The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware • Hacker News Board

Re: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware

#101

Post by tracker1 » Mon, Jul 20, 2015, 10:21 PM UTC

madez wrote: post #44

tracker1 wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would think that power vs battery life would be pretty high on the list of priorities for technically inclined users. I current-gen core i3 (like the 5010U) packs quite a bit of performance vs. the power it requires. For me, first and foremost are the parts that I interact with... namely the screen, keyboard and mouse. TBH, I have yet to try a laptop keyboard I like... I use a model-m style keyboard from Unicomp (1…

I know [Trisquel]'s based with dpkg, but without apt/aptitude on top of it Trisquel is virtually a deblobbed and cleaned Ubuntu, so it does use apt/aptitude.

Thanks... I looked through bits of their FAQ, and a few other places. The wikipedia article referenced only dpkg, not apt/aptitude. Though, pragmatically I load some not entirely free software on my machines (chrome proper, flash, and a few other things namely).

I still think it's cool to have open options... I've tended towards buying routers/phones that I can replace the software, even if I don't start off that route because I like having supported, updateable options past the production date.

I've been less concerned on the desktop/laptop front, but am actually getting more so.. given the lock-down methods that have been in the pipeline, I don't want to be stuck with the MFG OS... I've been looking into getting a couple C2D macbooks, so I can load linux on them to play around with... I'm relatively happy with my current rMBP, but the changes apple has made to the OS irk me more with each release.

Re: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware

#102

Post by tracker1 » Mon, Jul 20, 2015, 10:25 PM UTC

dikaiosune wrote: post #77

tracker1 wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would think that power vs battery life would be pretty high on the list of priorities for technically inclined users. I current-gen core i3 (like the 5010U) packs quite a bit of performance vs. the power it requires. For me, first and foremost are the parts that I interact with... namely the screen, keyboard and mouse. TBH, I have yet to try a laptop keyboard I like... I use a model-m style keyboard from Unicomp (1…

Just throwing this out there, but isn't it possible that a lot more performance can be squeezed out of a machine that offloads less to the CPU in binary blobs?

In the end it's all binary blobs that go to the CPU... in the case of closed software, it's that the source is unavailable, so you cannot confirm security, or patch bugs when you encounter them... tbh, I don't typically dig that deep into the bowels, but have had ever increasing concerns, that have manifested themselves more in the cell phone and home/small-office routers than anywhere so far, but with Windows RT came into the desktop world full front.

I want to be able to use my hardware beyond the manufacturer's expiration date. If I choose to replace functional hardware with new hardware, that's my choice.. but the ever encroaching state of planned obsolescence disgusts me. Which is why I really appreciate FOSS, and more open hardware options.

Re: The Gluglug – GNU/Linux laptop with libreboot firmware

#103

Post by technomancy » Tue, Jul 21, 2015, 7:06 AM UTC

acid__ wrote: post #100

mark_l_watson wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am thinking of buying a Gluglug, mostly as a political statement. Is it easy to replace the battery, memory, disk, etc. on the X200? BTW, I appreciate the work you did in the Clojure community!

I don't know about the X200 specifically but older ThinkPads tend to be really good with that. I have an X220 and it is easily the most serviceable laptop I have ever owned. It was super easy to upgrade the memory and add an extra disk. The battery is replaceable without opening the machine up and so it's easy to swap batteries if you use your machine for very extended periods of time.

Yes, that's another reason I've avoided upgrading--I really appreciate the ability to swap the battery out in the middle of a long flight without a screwdriver.

Basically everything in the X200 is user-serviceable; you can even replace the keyboard without taking it in, provided you can find the parts you need. The only thing I'd be worried about is being able to find new batteries for it; worth looking into before you pull the trigger.