A (very) Casual Linux Users Librem 14 Review:
I thought this might be helpful to write a review here for any others in my situation. I’m approaching a year of use on the Librem 14 and I am the definition of a casual Linux user. Meaning that before I ordered an L14 I had heard the word Linux, nothing else. I had reached a breaking point with big tech and I was desperate for other options. I had also reached a breaking point with globally made products. But I realized that realistically I had to take the best of what was being offered and decided that a non-big tech option was still better, even it wasn’t USA made. I liked what Purism was about (primarily that they were a big tech alternative - not Apple, Microsoft, Google, etc.) so I ordered an L14 in mid 2021. It arrived it November of 2021 and the adventure began.
My first impression was that it looked very nice and was a solid machine. I don’t think anyone disputes this. The initial power up sequence was easy enough to establish a encryption password and set a primary user. Then my issues began.
I went into this process somewhat naively, basically hoping the L14 was a non-big tech version of a Windows machine - boy, was I wrong. I quickly learned that everything I was accustomed to “just happening” on Windows doesn’t happen at all on this computer. What I mean by that is this: I don’t have anything close to “programming” needs. I don’t know anything about code or scripts or anything. I have all the “normal” devices a person uses in their daily life - printer, scanner, Bluetooth speaker, external DVD drive (yes, still), external WiFi antenna. I just wanted these things to work.
The reality for me was that each device took multiple days to get functional, some - weeks. As soon as I’d think I had the process ironed out, there would be new variables with the next piece. I soon realized that what I had previously known as an “installation wizard” where I just plug it in, click a button, and everything sets itself up, simply doesn’t exist on an L14. Somewhat amazingly I eventually got every one of the devices I already had to function. The process when basically like this: (1)Look up my device online, scour scores of obscure web pages trying to find some lines of code that correspond to the installation of that device on whatever version of Linux was closest to PureOS. (2) Enter that in code into the terminal, hit enter and cross my fingers (3) Be amazed that worked, or (4) repeat steps 1 and 2 until I found a version of a code that made the thing work. In short, nothing connects or functions automatically - ever. You have to find a code somewhere to enter into the terminal that makes every device turn on, function, and communicate properly with the L14. When I was searching the web for all these things I did find some devices that seemed more “ready made” to set up quickly on Linux, but I already had everything. I didn’t want to by a second version of a device just to have it work on the L14. The only thing I wasn’t able to make work myself was getting the computer to connect with my work VPN. I have a skilled Linux coworker who entered lines of code I could have never have found and somehow made it work. He is a wizard…(waaaait, is that why the call it… an installation wiz…? nm)
Also, I came to find that even when a device was working it would have certain quirks that I would just get used to. For example I got a NetGear Night Hawk external WiFi antenna to help speed up my connections. I found the install code for and went through the above mentioned steps. I got it to connect and function, but there is a little blue light that blinks randomly and constantly on the side of the antenna. I tested this same antenna on my Windows desktop and the light stays on solid as it should. What can ya do? It works, I hardly notice the random blinks anymore. Picture a basic version of this with most of the devices I use. They work and perform their basic function, but they lack a certain feature that would be there on Windows or they just do something random.
My final verdict is this. I really like it and use it almost exclusivity at this point. BUT it took me about about 4 months to get to that point. I was determined to make this work so I struggled though many frustrating go rounds with making devices connect and function properly. But I can easily picture someone in that situation throwing in the towel and going back to Windows. For this reason I have not recommended this computer to others without heavy qualifiers. Most laypeople who are interested in big tech alternatives wouldn’t want to to deal with the headaches of making basic devices work that function so seamlessly on Windows or Mac. If I would ask for anything different from Purism it would be that this is made more clear in their advertising. (See above: “[I was] basically hoping the L14 was a non-big tech version of a Windows machine”). That said, on the far side of all the struggles, I wouldn’t want it any other way. So if you’re up for some difficulty in making it all work, I’d say this computer is totally worth it.
I’d also like to say that support was very helpful on many occasions with my noob questions. But of course their primary concern is if machine is mechanically sound - not setting it up for my personal preferences. That’s on me (you).
If nothing else I gained a much greater understanding (basic as it is) of how these machines work that we ubiquitously take for granted.
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If only we didn’t move away from the trend where manufacturers used to put stickers on the boxes of the products they sell, that indicate for which operating systems they build their devices.