4 ms·

As a new System76 customer, I like their stepwise approach. It tells me they're thinking long term and not rushing. That's what I want to support is a longterm

As a new System76 customer, I like their stepwise approach. It tells me they're thinking long term and not rushing. That's what I want to support is a longterm open hardware+software industry. My understanding is they've started selling their own desktop models after selling white-labeled machines in the past. And that with laptops they are quite involved in the design process and are inching towards selling their own custom laptops. If Purism fails it will likely be because they did too much from scratch. Taking on hardware and software all at once is a recipe for disaster. It's super expensive.

3r8Oltr0ziouVDM 5y ago
Keep in mind that both Purism and System76 still use proprietary CPUs (at least) so their machines are not completely open. There is a backdoor in every Intel and AMD chip that has full control over your computer. If you want 100% open hardware, there is https://www.raptorcs.com/ https://www.raptorcs.com/.
- Klonoar 5y ago
  I believe both these companies go to lengths to disable Intel ME & co (where possible). Raptor is a cool option if you have the money and want a desktop approach, but if you're after a laptop you're ultimately playing the game of "how much can I deal with binary blobs and proprietary bits". Hell, for Purism's laptops it's not uncommon for people to shove in a different wifi card to get modern speeds - the card they use is used for being able to run with only open source drivers, which are old at this point.
  - fsflover 5y ago
    More details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Management_Engine#Commercial_ME_disablement https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Management_Engine#Commer....
  - relax88 5y ago
    Yes… the wireless card on the Librem 15 has given me some grief due to sticky roaming. I’ll have to look into this!
- istingray 5y ago
  Good to know about this, had not heard of Raptor Computing Systems. The complete open hardware model seems to require DIY chip fabrication at some level as a backstop. Will look for more opportunities to encourage this. I wonder if System76 has considered Raptor processors for their desktops. What is their roadmap towards more open hardware? Here goes my first recommendation to their customer support. I would consider a mini-desktop with Talos by System76 even though I'm primarily a laptop user.
- relax88 5y ago
  Intel ME is apparently disabled and not connected to the network interface in the Librem 13/15 if I remember correctly.
  - fsflover 5y ago
    Disabled and neutralized [0], but there are still some blobs in it [1]. [0] https://puri.sm/projects/coreboot/ https://puri.sm/projects/coreboot/ [1] https://puri.sm/learn/software-freedom-in-perspective/ https://puri.sm/learn/software-freedom-in-perspective/

3r8Oltr0ziouVDM 5y ago

Keep in mind that both Purism and System76 still use proprietary CPUs (at least) so their machines are not completely open. There is a backdoor in every Intel and AMD chip that has full control over your computer. If you want 100% open hardware, there is https://www.raptorcs.com/ https://www.raptorcs.com/.

Klonoar 5y ago
I believe both these companies go to lengths to disable Intel ME & co (where possible). Raptor is a cool option if you have the money and want a desktop approach, but if you're after a laptop you're ultimately playing the game of "how much can I deal with binary blobs and proprietary bits". Hell, for Purism's laptops it's not uncommon for people to shove in a different wifi card to get modern speeds - the card they use is used for being able to run with only open source drivers, which are old at this point.
- fsflover 5y ago
  More details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Management_Engine#Commercial_ME_disablement https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Management_Engine#Commer....
- relax88 5y ago
  Yes… the wireless card on the Librem 15 has given me some grief due to sticky roaming. I’ll have to look into this!
istingray 5y ago
Good to know about this, had not heard of Raptor Computing Systems. The complete open hardware model seems to require DIY chip fabrication at some level as a backstop. Will look for more opportunities to encourage this. I wonder if System76 has considered Raptor processors for their desktops. What is their roadmap towards more open hardware? Here goes my first recommendation to their customer support. I would consider a mini-desktop with Talos by System76 even though I'm primarily a laptop user.
relax88 5y ago
Intel ME is apparently disabled and not connected to the network interface in the Librem 13/15 if I remember correctly.
- fsflover 5y ago
  Disabled and neutralized [0], but there are still some blobs in it [1]. [0] https://puri.sm/projects/coreboot/ https://puri.sm/projects/coreboot/ [1] https://puri.sm/learn/software-freedom-in-perspective/ https://puri.sm/learn/software-freedom-in-perspective/