It's been a while since I've last seen a laptop powered by 18650s. The thickness seems to be directly the result of using them there.

I'm intrigued by this, but waiting for the MNT Reform Next.. https://www.crowdsupply.com/mnt/mnt-reform-next

• vaylian

  today at 9:47 AM

  They also have a small-form-factor stationary computer in the pipeline: https://www.crowdsupply.com/mnt-research/mnt-station

I think 1450 EUR for a 16GB RK3588 is hard to justify. Is the Rockchip open to begin with?

I'd go for a framework using the Roma or CIX boards if I wanted to go for an "open hardware but not really" goal.

It's an interesting concept, but perhaps a bit financially and environmentally wasteful, when you can get a 10 year old ThinkPad for 10% of the price that will perform roughly as well as this one. We don't need to bring more low-powered laptops into this world.

• utopiah

  today at 10:41 AM

  Maybe https://www.ifixit.com/News/94927/how-open-hardware-empowers... helps to get how it's different than "just" getting older hardware that had good repairability scores (indeed like ThinkPabs,cf https://www.ifixit.com/repairability/laptop-repairability-sc... ) namely that the idea isn't to "hijack" a locked-down supply chain and get cheap parts assembled anywhere. Rather it's to challenge that supply chain and open it up, which is indeed going to be expensive, maybe even environmentally wasteful (to clarify IMHO) at first but then long term will radically improve the situation.

  • whateverboat

    today at 10:53 AM

    How are they better than framework? Looks a worse product for much higher prices.

• miladyincontrol

  today at 10:44 AM

  Agree, being weaker than an N100 I would argue by large it is already ewaste compared to just getting an old thinkpad or similar.

  Its over engineered in some ways and woefully under engineered in others. Any real effort in making it more performant or trying to extend it's life will just generate more additional ewaste than it will save by just reusing existing hardware.

• timschmidt

  today at 10:28 AM

  On the other hand, since all the design files are available, anyone can design an upgraded motherboard for this machine and keep all the other parts out of the landfill.

  • exitb

    today at 10:49 AM

    That’s true. It doesn’t even have to be just „anyone” as they sell compute module upgrades themselves. The thing it though, the old ThinkPads are already here, readily available. It’s still more environmentally conscious to get one every few years instead of buying a new compute module.

I've been looking into switching away from apple and try to buy more EU based services and products.

I love the concept and might just buy one to support the project, but I want something sleeker for my daily use. So I'm considering slimbook & tuxedo atm as buy-from-eu options.

• dlahoda

  today at 9:06 AM

  Where do you want it to be produced? Assembly is not production, essential parts production is.

the trackball is interesting

Can you fly with stuff like this? I only wonder because of the battery setup. Very cool, I would personally use a regular track pad over the ball as I prefer as little mouse interaction as possible and it would stay out of the way better.

• olgierd

  today at 9:08 AM

  Off the shelf LiFePo4 18650, marked capacity - not at all sketchy. 8 cells are way below the carry-on limit of 100 Wh.

• megasquid

  today at 9:01 AM

  Have multiple times no problems.

As it's not very small, it would be a lot cooler if it had a full no compromise TKL mechanical keyboard.

Looks really cool!