This is an update of my selecting an open source laptop.
Previously I noted that System76 might be a good option, however they’re based in the US and the return to base warrenty might not be of much use to me due to cost of shipping etc.
I mentioned that there were no UK retailers but I was wrong, there are - and there’s something interesting in that they mostly sell the same machine as the System76. I haven’t read all the information on the System76 website but I was under the impression that the machines were manufactured by the company - looks like I was wrong. I’m guessing they’re whitelabel machines, probably from China that can be customised easily.
Similar, if not better deals:
- Juno Computers - Jupiter 14 - limited component options
- Station x - has a high price tag once maxed out on spec compared to Entroware
- Entroware Apollo - can be maxed out with NVMe memory, 32GB 2400 DDR4, etc and reasonable price
- Star Labtop - different body, decent spec at a good price, wonder about usb-c and dock compatibility and whether the 8GB ram can be upgraded.
I have concerns on:
- build quality
- battery life
- wonder what the bios is (and whether it could be libreboot)
- can the usb-c run a dock including charge, monitor, etc
- These are not really open source machines, more open source ready machines (ie. tested and supplied with linux)
Also, keeping with the thinkpad hack idea there is a company in the UK who specialise up repurposing thinkpads called Ministry of Freedom - they might be able to help me if I get stuck.
Alternative is to either take a risk with one of these machines (probably Entroware) or go with another high spec machine (thinkpad or similar) requiring minimal modding that can be flashed with libreboot/coreboot to open it up.