SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
How better to work on Open Source projects than to use a Libre computing device? But that's a hard goal to accomplish. If you're using a desktop computer, Libre software is easily achievable, though keeping your entire software stack free of closed source binary blobs might require a little extra work. But if you want a laptop, your options are few indeed. Lucky for us, there may be another device in the mix soon, because [Lukas Hartmann] has just about finalized the MNT Reform.
Since we started eagerly watching the Reform a couple years ago the hardware world has kept turning, and the Reform has improved accordingly. The i.MX6 series CPU is looking a little peaky now that it's approaching end of life, and the device has switched to a considerably more capable – but no less free – i.MX8M paired with 4 GB of DDR4 on a SODIMM-shaped System-On-Module. This particular SOM is notable because the manufacturer freely provides the module schematics, making it easy to upgrade or replace in the future. The screen has been bumped up to a 12.5″ 1080p panel and steps have been taken to make sure it can be driven without blobs in the graphics pipeline.
What has Soylentils' experience with open hardware been?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by takyon on Thursday January 23 2020, @06:38AM (3 children)
It would be easier to not care if more of these systems were upgradeable. I would have no qualms with buying a $100 laptop and then slamming 32 GB of RAM in it for another $100, creating an unnatural $200 beast. But a lot of the RAM is soldered with no empty DIMM slots, or support is limited to 8 or 16 GB in a single empty DIMM, DIMMs take invasive surgery to access, etc. That's due to the pursuit of thinness.
You could reference blackviper.com to disable unnecessary components to improve system performance and RAM usage, but that's not really fair for a non-savvy user who picks up a low-end system.
There probably is some slicking up for Surface. And there is slightly customized AMD and Qualcomm hardware for Surface now.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Reziac on Thursday January 23 2020, @07:32AM (2 children)
Blackviper used to be my neighbor :) (Well, a few miles up the road. We've both since moved away.) Yeah, I've been meaning to check his latest service configs, but since my current hardware doesn't really notice all the crap running, I haven't been real motivated. And Win10's interface gives me hives, so I don't spend much time with it.
Agreed on the soldered/non-upgradable. Got nothin' against frankenputers. Don't like disposable much. My sister's office buys Surface Pros by the pallet to use in the field, says they have good performance... when I looked at the specs and innards, I was like.. this has got to be a specialized, slicked-up Win10, cuz otherwise that's just not enough machine. And lordy, overpriced for what's inside (and there's room for more, but it's not used). But business likes the convenience, and the size, and the support... and that's where all the real money is, not from us little users.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Friday January 24 2020, @08:12PM (1 child)
Still wanting a decent Linux tablet.
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Friday January 24 2020, @09:19PM
Unfortunately not enough of a market for the big boys to pursue.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.