Perhaps rephrasing the question might help understand what I was trying to ask.
Since Intel’s newer chips contain Boot Guard what will the default configuration of the FPFs that control Boot Guard be at the end of the manufacturing process for the Librem 14?
Also, Purism used to offer the ability to have the FPFs set in a specific configuration in the past, will this be possible if a customer decides they would like to have the FPFs set in a specific manner on the Librem 14?
Here’s a pdf that discusses it more, I don’t think the intelmetool works on newer chipsets to be able to identify the state of boot guard or the FPFs anymore. I could be mistaken though, if someone knows of a newer tool that functions on the newer chipsets.
I guess the only question I would be asking about a 14" display substituted for the 13" display while maintaining the same physical size … is how the weight of the Librem 14 compares with the weight of the Librem 13? For some customers the physical size is important but the weight is also a consideration.
However the available information says that it is the same weight (1.4 kg).
What’s the difference in speeds we can expect from the 3 types SATA, NVMe, and NVMe Pro for storage?
Ball park is fine and I’m guessing SATA is solid state.
I’m in Australia so none of the power adapter types will work.
Are the power adapter options on the shop page the same as the power adapter on the product page (barrel jack)? If so, then I could just buy a new cable to the adapter.
This would be my first USB-C device, what power requirements would the usb charger require to charge the L14?
SATA comes in three speeds SATA I, SATA II and SATA III. Pretty much all SATA devices today would be SATA III so let’s go with that. SATA III theoretical speed is 6 Gbit/sec i.e. best case marketing speed 750 MB/sec.
That would actually exceed the real world speed of most SATA disks, which typically top out at around 550 MB/sec (for solid state).
NVMe speed depends on how many PCIe lanes are available to the device. Typical on a mid-high device would be 4 lanes. Each lane (at current technology) gives you 1 GB/sec. So best case marketing speed 4 GB/sec i.e. over 5 times faster.
That would definitely exceed the real world speed of most NVMe disks, which for a good current device should go up to 3.5 GB/sec, while a slightly older slower device might top out at about 2 GB/sec.
In other words, real world speed over 6 times faster.
None of this is absolutely dependent on whether the disk is solid state v. rotating rust. SATA v NVMe refers to the interface to the drive, not to the drive itself. However this discussion is not even worth having unless you are talking about solid state.
As far as I am aware, NVMe disks are all solid state. On the other hand, SATA III disks most definitely can be either solid state or rotating rust.
You typically don’t buy rotating rust for speed. You buy it for capacity i.e. a 2TB drive is so much more affordable when it is rotating rust compared with when it is solid state.
I’ve already placed an order but I’m wondering if the hinge issue was addressed here. I think given the new chassis it is almost a foregone conclusion but just checking.
@Kyle_Rankin, that’s understandable, but I think it also creates a chicken-egg problem to grow / get started in non-English areas. My proposal would be to add a “other” to keyboard layout selection.
Then, if a user selects that, they’ll be presented with a preorder-selection.
Also add information about the minimum order quantity to be reached and how many orders have been placed.
Maybe even add an estimation, on how long it will probably take to reach the MOQ, based on the orders during the last 60 days or so.
Then, customers can make an informed decision and put money on the table, knowing it could take a year or much longer.
When a layout reaches about 50% of the MOQ, make a campaign to speed it up a bit.
Nope. The original laptop campaign had a goal of $250k. I also think I’ve read here from an employee that the minimum quantity for a variant is about 200 or so.
The bar is not high, it’s just a problem if they have 100+ laptops in the shelf that nobody orders. That’s why I propose it that way.
There is a FAQ for this question.
I add that NVMe Pro drives are not only faster, they come with exceptional endurance (TBW: Terabytes Written) and longer warranty.
Me too. But one could make the sticker hack: there seems to be the right number of keys - just re-label a couple with stickers. Keys will map to what you set them to, even in PureOs, don’t they? (Yes, I know, it’s not as pretty up close, but it works)
It would be cheap(er than stocking kayboards) for Purism to sell right size, shape and color vinyl keyboard stickers fro those that could use them… Including colorful WASD stickers for gamers
Instead of stickers, I’d be curious on the feasibility of selling keycap sets. Sure manually swapping the keycaps isn’t ideal, but might be a more palatable option than complete keyboards while looking nicer than stickers.
As someone who doesn’t do 3D printing, maybe it’s also possible to print your own keycaps if you can’t buy the ones for your region?
Matt Devillier (MrChromebox) on this Reddit thread answered a bunch of questions about the Librem 14.
On the hinge issue:
Also, what design changes have been made to solve the hinge issues?
it’s a completely new design from a different partner/ODM. I’ve held it by the screen and flapped it until my arms got tired
In another reply:
the hinge issue on the 13v4 was, AIUI, limited to a single batch where the ODM changed the chassis mounts without our knowledge, and is one of the reasons why we are using a new partner to build the L14.
On why Thunderbolt wasn’t included:
Thunderbolt would have made this perfect!
TB is problematic on Comet Lake since it requires an extra chip. We debated on going with IceLake instead, which has TB built-in, but seems like a bit of a shit show still (Google canceled their ICL Chromebooks and is going straight to Tiger Lake it seems)
On video out:
In the tech specs HDMI is listed as 4k60hz but USB type c just mentions 4k. Does that mean we’ll only be able to get 4k30hz out of it?
the USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode will support 4Kp60 via both DP and HDMI adapters. The HDMI port uses a LSPCON (HDMI 2.0) like the Librem Mini does, so the L14 will be able to drive two 4Kp60 displays simultaneously
Can you use a USB-C dock from, let’s say Lenovo, to get 2 external monitors connected?
depends on resolution/refresh rate, and type of dock. USB-C Alt mode only has enough bandwidth for a single 4Kp60 display, or two 1080p displays. The L14 doesn’t support Thunderbolt (which is PCIe over USB-C, and has a lot more bandwidth), so you can’t use a TB dock with it.
On the disk drives:
How many nvme slots are there? 2? And 1 2.5” sata? So total of 3 drives possible?
… it’s going to be 2x m.2 slots
On Qubes:
Could you perchance discuss installing & using Qubes on the laptop? One thing I see in Qubes forums/boards/reddits/etc is people constantly asking what laptop to buy - you might consider putting up some how-to, documentation, etc for people to point to - might net you some extra sales, ala Project Sputnik. Speaking of which, is regaining Qubes certification something Purism is working towards on this laptop or in a future product out of curiosity?
We ensure that Qubes runs without issue on all of our devices out of the box, with either our standard coreboot/SeaBIOS firmware, or our Pureboot firmware. Installation isn’t any different than any other Linux distro really.
Qubes certification has a lot of IMO silly and unnecessary requirements that serve no purpose other than to keep the number of certified devices artificially low. But I need to update the Qubes HCL for all our current models with the latest firmware (something they require to be static for a period of time).
