Razer Wants To Build the Best Linux Laptop, And It Needs Your Help (facebook.com)

Min-Liang Tan, a founder, CEO and creative director of gaming hardware company Razer, has assured enthusiasts that the company is looking into developing good -- the "best" he says -- Linux notebook. He writes in a post: The Razer Blade series have become the default coding machine for many out there and one of the most common asks is for us to support Linux on it. Well - we're looking at it and we're inviting all Linux enthusiasts to weigh in at the new Linux Corner on Insider to post feedback, suggestions and ideas on how we can make it the best notebook in the world that supports Linux. So if you're a Linux enthusiast, do check out the introductory thread.

Comments

No problem

[Anonymous Coward]

128 GB RAM
(2) 1 TB Solid State (Raid 1)
Best CPU on the market
Best Laptop GPU on the market
4K screen
4 USB 3.0
2 USB type c
HDMI out
Thin and lightweight
10 hour battery life
Headphone jack

All for $499.99

Re: No problem

[cfalcon]

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/i...

"Select OS Key" -> Linux Tux

I think it also exists for the other keyboard types they sell.

Why do they need help?

[geek]

Are they going to pay me? What on Earth is so hard about putting together a Linux laptop? Thinkpads have been doing it for a decade.

All Razer does is put together over priced crap that breaks the day after the warranty expires. Fuck them

Re:Why do they need help?

[bluefoxlucid]

Stakeholder management. The stakeholders are Linux users who want a laptop, therefor they are the only ones who can suggest their requirements. Involving the stakeholders in this decision gives them a sense of ownership, so the product is more-likely to be accepted.

Imagine if they develop the best... a $1,999 beast with excellent hardware support and the highest performance available to the Linux desktop, at a price point nobody wants to pay. Contrast that with something cheaper, lighter, with a good high-performance M2 SSD--a development environment that can build a kernel in 15 minutes instead of 11, sure, but it works fine, has better battery life, and only costs $499.

Obviously two different groups of users will argue over which of these are better. Which group are they largely looking at for Linux uses, particularly developers? If they target their market appropriately, then their stakeholders will have an option which more-closely approximates what they need--paying for fewer useless features, and incorporating more desired functionality. Why pay the extra $30 for a Lightning port when all your devices are USB 3.0?

A truly FOSS laptop

[infolation]

A truly free and open-source software laptop... which allows a FOSS BIOS or UEFI replacement, FOSS drivers. No Blobs, or Intel ME.

Journalists, activists, and anyone who must have a secure, trusted computing device, need a modern alternative that be purchased off-the-shelf and supports Tails.

Re:A truly FOSS laptop

[Anonymous Coward]

Or even non-broken, standard compliant UEFI and working ACPI implementation with full documentation and all hardware functionality correctly configured and fully enabled. And of course, comfortable mechanical keyboard. Replacement parts standardized when possible and 3D printable, with schematics, when not.

Re:A truly FOSS laptop

[KiloByte]

Both Intel and AMD look like a lost cause. Intel ME is certain to contains a network-accessible backdoor, AMD's version is slightly less vicious but not good either.

There's hope in the ARM world: there's the TrustZone but some computers with non-locked bootloaders allow you to load your own code there. You obviously don't want to write such code yourself thus you probably want to use ATF but it's open for modification and, more importantly here, review.

For example Pinebook (an incoming $89 laptop) allows you to do that, and if you don't need accelerated Mali400 proprietary drivers, you can use free software. Well, [near-]mainline support is not yet mature: simplefb LCD display is like four days old and the DRM driver is not yet working, but as shipment dates have been delayed again (currently for March 20ish), the kernel+uboot should be usable by then.

Obviously, a computer where you not only can but need to tinker with to get working is not for everyone, but it is up to people like us to make it so. It is trustable, which is what you and me are looking for. And once Icenowy and the rest make the kernel usable, we can take that kernel, give it better userland than "dd this image of dubious provenience" and release to regular users.

Re:AMD CPU + nV GPU!

[higuita]

No!!! not nvidia, do not support a company that do nothing to support open source drivers... as Linus say: "F*ck you Nvidia!"

AMD Ryzen CPU + AMD GPU (for using AMDGPU KMS + radeonsi mesa drivers)

full power, open source!

You want to know what it needs? Modularity.

[Anonymous Coward]

A battery you can remove and replace yourself.

Ram you can upgrade without a soldering kit.

Removable panels to access dusty components.

Japanese metal capacitors that won't die in 5 years.

A modular power supply board.

A screen the user can replace.

Keyboard options.

Ports.

Open firmware, BIOS and drivers.

Yeah, you have your fucking work cut out for you and if you get any 3 of those into the final product I'll eat my hat.

Re:Eh...

[paulatz]

Too bad Linux still use the archaic terminal.

Saying that Linux still uses the archaic terminal, is like saying that F1 drivers still uses the archaic manual transmission. Seriously, we use it because it works for us. Actually, most of us use Linux because of the terminal, not the terminal because of Linux.

When OSX started to properly support terminal interface it started to attract developers, and now that more an more operations have become difficult without a GUI (i.e. debugging), developers are dropping it again.

Re:Eh...

[epyT-R]

You know, even ms realized the value of a terminal, and powershell was born.

#1 GET A Q&A DEPARTMENT!

[Chas]

Seriously.

Your neglect of quality control has been there for the entirety of your company.

If you're going to be selling computers worth hundreds or thousands of dollars, you NEED Q&A.

Otherwise, don't even bother.

Re:AMD CPU + nV GPU!

[Holi]

Well nothing other then posting anonymously to slashdot screaming "Faggot".

Re:AMD CPU + nV GPU!

[bobbied]

How about FUCK YOU LINUS TORVALDS!!! His ego is too big.

I'm no Linus fan boy... Quite the opposite actually, I agree his ego, mouth and self importance are all too big... HOWEVER, in this case, he is 100% correct about Nvidia. They are being idiots about Linux and not providing open source drivers.

Razer could just make a better Thinkpad.

[sethstorm]

Look at what made the Thinkpad great and fix what Lenovo broke on it. Done.