Are you happy with your Librem 14?

Hardware
4

Thanks for the info. Can the keyboard be easily swapped out similar to how Lenovo does it or is it built into the chassis?

5

Yes, I am very happy with my Librem 14. I am a former Apple user that switched from a MacBook Pro to a Librem 13 a few years ago, and then I pre-ordered the Librem 14 when it was announced. I think PureOS is great for former Apple users, but QubesOS is the absolute best OS, and it is awesome on this laptop with 64GB of RAM and an NVME SSD. I wrote a review here.

As you pointed out, there is no way to know how many or what percent of Librem 14 users have issues with their laptop. I can only share my experience.

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6

Coming from a Mac I love my Librem 14. I’ve had a few issues, but I’m VERY understanding as to the why. Still learning how to use linux, minor software things, but overall I’m extremely happy with it. The main move is I love Purisms mission with their devices and OS. I support a company whos goal is to keep users safe in this digital age. When you get a Purism laptop your getting that.

The thing for me was the design. Clean, simple and has hardware kill switches. I love the Pureboot feature as i do travel a lot. Good to know my data is secure.

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7

The holes for the keys are cut in the top, so you can’t swap a different keyboard. But I suspect you can replace a defective keyboard. It’s covered in the warranty.

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8

I’m not sure how this can be addressed. If the kernel is updated, then the files in /boot are updated, and I don’t know how Pureboot could distinguish between files modified by an update, or ones modified maliciously by an attacker

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9

I loved it while it was working but I suggest you take a look at this thread before sinking a bunch of money into a Librem 14: New Librem 14 will not power on

I bought mine two months ago, it has failed twice with the same known defect that many others have reported and that Purism is clearly aware of, and I’ve had a functional laptop for less than 21 days since I paid for it. Purism is refusing to offer a refund, and will only cover another round at a warranty repair. I would not buy this brand again.

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10

Since Pureboot is the only entity that is supposed to modify kernel files, this becomes a basic problem of authentication and as such there is a solution(s).

11

that’s not true (nor supposed to be) though - any entity with root access can write to the /boot filesystem.

What you’re proposing would require /boot to be mounted RO in the kexec’d kernel with no workaround, and for Pureboot to handle kernel updates

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12

Why can’t there be a mechanism where the keys are re-signed when an authorized update modifies boot files are done as opposed to the next boot where the user is guessing whether or not the changes in the boot files were the ones authorized by them?

This is done at update-time for MOK updates https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UEFI/SecureBoot .

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13

there could be, but it would need to be handled by the OS then, not Pureboot. And while we could do that for PureOS, that wouldn’t help anyone running Qubes or any other OS, so it would be of limited value.

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14

Those twelve people are just out of luck.

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15

:rofl: Now that’s funny.

16

BLUF: I’m not satisfied with the Librem 14 and would not make the purchase again. I came from the Mac Universe and probably have too high of expectations. I paid short of two grand, and I now know it was a financial mistake. The Librem 14 was (supposed) to be my daily driver and the screen stopped displaying in under a year. Additionally, if you do not have an interest in learning Linux, do not buy the Librem 14. You will have to address weird quirks, and dig into the terminal.

One pro to buying is: this forum/community is very responsive and willing to help if there are issues.

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17

Purism provides at least a year of warranty.

As a long-term Linux user, I’m curious, what brought you to the terminal. Everything has been working smoothly on my Librem 15.

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18
  • You’re correct, Purism does provide a year warranty. I will be sending my Laptop in to be fixed.
  • I’m happy to hear your Librem 15 is working smoothly.
19

So what brings you to the terminal?

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20

Well, I’ve had my L14 for maybe six months and its been faultless. I purchased it with 8gb ram and maxxed it out to 64g with the more expensive pro ssd.

Mine came with qubes and as a long time qubes user it runs it perfectly. Even that annoying bug with sys-usb that I’ve had with every other laptop with qubes, is non existent on the L14. Obviously with 64gb I can do lots of stuff at once.

Believe me I agonised over the purchase but my hand was forced as I had an L5 ordered which was months and months away and I needed a new phone so I got my money credited and they added $100 to it, plus I got the $60 or $100 special (can’t remember which one it ) and I bought the L14.

I had been meaning to report my experience and then this thread popped up. I love the whole package. Its the perfect size laptop (IMHO), its slim, sturdy, I love the keyboard and it just works. I did purchase the three year warranty however.

So, I’m a happy customer who loves their L14.

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21

Yes.

I knew its major limitation for me, namely the keyboard does not have a trackpoint, before I ordered it. So I have to carry a keyboard with me when I travel (rarely).

22

I’m mostly happy with my Librem 14. Good battery life, and it is a secure set-up with Qubes and Pure Boot. I’m having an issue now with the 3 cell battery (got so I can use both SSD card slots), but I’m sure support will help me with it. The mic & camera have been working well, as well as network (both WiFi and Ethernet. I like the multiple USB ports, and the power port that is separate from them. For a laptop, the bezel on the screen is quite thin. I’ve run Qubes OS, Pure OS, and Manjaro. Booting from USB can be a bit tricky sometimes, not everything works perfectly. I do love the way I can replace things on the system if I want to (e.g SSD, RAM, etc.).

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23

I have been using the Librem 14 and Qubes 4.1 OS for a few months now. Starting to get used to the compartmentalisation so it is starting to work for me, and 32G RAM makes the system flow.
A few niggles, one is accessing the camera for one of my VMs. I note you have it working well, any advice you can offer would be appreciated.
Thx

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