this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2023
52 points (96.4% liked)

Privacy

32003 readers
1163 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Related communities

Chat rooms

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

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.

top 9 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] richardisaguy@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year 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

[–] MigratingtoLemmy@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

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

[–] jollyrogue@lemmy.ml 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Starlabs.systems models support Coreboot.

There are many Chromebooks with coreboot as well.

[–] MigratingtoLemmy@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year 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

[–] NecoArcKbinAccount@kbin.social 8 points 1 year 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.

[–] kraniax@lemmy.wtf 5 points 1 year 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.

[–] MigratingtoLemmy@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year 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

[–] alt@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year 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).

[–] MigratingtoLemmy@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year 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