this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2023
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As far as I can see, the T440p is the latest Thinkpad to support Coreboot/skulls.

If I wanted something newer (say, something from 2019-2022 or so) under $400, what could I even get? I want to run my own choice of linux distribution on it, so most chromebooks are out of the question (also I'd like something more powerful and upgradeable).

Thanks.

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 11 months ago (1 children)

System76 and other linux hardware manufactures make coreboot computers, it might get a bit expensive than buy some old thinkpad but I suppose if you're searching for this you have the budget

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago

I'd like to stay inside the $400 mark TBH, and maybe running a T440p might not be the worst idea. Thanks

[–] [email protected] 12 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Starlabs.systems models support Coreboot.

There are many Chromebooks with coreboot as well.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago

I did go over mrchromebox, and might actually go this route. We'll see if there are any newer chromebooks that let me replace chrome os with linux by the time I get to purchasing one

[–] [email protected] 8 points 11 months ago (2 children)

would RSIC-V CPUs be compatable in the future? they don't have shit like intel ME so I'd think they'd be somewhat safer.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago

the architecture doesn't contain something like Intel ME. but it's MIT licensed and if Qualcomm, AMD or Intel decides to produce RISC-V chips they could (and probably will) use proprietary extensions and even include a ME-like coprocessor which locks down the whole thing.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I would like to see RISC-V to take off like x64 but I don't think that will happen anytime soon, and even if it does, there's nothing stopping the big chipmakers to put in an equivalent. Unless a company completely opens up access to their exact design/specifications (which would put them in a difficult spot since shell companies in China can take those designs and manufacture the same chips for a quarter of the price), something akin to ME/PSP will exist - at the behest of the powerful governments of the world

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

While it doesn't satisfy the "under $400"-condition, I couldn't withhold myself from mentioning the likes of NovaCustom and Tuxedo. For the fact that both have been absent from the conversation while they otherwise satisfy the requirement of coreboot on a modern device. With the former, NovaCustom, being arguably the best vendor to buy 'privacy&security'-first devices with modern hardware from. Not for their entire line -mind you- but specifically their NV41 Series; which is -to my knowledge- the only Qubes-certified computer with modern specs and Heads. However (with Qubes and Heads pre-installed) it starts at $1224, which makes it considerably more expensive that your stated target (read: under $400).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Thank you. I had heard of these vendors before and will keep them in mind going forward, if I need such hardware. For now, I'm planning to settle for some 6th generation Intel and run me_cleaner on it. Thanks again