

3. Is there any chance to make the system sleep when closing the lid (also via keyboard shortcuts or third-party software)?
When in sleeping mode either due to inactivity or via the Menu bar - Sleep command, sometimes after around 10 to 20 minutes it wakes up without an input.
To wake: the behaviour is not clear.
- opening the lid works most of the times when the laptop has been in sleep mode for some time.
- sometimes it wakes by pressing any key.
- other times the only keyboard key that wakes the laptop from sleep is "fn".
- in certain occasions, pressing any key or using the touchpad or external devices does not work. Instead the power button must be used.

4. Which is the best mode for sleep/hibernation? 0, 3 or 25 (sleep mode, safe sleep or hibernation respctively; some sources also mention 27 and 29 as possible values)?

5. Is it possible to disable the red-dot System status indicator on the monitor cover or is it tied in with the power button indicator (I know, black tape could do just fine, but...).

Thanks again!
Best Regards,
c3o8k1g