Published in News

System76 moves to inhouse hardware

by on24 April 2017


Linux desktop designed and built from ground up

One of the few makers of Linux desktops is now making its own hardware so that it can make sure it is more Linux friendly.

System76 is one of only a handful of PC vendors that exclusively sells computers with Linux-based software. The outfit has chosen hardware that it could guarantee would work well with custom firmware and the Ubuntu Linux operating system.

But it has not designed or manufactured its own hardware. Instead it used OEM/ODM companies to do those things, instead focusing on the software.

From 2018, the company wants to create a System76 computer that was designed and built in-house.

The company says it plans to start with desktops, since they are “easier to work with”. Eventually System76 hopes to expand to notebooks as well.

The goal isn’t just to provide a better Linux experience, it means that the company can make sure that everything is open sauce, down to the hardware.

System76 has more control over the hardware, the decision to design and manufacture its own computers gives the company the ability to share the information.

CAD files for System76 computers will be open source, allowing anyone with the proper skills and equipment to build or modify their own cases based on the company’s designs.
It is unclear from the website how they will pull this off http://blog.system76.com/post/159767214983/entering-phase-three after all, they can’t invent their own chips and GPUS. Currently its gear ships with Intel and Nvidia chips which are about as open as Donald Trump’s immigration policy.

Last modified on 24 April 2017
Rate this item
(0 votes)