Really, They should use a Chinese supplier to do the production.
The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware
21–30 of 103 posts
Re: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Very neat, but it's specs are a little lack-lustre It's kind of the nature of the beast. It's one of the only (or is it the only?) laptops they can do this with, so if you're committed to a FSF-approved machine you're stuck with old hardware.
Why is that? From the site I see that it's just a modified X200, wouldn't they for example be able to modify a more modern model? Does Intel have special measures to prevent that? Or is it simply reverse engineering that hasn't been achieved yet?
AIUI, it's primarily a matter of the machines for which libreboot support exists. So, for example, the X60 and its tablet version are supported, but the X61(t) (of which I have two in a box somewhere) aren't. This is a terrible bummer for me, because that's still one of my favorite machines I've ever owned.
Re: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Very neat, but it's specs are a little lack-lustre It's kind of the nature of the beast. It's one of the only (or is it the only?) laptops they can do this with, so if you're committed to a FSF-approved machine you're stuck with old hardware.
Why is that? From the site I see that it's just a modified X200, wouldn't they for example be able to modify a more modern model? Does Intel have special measures to prevent that? Or is it simply reverse engineering that hasn't been achieved yet?
Newer chips require more binary blobs. IIRC the graphics chips are the biggest offenders.
Re: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware
#24>no proprietary software of any kind Does this include the CPU microcode?
Which reminds me that I don't see the point of skipping microcode updates when you are running non-free microcode when you are resetting the CPU. This is one reason why practically I think being able to modify the BIOS in the first place is more important.
Re: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Very neat, but it's specs are a little lack-lustre It's kind of the nature of the beast. It's one of the only (or is it the only?) laptops they can do this with, so if you're committed to a FSF-approved machine you're stuck with old hardware.
Why is that? From the site I see that it's just a modified X200, wouldn't they for example be able to modify a more modern model? Does Intel have special measures to prevent that? Or is it simply reverse engineering that hasn't been achieved yet?
Libreboot is not supported on newer models.
Re: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware
#26In contrast to the Purism machines the Gluglug has free firmware. As far as I know this is the only commercially available solution with free firmware. It's also the laptop Richard Stallman uses.
In contrast to the Purism machines the Gluglug uses second-hand, 7-year old hardware.
So what? Specs are not everything that counts.
Re: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware
#27I want something like this, but for a phone. The Freerunner was the closest thing to an open phone, but the call quality made it unusable (speaker hissing and other noises).
Re: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware
#28I want something like this, but for a phone. The Freerunner was the closest thing to an open phone, but the call quality made it unusable (speaker hissing and other noises).
May I suggest cosidering Replicant[1]?
Re: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
In contrast to the Purism machines the Gluglug uses second-hand, 7-year old hardware.
So what? Specs are not everything that counts.
I think it is a fair criticism.
It correctly portraits the two options we have to spend our money on a new device:
a) Very modern device and supporting the status quo
b) A slightly outdated device and supporting the market for
devices that are more freeRe: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware
#30Very neat, but it's specs are a little lack-lustre: Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26GHz processor or higher Graphics: Intel GMA 4500MHD Screen: 12.1" 1280×800 TFT LCD Gigabit ethernet as standard Ports: 1x VGA, 3x USB 2.0, 5-in-1 card reader, 1x Headphone, 1x Microphone, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x ExpressCard/54 Size: 11.6 x 9.2 x 0.8 inches Weight: 1.7 Kg Upgraded with an 802.11n wireless card (Atheros AR5B95, AR9285 chipset), en…
> Very neat, but it's specs are a little lack-lustre It's kind of the nature of the beast. It's one of the only (or is it the only?) laptops they can do this with, so if you're committed to a FSF-approved machine you're stuck with old hardware.
> It's one of the only (or is it the only?) laptops
One of the only; there are several other models that are supported by Libreboot[0]. Of those, Gluglug used to sell X60, X60s, and (briefly) T60 Thinkpads as well.
[0]: http://libreboot.org/docs/hcl/index.html#supported_list