System76 is one of only a handful of PC vendors that exclusively sells computers with Linux-based software. Up until now, that’s meant the company has chosen hardware that it could guarantee would work well with custom firmware and the Ubuntu Linux operating system.

But unlike larger PC companies (think Acer, Apple, Asus, Dell, Lenovo, and HP), System76 hasn’t designed or manufactured its own hardware. Instead it used OEM/ODM companies to do those things, instead focusing on the software.

Starting in 2018 though, you may be able to buy a System76 computer that was designed and built in-house.

The company says it plans to start with desktops, since they’re “easier to work with.” Eventually System76 hopes to expand to notebooks as well.

Odds are that most potential customers won’t notice a huge difference between custom-built System76 computers and those made by someone else. But like most things Linux-related, the goal isn’t just to provide a better experience, it’s to provide a more open experience.

In addition to giving System76 more control over the hardware, the decision to design and manufacture its own computers gives the company the ability to share the information. CAD files for System76 computers will be open source, allowing anyone with the appropriate skills and equipment to build or modify their own cases based on the company’s designs.

 

Support Liliputing

Liliputing's primary sources of revenue are advertising and affiliate links (if you click the "Shop" button at the top of the page and buy something on Amazon, for example, we'll get a small commission).

But there are several ways you can support the site directly even if you're using an ad blocker* and hate online shopping.

Contribute to our Patreon campaign

or...

Contribute via PayPal

* If you are using an ad blocker like uBlock Origin and seeing a pop-up message at the bottom of the screen, we have a guide that may help you disable it.

Subscribe to Liliputing via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 9,547 other subscribers

6 replies on “Linux PC builder System76 plans to design, manufacture its own hardware”

  1. So kind of link all those crowfunding initiatives out there, if those guys can do it (design tablet, laptops, etc) I guess anyone can also try to do it.

  2. Perhaps they can design with non American keyboards as options with EU suppliers?
    Sticking with Ubuntu only makes sense though. It’s still one of the most popular outside of distrowatch narrow ratings and allows easier marketing.

  3. I wish they would give users an option to purchase systems with other distros. I know a user can always load another distro if they don’t care for Ubuntu but it kind of defeats the point.

Comments are closed.