Librem 15 a Free/Libre Software Laptop

[Dragonbite]

There is a crowdsourcing attempt to make a completely open laptop that requires NO proprietary blobs. This goes deeper than just putting on Linux and FOSS applications. They are talking about removing the need for proprietary binaries from the kernel and to promote privacy and freedom.


The Librem 15 is the first high-end laptop where you are in control and have complete visibility into the kernel, the operating system, and all software. Meticulously designed chip by chip to work with free/libre and open source software, the Librem reinstates your rights to freedom and privacy.

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Though the bootloader, Linux kernel, GNU OS, and all software applications are completely free/libre software without any binary blobs, the BIOS does use coreboot, which includes a binary from Intel, called FSP. Here is a diagram that summarizes which components are free/libre and which aren’t.

We are working with Intel to allow us to scrub, release, and maintain the source for this, but haven’t finalized that yet. We are devoted to freeing this binary. You can read here about the current state of our efforts to free the BIOS.

There are also hardware components, like the HD or SSD, that are flashable, and therefore upgradeable, but that currently run firmware that is not yet freed. We are working to get freed versions of this firmware! Being the first manufacturer to care about freedom and privacy, we are making a lot of progress upstream.


•15.6" display in either 1920x1080 or 3840x2160
•4 Core (8 Threads) 3.4GHz Intel i7-4770HQ
•Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200
•375 x 244 x 22mm 2.0Kg
•14 x 9.6 x 0.86" 4.4lbs
•4GB Mem (up to 32GB)
•500GB HD (up to 1TB HD or 1TB SSD)
•CD/DVD ROM Drive (or extra drive bay)
•48 Wh lithium polymer battery
•65W power adapter
•Up to 8 hours usage
•Three USB 3.0 ports
•One HDMI port
•One Pop-Down RJ45 Network port (r8169)
•802.11n WiFi (ath9k)
•720p camera
•HD Audio
•Mini-TOSLINK optical fiber connector
•Full-size backlit keyboard
•SDXC card slot
•Purism GNU/Linux 64-bit Operating System (Trisquel based)
•375mm x 244mm x 22mm (14" x 9.6" x 0.86")
•2.0kg (4.4lbs)

They hope to be able to ship it by April 2015 and eventually to offer a 13" variant in the future.

So if you are interested, make a pledge! https://www.crowdsupply.com/purism/librem-laptop

[Mike_Walsh]

I found this same item a couple of weeks ago; I, too, was quite impressed by the ethos behind the entire thing.

BUT: I can't EVER see Intel releasing the FSP to open-source 'prying eyes'..... :-k

It's a brilliant idea, but.....I don't know. I shall be 'watching this space' with interest. We all know that it's far better to have thousands, if not tens of thousands of people all working together on software for the benefit of all.....rather than a small cadre of people working together solely for a large corporation that is more interested in the state of its balance sheet, and its commitment to its shareholders, than anything more altruistic..!

Regards,

Mike.

Regards,

Mike.

[Tar_Ni]

The machine is looking good. I wish there was something like that in the 'low-range' though. That has always been an issue for me as far as preinstalled Linux laptop goes as I am not willing to pay much for a computer as my needs are considered 'basics'. I simply can't find one below 500$.

[/ADM]

I like how they do the same as Dell etc though and don't let you pick cheaper hardware to lower the price, only to raise it. Should a free/libre laptop offer the option to choose say, a 32GB SSD and have -$200, no CD drive and -$100 etc.

[open2reason]

Some progress http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/15/01/20/1655242/librem-a-laptop-custom-made-for-freelibre-software https://www.crowdsupply.com/purism/librem-laptop but like some others I'll believe it when I see and hold it.

[Dragonbite]

I like how they do the same as Dell etc though and don't let you pick cheaper hardware to lower the price, only to raise it. Should a free/libre laptop offer the option to choose say, a 32GB SSD and have -$200, no CD drive and -$100 etc.

While that's great for the consumer, starting out they need to minimize the costs and the more options they offer the more it costs. Plus they have to have a high-enough margin to break even quickly (because after break-even comes profit... and with profit comes choices, better quality components, ability to absorb cost of inventory, etc.)

[slickymaster]

Purism Librem 15 Laptop (http://puri.sm/posts/purism-librem-15-laptop/) a notebook with interesting hardware, build quality and beautiful lines ... and fully open source!

It runs a variant of the Trisquel GNU/Linux OS.The launch scheduled for April.

Interesting, expensive but interesting nonetheless.

[open2reason]

Some more thoughts via http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2257385

[slickymaster]

Some more thoughts via http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2257385

My bad :oops:

Should have noticed that thread, but it's like they always say
The shoemaker's son always goes barefoot.

I'm merging this thread into that one.

[mastablasta]

i saw it. and i was amazed they actually managed to get all that money. laptops are expnecive. we do not know what build it will be or anything. they are not built yet. but people are ready to throw that kind of money (1500 USD /pc). now that is interesting.

also notebooks with AMD chips shouldn't need any proprietary blobs as well, yet their GPU performes way better than intel. right? RIGHT? well maybe they selected intel due to better power management.

[open2reason]

Another idea fsf endorsed libreboot x200 laptop comes with intels amt removed http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/15/01/29/2241214/fsf-endorsed-libreboot-x200-laptop-comes-with-intels-amt-removed