Questions about GNUBoot supported devices
Hello!
I Thought about buying used Laptop in 2025/2026, that supports GNUBoot, I have questions like there's huge difference between devices like:Thinkpad T440/X200
And is there's anything to help support more unpopular devices (like Fujitsu laptops).
Is GNUBoot even still being developed? I am curious because I thought it was abandoned in favor of Canoeboot
I am a translator!
It is, but perhaps with less time resources and a different development strategy.
Overall, I think it is good to have both projects. My current choice is to use GNUBoot on platforms that GNUBoot supports, and canoeboot on platforms not supported by GNUBoot.
There is some information about GNU Boot there:
https://www.gnu.org/software/gnuboot/web/status.html
https://savannah.gnu.org/bugs/?group=gnuboot
I am a translator!
I have both devices with GNUBoot.
Main differences:
- X200 is smaller and lighter
- T400 has significantly larger screen
- T400 can have DVD reader or 1 additional disk, not possible with X200
- docking station of X200 has DisplayPort output, which works with 2560x1440 resolution, while docking station of T400 does not have this and I could never manage to get such a resolution with an external display on the T400
Other than that, I don't see much difference. I got both already flashed with an old Libreboot (when it was blobless), so I did not have to do external flashing (I did internal flashing to put GNUBoot, no difference), there may be differences between the X200 and the T400 for external flashing.
I also have a Dell E6400 with canoeboot. This machine can be flashed internally. There are different models with different internal display, mine is very good. Also, there is a DisplayPort output (no need for docking station) which works with 2560x1440 resolution.
The Dell E6400 is somehow as heavy as the T400. It also has a DVD reader, perhaps it is possible to put an HDD/SSD instead.