The latest Linux laptop from UK-based Star Labs is a 3.1 pound notebook with a 14 inch full HD display, support for super-speedy storage, and an 11th-gen Intel Tiger Lake-U processor.
Available with a choice of GNU/Linux distributions including Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Manjaro, MX Linux, Elementary OS, and Zorin OS, the StarBook Mk V is now available for pre-order for $929 and up.
The starting price gets you a notebook with fairly modest specs including an Intel Core i3-1110G4 processor, 8GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, and a 240GB SATA SSD. But you can configure the system with up to a Core i7-1165G7 processor, 64GB of memory, and up to 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 NVMe storage (which is over-provisioned to support sequential read/write speeds up to 6,850 MB/s and 6,500 MB/s, respectively).
Other hardware features include quad speakers, a 720p webcam, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, a backlit keyboard (available with a choice of US or UK layouts), a glass-covered trackpad, a 50.9 Wh battery and a 60W USB-C power adapter.
Ports include:
- 1 x USB–C/Thunderbolt 4 port
- 2 x USB 3.0
- 1 x USB 2.0
- 1 x HDMI
- 1 x 3.5mm mic/headphone combo jack
- 1 x micrSD card reader
- 1 x DC charging dock
In addition to shipping with an open source, Linux-based operating system the StarBook Mk V is available with two firmware options: American Megatrends Aptio V or the open source coreboot. You can also switch from one firmware to the other at any time – Star Labs notes that the Aptio V firmware is more full-featured, but coreboot is more open.
Unlike some PC makers, Star Labs also offers a 1-year warranty that explicitly allows users to open up the laptop, replace or upgrade parts, or change the operating system without voiding the warranty.
via 9to5Linux
Not sure about the too expensive comments…the prices I’m seeing are very comparable or cheaper than alternatives at similar specs. (except for the i3 model) Getting the i3 model would be crazy. Upgrading to i7 it’s actually cheaper than dell xps 13 with more ports.
Too expensive. Plus, Star Labs has been having trouble even getting machines to sell in the first place. A few weeks or so I went to Star Labs to try some of their small laptops on a job. There was a waiting list and the delivery dates were wishy-washy.
One thunderbolt or usb-c port is not optimal even if it has usb-a ports, hdmi and a DC charging port. Lets say you wanna use a usb-c charger and another usb-c accessory but dont have a usb-c hub or usb-a to c converter .. bam inconvenient. Not to mention usb-c connectors get worn out .. its just better to have more than one.
Which Clevo model is this? Also, are they going to offer a Barry Allen signature edition?
It’s nice to see more Linux laptops for under $1k. It’s also nice to see a choice of Linux distros. I prefer something else besides Ubuntu and the Gnome 3 default desktop environment.
Given the similar price, I don’t see why someone would buy this instead of a Dell XPS 13 pre-loaded with Linux, unless they have some very specific requirements (like the choice of firmware).