Dell Latitude E6400 support added to Libreboot, with blob-free boot (no ME firmware in flash, and microcode removal is feasible)
Hi everyone!
I've been coordinating with a developer from coreboot now, Nicholas Chin, who has been working on this Dell Latitude E6040 port in coreboot. It is now present in Libreboot, and covered here:
https://libreboot.org/news/e6400.html
Pros:
* Same hardware gen as X200/T400 (GM45) - so it's reasonably fast for many types of users on this forum
* No disassembly required: unlike X200/T400 etc, the E6400 can be flashed *from software*, from vendor BIOS to coreboot/libreboot (see instructions on the Libreboot website)
* Dells more popular than ThinkPads, so many of them available. Still very easy to find them on eBay etc
* Very cheap on eBay too
Totally solid machine too. Similar screen/keyboard quality, has a trackpoint on it. Dell basically was trying to carbon-copy their own ThinkPad.
Cons:
* None, unless you want something a bit newer, but X200/T400 fans complaining about lack of easy ability to find GM45 hardware online anymore... well, the E6400 at least gives people another option for a while longer :)
Happy hacking!
~Leah
post here says E6040 but should say E6400
Will Mini Free offer flashing service for the E6400 or sell the E6400 already flashed on the store ?
Is there really any point?
With the unlock tool provided, it can be flashed from vendor bios to libreboot in a couple minutes, if you only have flashrom installed and just compile e6400-flash-unlock (small util, only uses libc to write some ec commands via mmap).
See:
https://libreboot.org/docs/install/e6400.html
I could probably sell it, but I don't see the point. I'd not be offering much value. The purpose of my sales is to provide installation on the harder machines, where more skill is needed (use of flashing equipment).
On E6400 you could just like, well this is Trisquel forums, so I'll say install Trisquel, and run e6400-flash-unlock + flashrom from there :)
but yes i do have a send-in service. i suppose if you wanted me to give it a professional refurb and everything, and install whatever distro, there's value in that - the actual libreboot installation is really simple though, on Dell Latitude E6400. It's designed to be easy for non-technical users. Just run the unlock tool and run flashrom, easy!
> The purpose of my sales is to provide installation on the harder machines, where more skill is needed (use of flashing equipment).
Aren't there other hardships besides the flashing itself? Like WiFi card updates? Or ensuring RAM compatibility with Libreboot when doing RAM upgrades? Or just general refurbishing (as many of such older laptops can be found cheaply but with defects). Not to mention that RYF'd stores also have to allow their customers to purchase without nonfree JS. Something that's rarely possible with mainstream stores and markets.
Also, don't you see another purpose in simply making more money with this extra device? That would help your business thrive and the success of freedom-oriented businesses is a good thing for the freedom movement. Not to mention that thriving business would help keep you motivated and could allow you to port more devices in the future
Just one more ¢, the supply of certain laptop models varies by country. So the "but cheaper locally" strategy is not even applicable to some