IBM/Lenovo was my first choice for the last 20 years when it comes to computers and laptops in particular. Unfortunately, the quality of these systems is slowly decreasing over time. Lenovo is doing nasty things with their recent models. Like Apple and other big manufacturers, plenty of their laptops are now sold with soldered RAM, hidden battery and many other displeasing “features”. Well, this is a bit sad, those laptops were great. Is it possible to find a professional alternative to them? A list of requirements before starting digging:
Multi-core with more than 32GB of RAM. Currently involved in Erlang development on projects consuming a huge amount of RAM and CPU, this is a must have. A system with at least 8 cores and 32GB RAM is the bare minimum in my case. An amd64 architecture is probably better, but any other should do the job as well.
Open-Source Friendly. This is one of the first important point, all my laptops must be compatible with at least OpenBSD and recent Linux distributions. It was fun to debug stuff 10 years ago, but my time is now too valuable to lose it by doing hardware/kernel hacking stuff.
Easy to repair. Fixing an hardware issue on Lenovo laptop was easy. Even too easy. In less than 5 minutes you can replace the RAM, remove a disk, change a fan… My first IBM/Lenovo laptop (a T42p) is still working today, and only few screws need to be removed to replace the most important port of the system.
Documented. It is a big plus to have a documentation on the hardware and a summary of all references in one place like in a PDF file. Lenovo offers this kind of solution and it saved me many time when looking for spares.
Battle Tested. More users means less hacking time. Using obscure laptops from odd manufacturers lead to long hacking session, trying to debug every part of something only one guy lost in China knows. Lenovo is still being used by most engineers and hackers around the world, a good manufacturers should also have this kind of “community”.
Hardened. This is another important point, but not vital. Most of the Lenovo in my collections were quite hard to break. They have not been approved with military grade, but they are hardened enough to survive most of the common issues of life.
These 5 points will generate a score, my own score, to choice one manufacturers between all of them. By the way, why this article? Well, I’m looking for a new laptop, and I was not able to find a decent list of open-source friendly devices on the web. Let’s get started!
Entroware
Entroware specialises in providing Ubuntu Linux based computing solutions and services for our clients' requirements. We have been manufacturing Ubuntu powered Desktops, Laptops, and Servers since early 2014, using only high quality components, both hardware and software.
Entroware is a company specialized in Linux/Ubuntu based computing and located in United Kingdom. They are creating laptops, desktops, workstations and servers. They give access to guides and tutorials.
You can follow them on X/Twitter or Facebook.
Framework
We’re here to remake consumer electronics to respect people and the planet. Unlike most products, ours are open for you to repair, customize, upgrade, and own at the deepest level.
Framework Computer is located in USA, offering an highly customizable and repairable laptop made to last. They are all 100% compatible with Ubuntu, Fedora, Ubuntu and Windows. An official forum and installation/repair guides are available. Documentation about this laptop can also be found on ArchLinux and Gentoo.
You can follow them on X/Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and Github.
GPD Technology
GPD Gamepad Company Limited focus on developing high quality of Windows mini Laptop, UMPC and Android handheld game consoles since 2013. With our efforts and the trust from our customers, we have established a deep and long partnership with many overseas distributors all around the world. We proudly share 80% of the target market.
GPD Technology is a Chinese company, located in Hong Kong. The GPD Pocket 2 was my working tool for 4 months during my MakerTour. It was not really a good experience, the support was not really good and the keyboard was not designed for long coding session or writing articles. In other hand, it was quite powerful for its size and was after used to host local pipeline runners for test. The company itself is not really pro-open-source, but the hardware used is compatible with most of the modern Linux distributed available (it will require a bit of hacking sometimes though).
You can follow them on Youtube, X/Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.
Juno Computers
Juno Computers is a Linux computer company based in London, UK. Our goal is to help integrate Linux and non-Linux users to one friendly system. Offering an alternative to Windows and Apple. All of our machines come pre-installed with Ubuntu.
Juno Computers LTD is located in United Kingdom. Their devices to be highly compatible with open-source OS The official support page is quite small, giving only access to some commands to install drivers on Ubuntu/Debian distributions. They are active on Twitter and Facebook.
You can follow them on X/Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin and Facebook.
Malibal
MALIBAL is a forward-thinking technology company that produces high-performance, custom laptops, mobile workstations, and mobile servers. Our commitment is to user autonomy, data privacy, and the right to repair.
Malibal company is located in USA. They are manufacturing powerful open-source friendly laptops, also compatible with Windows.
You can follow them on X/Twitter
Minifree
Minifree Ltd (based in the United Kingdom) sells secure, high quality computer systems with Free, Libre, Open Source Software (FOSS) pre-installed.
Minifree is a company located in United Kingdom. They are reusing old IBM/Lenovo laptop and secures them by installing LibreBoot (open-source BIOS). All laptops are installed with an encrypted version of Debian or QubesOS. Most of the Lenovo laptops are highly compatible with open-source operating systems. If, like me, you like Lenovo, but you don't want to mess with your hardware, just take a moment to check their offers.
Mnt Reform
MNT Research is driven by the idea of a digital future that is open source, collaborative, and modular. Our users make the existence of MNT possible and we are dedicated to give back to them by creating open source hardware that is customizable, repairable, and modifiable.
The Mnt Reform is a crazy laptop project. The goal is to product an highly productive environment 100% compatible for open-source software. A lot of documentation and specifications can also be found. Their company is located in Germany and if you like retro-computing as well (like Amiga), you should really check their website and shop.
Nitrokey
Nitrokey is the world-leading company in open source security hardware. Nitrokey develops IT security hardware for data encryption, key management and user authentication, as well as secure network devices, PCs, laptops and smartphones.
Nitrokey is located in Germany. They are specialized in open-source security hardware and they are selling open-source compatible laptops, smartphones, tablets and desktops computers. Documentations about their products are quite complete
You can follow them on X/Twitter, Mastodon, Github, Youtube, Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook.
NovaCustom
Own. Your. Tech.
NovaCustom is located in Netherlands. They are manufacturing and selling highly compatible open-source hardware including laptops, desktop and smartphones. Some of their laptops are QubeOS certified. In case of issues, a public forum is available.
You can follow them on Mastodon, Reddit, Linkedin and Youtube.
Olimex
Olimex Ltd is a leading provider for IoT solutions, small Linux computers, development tools and programmers for embedded market.
Olimex is located in Bulgeria. They are mainly reselling electronics stuff, but have also DIY laptops available: the Teres A64.
You can follow them on X/Twitter, Github, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Mastodon.
Pyra
The DragonBox Pyra being the successor to the OpenPandora, means countless
improvements upon what was already a unique device. Sporting a feature-set not
found in any other mobile device.
Pyra is more like an open-source DIY projects than a reseller. The design seems a bit old-school. It looks like a cheap alternative to GPD laptops, but it is 100% open-source and libre.
Pinebook
Our goal is to push the envelope and deliver ARM and RISC-V devices that you want to use and develop for. To this end, we actively work with the development community and champion end-user initiatives. Rather than applying business to a FOSS setting, we allow FOSS principles to guide our business.
Pine64 team is offering laptops, smartphones and tablets based on ARM64 CPU. All their devices are highly documented and 100% compatible with open-source software.
You can follow them on X/Twitter and Mastodon.
Purism
We believe people should have technology that fully respects their freedoms. Being a social purpose company means doing social good for society before maximizing profits, and that makes us quite a different company indeed.
Purism is located in USA. They are selling open-source friendly smartphones, laptops, tablets and desktops. They also have created their own Linux distribution based on Debian called PureOS (see distrowatch).
Skikk
SKIKK does not believe in one-size-fits-all. We build laptops and mini PCs exactly the way you need them — for school, work, gaming or creativity. Customization at its best.
Skikk is located in Netherlands. They are selling open-source compatible laptops and desktops.
You can follow them on X/Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Facebook and Linkedin.
Slimbook
Update it. Repair it. Enjoy it longer.
At Slimbook, we design our devices so you can upgrade, maintain, and repair them with ease. Because we believe in hardware that adapts to you and stays with you for years.
Slimbook is located in Spain. They are selling highly open-source compatible and repairable laptops, desktops and mini-PC. They are also offering their own Linux distribution based on Ubuntu and called SlimBookOS (see distrowatch).
You can follow them on X/Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube, Instagram and Github.
Starlabs
Linux hardware, built to be owned. Privacy-conscious laptops, open firmware options, and repairable hardware designed for people who want control without turning every setup into a project.
Starlabs is an UK company. They are selling open-source friendly laptops and mini-PCs.
You can follow them on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Github.
System76
System76 proudly engineers and manufactures premium Linux computers and keyboards at our factory in Denver, Colorado. Our user-driven products, alongside Pop!_OS, give creators, makers, and builders the means to bring forth the future.
System76 company is located in USA. They are selling open-source friendly hardware from laptops and desktops to servers and components. They are also in charge to maintain their own Linux distribution called Pop_OS based on Debian (see distrowatch).
You can follow them on X/Twitter, Linkedin, Github, Youtube, and Instagram.
Technoethical
Technoethical is an online shop that sells hardware compatible with operating systems that fully respect users' freedom as defined by the GNU Project.
Technoethical is located in Romania. They are selling mostly open-source compatible hardware and devices including laptops.
Think Penguin
ThinkPenguin, Inc. was founded in 2008 to improve support for GNU/Linux and other free software operating systems. The company's main objective has been to bring together the products, services, documentation, and support needed for users to confidently utilize free software operating systems.
ThinkPenguin is based in USA. They are selling a lot of open-source oriented hardware and devices, including desktop/servers and laptops.
Tuxedo Computers
At TUXEDO Computers you don't only get individually configurable Linux Notebooks und PCs, but also hardware that is perfectly optimized for running Linux!
Tuxedo Computers is based in Germany. They are selling high-end and high quality laptops and desktops. All their devices are open-source compatible. They created also their own Linux distribution called TuxedoOS based on Debian (see distrowatch).
You can follow them on Reddit, Facebook, Linkedin, and Mastodon.
Vikings
vikings specialises in fast and effective solutions for *Linux and *BSD environments, and their operation, ranging from day-to-day upkeep to solving complex challenges.
Vikings is located in Germany. This is not really a manufacturer, but they are recycling Lenovo laptops and configure them for more privacy. The list of laptop available is small, but if one is looking for cheap, robust and open source friendly devices, it can be a great choice.
Other Smaller projects/companies
Lot of open-source projects are offering their own laptop designs. In fact, more than 10 years ago, it was probably the only way to have a true open-source friendly laptop. The big problem is coming from their configuration (old) and all the hacks required to make them usable.
GenBook RK3588
The GenBook RK3588 made by the CoolPi is an affordable open-source laptop based on an ARM CPU with 32GB of RAM. The crowd-funding was stopped in December 2024. The full specification of this laptop is available on their website. The beast is available on AliExpress.
Novena
Remember Andrew Bunnie Huang? Yeah, the author of the amazing book "The Hardware Hacker: Adventures in Making and Breaking Harware" created an open-source laptop called Novena. I'm not sure if this project is still active, but it was a really great one.
CrowPi2
The Crowpi manufacturer offers solutions for Arduino-like platform. One of their project called CrowPi2 was created to offer a fully hackable laptop based on RasberryPi. If you are interested by electronics, embedded systems or to learn how a system works, it's probably a good choice.
Anyon_e
The Anyon_e project has been create by Byran Huang. The goal is to create an high end open-source friendly laptop. Everything about the project and the source code can be seen on the official repository on Github. I discovered this project recently and I don't know it is still active but this is a great initiative.
Loongson
Loongson is a Chinese company already created few laptops in the past with their own MIPS-like CPU. I got one more than 10 years ago to play with it, it was usable, but the system was pretty slow and the support not so good, but most of the hardware - if not all - was open-source. This hardware is still supported by many project like Debian, OpenBSD or NetBSD. In 2025, they announced working on another laptop, so, maybe a new open-source friendly laptop will be available. The Loongson CPU/architecture documentation can easily be found online.
Note: for the one thinking CCP will spy on their movement, you should probably think about what the CIA and NSA did during past years on their own citizens and allies. A lot of hardware is already corrupted and backdoored, this is not a news, it has been reveled by Assange and Snowden more than 10 years ago.
Conclusion
Even in 2026, it's still hard to find a decent laptop in this ecosystem. Lot of choice but their is a lake of resources and objective reviews. I will stay on my good old Lenovo laptops, they are working pretty well with all Linux distributions and OpenBSD, that's all I need. Yes, they are a bit expensive, but in fact, open-source friendly hardware are not cheap either. Anyway, at least, you can have an exhaustive list of the alternative available today!
Have fun!
Cover Image by Logan Voss on Unsplash
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