Re: [lp-ca-on] Libreboot x200 vs. ThinkPenguin

[Blaise Alleyne]

On 17/07/15 05:27 PM, Sergio Durigan Junior wrote:
> On Tuesday, July 14 2015, Stephen Paul Weber wrote:
>>> I'm looking into this too, actually. With a recent hard drive failure, I'm
>>> starting to look at at the Gluglug LibreBoot X200... and maybe with another
>>> stable primary laptop, sending my current ThinkPad X60 in for a Gluglug
>>> LibreBoot install...
>>
>> I have a Gluglug X60 (though I've been using my Novena more recently) -- 
>> very nice machine.  The X200 looks even better.  Definitely worth it.
> 
> Hey,
> 
> As I mentioned before, I have been saving some money to buy my next
> personal notebook, and I can't really decide which one to get.  Since
> we've mentioned this topic here I felt like sending this message and
> asking for opinions :-).
> 
> LibreBoot x200 seems like a decent machine that was carefully designed
> to contain as much Free Software as possible nowadays.  I understand
> that it is unfortunately impossible to be 100% Free; when we consider
> microcode and read-only firmwares we're almost always stepping in
> proprietary land.  However, it is truly awesome to think that the
> Gluglug guys went as far as porting libreboot (the software) to X60, and
> then to the x200; it's a real piece of Free Software love :-).  Of
> course, I am also taking into consideration the fact that the machines
> are refurbished, which is something that *may* be more problematic
> (OTOH, you're helping to reduce tech garbage out there by "recycling").
> 
> ThinkPenguin's Snares Penguin notebook is really awesome, too.  It does
> come with a proprietary BIOS, but they've removed some pieces of Intel
> hardware that were really problematic in terms of freedom (ISTR that
> Gluglug also did that).  I've read they are also quite involved with the
> efforts of liberating more devices.
> 
> The specs of the ThinkPenguin notebook are really great:
> 
> - Intel Core i7-4700MQ Processor (2.4GHz, 3.40 GHz turbo)
> - 16 GB DDR3
> - 500 GB SSD
> 
> and the price is not so bad:
> 
> 1,218.00 USD
> 
> although it's much more expensive than the x200.
> 
> So I've been thinking...  Which one do you prefer?
> 

Took more of a detailed look at the Snares.

The ThinkPenguin machine seems more powerful, e.g. 16GB of RAM option, newer
hardware than the ~2008 X200. I don't think it has the FSF's Respects Your
Freedom certification though? Probably because of the BIOS software?
ThinkPenguin is a reputable company as far as software freedom goes though, and
I've purchase a RYF wireless adapter from them before (
https://www.thinkpenguin.com/gnu-linux/penguin-wireless-n-usb-adapter-gnu-linux-tpe-n150usb
or similar ).

Also, I had great experiences with same or next day email responses when I had
some questions about the wireless adapter.


But, if I buy a new machine, I'm still going Gluglug for a few reasons (some
more personal).

First, the X200 had ThinkPad hardware. I'm quite happy with the 2007 ThinkPad
hardware I'm currently using with my X60 and T61. Having the same keyboard,
being able to share power adaptors... that's a huge plus for me.

The X200 is a much smaller and more lightweight machine though. It's a 12.1"
screen as an X-series ThinkPad. Now... when I bought my last laptop in 2007, I
went with the T61 for the larger screen. I only inherited my X60 from my mom
when she got another laptop. I wouldn't have purchased the smaller X60 myself...
but having both around, I found myself really gravitating to the X60 more often,
being so small and lightweight...

The X200 lightweight + docking station combo is killer. I have an X60 UltraBase
docking station that I have set up with my 24" monitor and a KVM switch at home.
It's killer to have a small, lighteweight machine to through in my knapsack, and
a docking station at my main desk for more screen real estate. Having the X60
fall into my hands... I'm not sure I'd go back to a larger machine.

But that's another comparison point between the ThinkPenguin options and Gluglug
X200. Is the X-series small machine a pro or con for you?


And, as I mentioned, being an older ~2008 machine, it's less powerful, but
that's not a huge deal for me either... as I'm currently using ~2007 hardware
that's a generation or two back (and it's working for me still), so moving to an
X200 is an upgrade for me!

Then, for me, Libreboot isn't a strict requirement, but it's certainly a plus,
and given the other facts, adds another reason why I'd swing Gluglug, 
personally.


I'm thinking about...
- seeing whether it's worth doing repairs to my T61
- considering purchasing a Libreboot X200
- once I have at least one other functioning laptop, whether T61 or X200, maybe
sending in my X60 for the Libreboot installation service...

If I was starting from scratch and not already a ThinkPad user, I might consider
the ThinkPenguin options more seriously.