It’s been more than a year since Linux computer company System76 announced plans to design and manufacture hardware in-house. Up until now, the company has primarily worked with OEM’s to add custom software to off-the-shelf laptop and desktop PC designs.
Now the company says it plans to start taking pre-orders for a “new open-source computer” next month. The company isn’t saying much about what kind of computer we’re talking about, but last year System76 said it would probably start with desktops, which are easier to design than notebooks or other portable computers.
Meanwhile, representatives from the company were spotted at the Linaro Connect conference recently, where they discussed the possibility of using ARM-based processors in some upcoming devices. I wouldn’t necessarily take that as an indication that we’ll see a System76 PC with an ARM processor next month… but it could happen sometime in the future.
Here’s a roundup of tech news from around the web.
- System76 Gets Animated For New Handcrafted Computer (System76)
Linux PC company System76 says it has “a new open-source computer” on the way, with pre-orders opening in October. - System76 wants to make a high-end ARM Laptop and Desktop (ARMDevices)
System76 also appears to be looking into using ARM processors for some upcoming PCs… although it’s unclear at this point if the computer coming next month will use one. - Open Letter from Bob Swan, Intel CFO and Interim CEO (Intel)
Intel was caught off guard by increased demand for PCs, and is having trouble keeping up with chip demand. Company will prioritize Xeon and Core chips for now (and expense of entry-level), hopes to increase production of 14nm and 10nm chips moving foward. - Security Update (Facebook)
Facebook discloses that it was hacked, attacker may have accessed 50 million accounts. 90 million users are being forced to log back into their accounts. - Ubuntu 18.10 (Cosmic Cuttlefish) Beta released (Ubuntu)
Images are available for Ubuntu Desktop, Server, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Xubuntu, and Ubuntu Budgie, MATE, Studio, and Kylin versions of the operating system - Kobo Forma is a Kindle Oasis Clone, Will Ship on 16 October(The Digital Reader)
Kobo spills (some of) the beans on an upcoming eReader called the Kobo Forma (looks like a Kindle Oasis with a lopsided design and page turn buttons). - TiVo Targets Cord Cutters With Bolt OTA (Zatz Not Funny)
The new TiVo Bolt OTA DVR is a $250 digital video recorder that can record 4 shows from broadcast channels (using an antenna) at once, and which also supports streaming media from popular sources including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. - Google Pixel Slate (David Ruddock)
Google’s first Pixel tablet is said to be called the Google Pixel Slate (previously known by the code-name “Nocturne”). - Google Pixel 3 XL – Marketing Videos (MySMartPrice
Oh look, it’s another Pixel 3 XL leak (this time it’s a video showing software features including real-time Google Lens features in the camera app).
You can keep up on the latest headlines by following Liliputing on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook.
If they are looking at ARM and going desktop first then it could be Socionext’s SynQuacer SC2A11 although single thread performance is not quite up to desktop performance standards. The only other option would be Rockchip RK3399 which Google uses it as OP1 in Chromebooks.
I’d like to try an ARM powered Linux laptop. I hope the repositories have enough ARM packages to make it worthwhile. But I’m not willing to pay a premium price for an ARM powered laptop, like the $899 HP Envy x2 with Windows 10.
Why no use a Open RISC or RISC-V processor? I understand that its a open source processor and we have a test computer in form of a mini pc.https://www.cnx-software.com/2018/02/04/sifive-introduces-hifive-unleashed-risc-v-linux-development-board-crowdfunding/
I wonder what “open source computer” means — something for which full schematics of all of the parts are available? Or just something where everything works without any closed source drivers?
The easiest thing to do would be something like what MicroCenter does with its PowerSpec house brand — use off-the-shelf parts, possibly in a slightly customized case, only making sure that all of the parts have open source drivers. I like this approach for the consumer, as you get a machine that’s incredibly easy to repair and upgrade, basically a build-your-own without the hassle of actually having to build your own. No idea if that’s what System76 is planning.
It would be apropos if they made a system76 with an ARM cortex A76SoC…
Never a fan of system76 but over the last year or so, they’ve won me over. I really like that they’ve built a total Linux solution – from hardware to software to support.
I’m still on the fence about their Pop_OS! (just don’t like the overall feel) but they’re doing things, as far as updates, resetting the OS and even firmware… that other distros (who don’t do hardware) are unable to match. I may be a customer soon – their lightweight 14″ laptop (with ports aplenty) has really caught my eye.
The only other player in the field, as far as I’m concerned, is Purism (not dell who are too big & window-ish for real Linux support). But their pricing is too rich.