I am a Computer Hardware professional. I started working with computer technology in the early eighties. I have seen the evolution of technology starting with closed platforms like the game console era and then the move toward open platforms like the Home Computer Golden Age. In the last 5 or 10 years, I have witnessed technology changes that are slowly moving away from open hardware designs towards hardware that is locked down and can’t be modified by the user.
I’d make an argument for the opposite if we’re talking about the general field. The major OEMs are going head first into enshittification, while other companies are building for more open ecosystems.
For anyone looking for a list of manufacturers intentionally trying to make their hardware more compatible with open ecosystems:
I’m sure there are others, but these are the ones that are deliberately building intentionally FOR mass compatibility, unlike HP, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS…etc.
This is not to say there aren’t some models from the major manufacturer product lines that aren’t widely compatible, but their main focus is not those products.
Hmmmmm, I’ll go with Clevo. Because I’m from Cleveland, and it’s called Clevo. It’s like the PC brand that was too drunk to spell Cleveland. Which is pretty on brand for this city.
They’ll get an upvote just for that explanation 😂
Framework is honestly the best thing on the market right now though, gotta say.
System76s’ (at least used to) use rebranded Clevo laptops with their own flashed motherboard firmware. I’ve replaced parts on mine with direct Clevo spare parts.
I had a rebranded clevo back in 2009. It worked great for a few years before the dedicated gpu died. It was a sleek design (especially for the time) too.
It’s one of those Chinese brands with nonsensical names
Unlike most, though, Clevo has been around for decades and many, many other brands rebrand and sell their laptops. If you’ve ever owned a laptop made by a semi-local manufacturer, it’s probably a rebranded Clevo.
What that says about the quality though, I don’t know. My laptops have all been non-Clevo-rebrands. But they’re an established company at least.
My read into this is that Pine is so good it’s listed twice.
Oops. Fixed.
What are ASRock doing?
ASRock servers, minipcs and mitx industrial boards are highly compatible with Linux, and it’s intentional. Sometimes trailing chipset versions just to stay that way.
Oooh, didnt know asrock made minipcs, im gonna have to look into that!
The firmware they use is closed source though
Lol. 99% of all hardware manufactured uses closed source BIOS. It’s not a concern.
I can say I’ll never buy another lenovo product again.
My laptop is, of course, broken at both hinges due to ridiculously thin and cheap plastic.
This is inexcusable and only exists to make a few rich people a bit richer.
Very sad to see the downfall of a once great brand… old Lenovos will easily outlast any new Lenovo.
Well, the rootkits were the last straw for me, a decade ago. Used to buy Lenovo religiously.
Tuxedo Computers from Germany also make PCs specifically for Linux (you can run Windows if you really have to).
Waiting for my InfinityFlex!
I want the pine products but every time I see the reviews it seems like they are not the greatest at the more common tasks.
At some point I want to get an MST if/when my system76 dies. But it’s a easy to repair so it will probably be a while.
If you’re looking for a general purpose device, go Framework. Look at their Refurb store. Very reasonable.
These brands selling their own refurbished products is great news.
It gives you the ability to still support them while not creating directly more e-waste and benefitting from a cheaper price.
Thanks but a friend of mine had bad experiences with it. Something to do with the power and hinges. Lots of costly repairs on the first year or so.
Hopefully they fixed the issue.
Never had an issue. What was your friend’s problem?
The power adapter died pretty quick witch caused a mobo failure if I recall.