Purism Librem Mini is a FOSS-Focused Linux PC (original) (raw)
Purism, the privacy-focused open source hardware and software company, has unveiled a new product: the Purism Librem Mini.
The Purism Librem Mini is a small form factor PC powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor. And, as you’d expect from this company, the unit runs Linux out of the box.
“Smaller than a Mac Mini, slightly bigger than a Raspberry Pi. More freedom, more privacy, more security,” Purism says of the device.
The minimal footprint of the fan-cooled Librem Mini should mean it works well as a desktop PC, but also as a media centre and entertainment hub or even a home server.
The entry level Purism Librem Mini specs are as follows:
| Librem Mini Specs | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8565U (Quad-core @ 1.80Ghz) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4-2400 (supports 64GB max) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Storage | 250GB SATA M.2 (upgrade options available) |
| Wi-Fi | Not included in base model; wireless card (Atheros ATH9k) available |
| Ports/Connectivity | 4x USB 3.02x USB 2.01x USB Type C3.5mm audio/mic jackHDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz)DisplayPort 1.2 (4K@60Hz)RJ45 Ethernet port |
| Weight | 2.2lbs |
Nothing jaw-droopingly unfamiliar, but pretty solid all around. RAM, storage and networking can (as you’d expect) be configured at extra cost, with some plenty of room for manoeuvre.
Talking of which: what about price? How much will the Librem Mini pc actually cost?
Well, the entry level Purism Librem Mini costs from $699 for the 8GB model listed above with no wireless networking card included and a M.2 250GB SSD hard-drive.
But although you can pre-order Purism’s new PC today it won’t actually ship for a while.
In fact, there is no clear ‘release date’ for it. It’s all a bit vague.
See, the Librem Mini will only ship one month after $50,000 worth of pre-orders have been placed.
That goal could be reached within days …Or it could never be reached at all.
Update: The Librem mini reached its $50k goal on April 5.
Tempted though?
You may want to consider getting the bare-bones model (via Purism’s shop, below) but chucking in some after-market RAM yourself (Purism charge +$79 for 16GB RAM, but you can pick up compatible memory for around $63 on Amazon US).
Pre-order the Purism Librem Mini
That said $699 isn’t a bad price for this set-up (excepting self builds) and keep in mind that the price also includes labour and the cost of testing for FOSS driver compatibility, Linux support etc.
And the uni touts ‘Coreboot-based OSS firmware and boot process validation through a PureBoot/Librem Key combo’, and disables the Intel Management Engine (thanks mr Chromebox).
If you are on a budget do look in to building one yourself. Same specs, heck same components, should come in well under ~$500 if you shop around (though it may look a little less fancy and lack some of the aforementioned features)/
Prefer pre-built? A similarly spec’d PC from Spanish Linux vendor Slimbook will cost around €629, albeit sans the Coreboot niceties.
For reference, this article was originally published on March 18
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