What devices run with free firmware?

p_q@lemmy.world to Linux@lemmy.ml – 301 points –

You can run a free OS pretty effortless, but when wanting 100% free software, you have to dig deeper and replace the proprietary BIOS firmware.

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Besides the already mentioned Star Labs and System76, there's also Insurgo, Nitropad and NovaCustom.

As for an exhaustive list on the matter, unfortunately, I don't think something like that is out there. Though both Canoeboot (formerly known as Libreboot) and Dasharo do have their own respective lists.

The starlabs one is actually pretty interesting. Too bad the keyboard is not included in the price and costs extra.

I just got myself a Clevo NV41MZ, supported by Dasharo! Lets see if this machine would like to boot my damn usb sticks XD

Hehe :P , consider to keep us updated on how it goes ;) !

Clevo MZ41

Would that be the Clevo model that NovaCustom's NV41 Series is 'based' on?

Yes, model names, its a NV41MZ. Very rare to find actually and an older model than novacustoms.

So far, the build quality... they saved on material. Keyboard and chassis are very cheap. I wish I could swap in my Thinkpad keyboard, would probably be possible.

It's unfortunate to hear that; with the chassis being my biggest concern as I don't think you would be able to find suitable replacement for that. As for the keyboard, perhaps an affordable and portable external keyboard might help you with that.

The keyboard is okaaay. I will post a review of the laptop soon. I am simply very spoiled by my Thinkpad.

I am not sure what material the chassis is, top around the keyboard is like metal, the screen thing too, meanwhile when opening it up you can see the metallic spray paint inside?

It is easy to open, not sure how easy to find spare parts but everything is very well removable. I think modern Thinkpad keyboards are the best ones ever, one could get a usb variant and wire somehow inside.

Or you would need an arduino board, a custom mini firmware and all, just to translate the different keyboards. But that was "random keyboard to usb", and not "random keyboard to random keyboard".

Man it would be great if you could just swap keyboards

spare parts

It seems NovaCustoms offer some spareparts. I wonder if the ones not explicitly stating NV4xMZ can be used on your device as well.

No the NV41MZ for example has no numpad. Its the compact 14in model which I would always choose for my tasks. Maybe not all, but it was the only clevo on like all Europes Ebay. Literally shipped it in from Great Britain

No the NV41MZ for example has no numpad.

That's unfortunate.

but it was the only clevo on like all Europes Ebay. Literally shipped it in from Great Britain

Honestly, I haven't done a lot of business on Ebay. So, I don't know a lot on how much cheaper you might get devices from there. Though, I wonder if it's a lot cheaper than say this device.

Damn good find! Not expensive, about double the price I paid but still very reasonable.

Very funny, they have a Tux bootsplash logo in their Bios??

And the BIOS really is great, I will miss that on Coreboot I guess. But all the necessary features should be there.

Damn good find! Not expensive, about double the price I paid but still very reasonable.

Oh lol, that's a considerable difference. Though I suppose the Intel CPUs on your device probably aren't 12th gen?

they have a Tux bootsplash logo in their Bios??

Who offers that :P ? Did I somehow miss that?

And the BIOS really is great, I will miss that on Coreboot I guess. But all the necessary features should be there.

coreboot FTW!

Thanks, true! The people from Novacustom are very nice.

Thanks, true!

😉

The people from Novacustom are very nice.

Agreed. They definitely are.