New devices with RYF certificate
https://www.fsf.org/news/three-devices-from-vikings-gmbh-now-fsf-certified-to-respect-your-freedom
These are 2 libreboot devices. The interesting thing is that is says The Vikings X200 libre-friendly laptop is a refurbished laptop that comes with a free bios pre-installed and we all know that is libreboot, but doesn't specify, but we know why...
There's a cottage industry now of people overhauling Core 2 Duo Lenovos to put Libreboot and Trisquel (or another free distro) on them. Not just Libiquity, Technoetic, Minifree and Viking, but they're all over eBay too.
I wonder why nobody's doing the same for the other hardware that is or can be made Libreboot compatible, like the MacBook 2,1 and the Acer ChromeBook C201.
maybe people do not look for such devices
The primary objection to the Libreboot-enabled Lenovos, aside from dated specs, lack of backlit keyboard, lack of trackpad in the X200, and lack of USB 3, is clunky, ugly design. It's just embarrassing to be seen with such a brutally ugly machine.
The MacBook 2,1 and the Acer ChromeBook have other flaws not present in the Lenovos (the Macbook's webcam won't work in freedom, and the ChromeBook needs a wifi dongle), but at least they're sleek and attractive, by comparison. There's got to be a market for that, otherwise Purism wouldn't be selling any units.
Also, the ASUS Chromebook doesn't have good video acceleration, so you are force to use lightweight DEs, if you use them. But I agree with you, a T400 laptop with Trisquel installed, looks horrible, but a Chromebook with KDE Plasma 5, looks awesome. But there's nothing to do, except that you create laptops with the same architecture and flash chip libreboot is compatible.
Just all video acceleration loads on CPU (making the computer slower obviously), when GPU is relaxed because it needs blobs.
After nearly 20 years of using Thinkpads, I can hardly function with the crappy keyboards and touchpads that come with lesser laptops. I've tried using Chromebooks. The weight difference was negligible the build and hardware was wimpy, even compared to an X60. I missed my trackpoint and could barely do basic surfing with the touchpad.
All of that is much less important than firmware freedom. Modern firmware is unacceptably hostile. Libreboot solves that problem.
I never tryed better laptops than T400, trackpad is resposible and small enough for not touching it when typing on keyboard (I covered all my trackspads of all my thinkpads with carbon vinile for not polish them), also if you are typing it is faster to use trackpoint. The keyboard is best laptop keyboard, except if you pay a 2500$ por a premium workstation modern laptop with built-in mechanical keyboard.
Coming from the opposite end, I've tried trackpoints and it's more physical effort than a touchpad, plus all that effort is concentrated on the index finger alone.
For Thinkpads just buy a cheap Express54 expansion card with 2-3 3.0 usb ports.
Macbooks2,1 it is too hot on load. And if you use internal sound card, left channel is distorting (in libreboot or non-librebooted macbooks).
It's true Macbook2,1 it is very very beautiful laptop, but Thinkpads are much better built, mercury pcb support, better fans, better hersinks, stronger lcd support and cover...Thinkpads become cheaper because nobody want a brick laptop with that design, but those brick laptops are still better built that all modern "slim" crap.
"For Thinkpads just buy a cheap Express54 expansion card with 2-3 3.0 usb ports."
Hi, does this work with Libreboot? I didn't think Libreboot has USB 3.0 support yet?
yes, I once read that libreboot doesn't support it, but Coreboot does (thanks to its blobs)
Yes, Libreboot says (or said) that it is is not possible run 3.0 (while running free software), this is not true, I run my librebooted computer with gigabyte board and 4x3.0 usb ports PCI card, and all my librebooted Thinkpads run 2x3.0-3x3.0 usb ports Express54 cards. And personally I send one card for Leah. These card are cheap (5-10€ for a unit), just plug it in (when computer is not powered on) and nothing more.
Libreboot supported fine these card years ago.
"Yes, Libreboot says (or said) that it is is not possible run 3.0 (while running free software), this is not true"
It is true: There is proprietary software running inside.
https://libreboot.org/faq/#firmware-usbhost
"I run my librebooted computer with gigabyte board and 4x3.0 usb ports PCI card, and all my librebooted Thinkpads run 2x3.0-3x3.0 usb ports Express54 cards. And personally I send one card for Leah. These card are cheap (5-10€ for a unit), just plug it in (when computer is not powered on) and nothing more."
Sure, but there is proprietary software running inside the card so what's on the libreboot page is true: https://libreboot.org/faq/#firmware-usbhost
Ohhhh the blob runs inside the card, jxself thanks you for this information.
Do you think that it is security exploitable?
The heat issue for the MacBooks sounds legit. One of the people on this forum drilled a big hole in the bottom panel to let the heat out, and expose a fan. I'm not sure if it's an extra fan he put in or just creates more room for the fan.
It's me, yes, I improved temps. Here is no problem for Macbook when it is on idle, the problem is on load (light or heavy as watching 1080 video), when on load, now temp are not so high, it runs about 75-80 celcius, but the fan runs almost at 7000rpm, it is extremely loud, when T400 runs much cooler and very quiet by default. I also added extra copper heatsing and an extra aluminum cooler instead of crappy Macintosh dvd-rom.
The bottom hole is for fresh air intake, as all Macbooks has no instake holes, instead those computers take hot air from inside.
You should start offering Libreboot enabled MacBooks for sale online, such as eBay or your own website. With your modifications it should work well, although I'd make it an option whether to remove the DVD-ROM for the extra heat sink or not.
You could even put a decal on the lid with the Trisquel logo on it for the Apple logo light to shine through.
First, download the Trisquel logo from here https://trisquel.info/files/trisquel.svg
Second, go to this page for a custom laptop skin maker that matches the MacBook's size. (I used a generic template rather than a MacBook one so as to not have the cutout for the Apple logo, since we want to cover the Apple logo up.)
Third, click the "Upload" icon on the left side of the screen, navigate to the Trisquel logo you downloaded, and upload the logo into the custom skin designer.
Fourth, click the "Scale -" icon at the bottom of the web page (you may need to scroll down to reveal it) enough times to get the logo down to a normal size. The default background color should be white, so you should be already set there.
Now you're ready to complete the process and order the skin. (I'd order just one for now to make sure it fits. If it does, you can make your next order in bulk and maybe get a discount.)
To cover up the word "MacBook" on the bezel under the screen, I'd recommend putting one of the Trisquel logos that has the name of the distro beside it
https://trisquel.info/files/logo.svg
https://trisquel.info/files/logo_big.png?
onto an SD card or USB stick, then print it out in a small size on photo paper or card stock at a photo place (unless you have a photo printer at home).
Then carefully glue it over the word "MacBook".
Add a Trisquel case badge from here
https://www.thinkpenguin.com/gnu-linux/powered-trisquel-aluminium-case-badge
Cover the iSight camera lens which can't work in freedom
https://www.stickertalk.com/product/53x-white-camera-dots-webcam-lens-and-led-light-cover-privacy-sticker/
And now you've got an attractive product.
Thank you for suggestion, this is just a hobby, my hobby is repair any computer or improve it, electronics, soldering, servicing-repairing and restoration any size mechanical watches, building electrical generators...(I have much more hobbies, just repair/fix/improve everything). Right now I messing with Powerbook G4 (yes I love PowerPC machines), which has GPU problem, now I couldn't do a the reball for the ATI chip, because my flux is complete cheap crap, it boils when I try to soldel the balls, so I waiting for original expensive Amtech flux.
All of those hobbies take a lot of time (this is why I don't have much friends and a firlfriend :)), and much money buying tools and replacements. I bought 3 Macbooks 2,1 and one 1,1. First I polished them all (sand papers and car polishing machine), which took to some days to do it, but now all my macbooks are clear white and no scratches (it is easy to polish, but remove scratches takes a lot time more). One 2,1 I sold to my friend. On the modified one I put oficcial GNU sticker for cover crApple logo. All those Macbooks mods aren't attractive, and additional heatsinks makes it look like a computer from scrap I think.
Usually I don't buy big stickers for cover whole laptop, I just cover it with my carbon vinile, which is much cheaper. Take a look at some of my customizations (see attached photos).
I just enjoy doing any of my hobbies. And waste my time for them. But it is not so enjoyable doing something for money. When is for money, you are not so free, and you just "must" to do it, not because you want.
By the way when you did this to the MacBook, did your Libreboot include this? (Quoted from Libreboot website at https://libreboot.org/docs/hcl/#macbook21):
"The system does get a bit hotter compared to when running the original firmware. It is certainly hotter than an X60/T60. The heat issues have been partially fixed by the following patch (now merged in libreboot): http://review.coreboot.org/#/c/7923/ ."
Supposedly with this patch to Coreboot (which has now come downstream to Libreboot) the maximum temperature is 50 celsius.
I disassembled all my computers a lot of times. I librebooted my macbooks by software way, only 1,1 I did with Beaglebone. That patch is old already, and it is included time ago in Libreboot. I updated SPI flash to max for all my Thinkpads, except x60.
To each his own. I like the older Lenovo Thinkpads. The keyboard has been mentioned, in my mind the "old" models are far superior to the latest models.
I like the overall design of a Thinkpad. Macbooks are nice but they are hard to repair which is disproportionately expensive. Upgrades are usually difficult. They are more prone to break. Thin is nice but also easy to break.
I find it funny (and odd) that you'd be embarrassed to be seen with such a laptop.
I know lots of people with these new and chic laptops. Mostly they only surf the internet, watch movies and do office stuff. I also know lots of people who don't give a shit about how the laptop looks like. As long as it works.
Thinkpad T400 it is greatest laptop, and seems be better than T410, T420, T430. Just compare heatsinks of each and see. And yes Thinkpads are perfect, but Macbooks looks much better. I hate all slim-light-ultra books crap.
"is clunky, ugly design. It's just embarrassing to be seen with such a brutally ugly machine."
Maybe it's just me but I think it's a plus. In addition, the scratches and dents on my ThinkPad give it character.
"Utilitarian" is the word in my book (rather than "brutal").
Man what is that computer? looks like a soviet union military computer for nuclear war. I see that it has Elbrus CPU, which is great.
It's a Russian laptop MCST Elbrus NT-R1000. Heavy duty 10 kg. NT = Nosimyi Terminal "Portable Terminal". Waterproof immersed in 1 m / 2 hours. Display 15" 1024 x 768. 800--1000 MHz / 4GB. Built-in GLONASS/GPS. $3000 up. Elbrus OS.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MCST
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/mcst-elbrus-4c-x86-programs,29077.html
http://www.mcst.ru/zashhishhennyj-noutbuk-nt-r1000
They have another military grade workstation (Intel):
http://www.npo-pusk.ru/catalog/monoblochnye-vychisliteli.htm?id=546
I'll add that if this design is good enough for space stations, it's good enough for me. Sleek and attractive is about form over function. But I agree that before the X230 (not usable in total freedom though), Thinkpads aren't very attractive. Still, I've seen way uglier, and not much more attractive besides Macbooks Pro (but those look fragile, even with the aluminium. Maybe the glass screen. And the price tag).
Some pics to make Thinkpad owners (even) better about it:
http://www.wirefresh.com/images/space-station-10-years-thinkpad-1.jpg
https://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-35/hires/iss035e022360.jpg
