Linux laptop maker Purism is introducing its first model with a 14 inch display. But the new Purism Librem 14 is actually the same size as the older Librem 13 that it replaces. The company managed to fit a bigger screen into the same body by reducing the size of the bezels around the screen.

The new laptop is also is also getting a spec bump, while retaining the privacy and security features that help set Purism’s laptops apart.

The Purism Librem 14 is up for pre-order today with early bird prices starting at $1199, and the laptop is expected to begin shipping to customers early in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Purism’s notebooks features hardware kill switches that physically disconnect the webcam, microphone, and WiFi card when you’re not using them. The laptop also ships with PureOS, a GNU/Linux-based operating system with an emphasis on privacy and security. And rather than proprietary BIOS, they ship with the PureBoot open source firmware.

Specs include:

  • 14 inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel IPS matte display
  • Intel Core i7-10710U hexa-core Comet Lake processor
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • HDMI
  • 3.5mm audio jack
  • microSD card reader
  • USB-C and USB-A ports
  • Backlit keyboard

Purism notes that the laptop supports up to two external displays (thanks to the USB-C and HDMI ports, and ships with a USB-C charger.

Purism blog post

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9 replies on “Purism Librem 14 Linux laptop available for pre-order for $1199 and up (ships this fall)”

  1. Because how to neutralize the AMD PSP is not as well known as how to neutralize the Intel Management Engine. Both are needed to start the CPU at boot, and both are suspected of being security risks. Given enough time and research into disabling as much of the PSP as possible and replacing it with a Free Software alternative they might, but that research hasn’t been done.

    1. The reason why their laptops continue to be relatively very expensive has a lot to do with the work they needed to put in to neuter the IME, as well.

      I shudder to think what would happen to the prices of their gear if they were to start the same kind of effort to disable the PSP.

      I would much rather they would put that kind of time and effort into researching the options they might have with ARM / RISC-V silicon. That would give them much more control over the hardware, and would enable them to circumvent this whole IME / PSP thing entirely.

      1. Are there ARM SoCs that Purism could use that doesn’t have ARM’s TrustZone (their equivalent of IME/PSP)?

        The only RISC-V application processor I know of is from SiFive and they have their own equivalent “feature” as well.

        Too bad I highly doubt Purism will go into the custom RISC-V SoC market where they could just not include these management “features”.

        1. TrustZone, as everything else on ARM, is optional.

          So if Puris were to go to, say Samsung, and say “hey can we have an Exynos without this or that”, Samsung should be able to make it happen.

          Also, not an expert in this stuff, but iirc IME allows for remote control of a processor. TrustZone is nothing of the sort.

        2. I highly doubt any chip company will make a custom chip for a small company like Purism. All these SoCs have their own form of IME/PSP/TrustZone/etc. Going for ARM or RISC-V will solve nothing. If anything, the open and much more work/research on disabling Intel IME makes Intel chips easier and cheaper to use.

        1. Purism currently disables the Intel Management Engine using me_cleaner, and writes zeros over 92% of its code and only keeps the small part that is needed for booting.

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