As far as I can see, the T440p is the latest Thinkpad to support Coreboot/skulls.
If I wanted something newer (say, something from 2019-2022 or so) under $400, what could I even get? I want to run my own choice of linux distribution on it, so most chromebooks are out of the question (also I'd like something more powerful and upgradeable).
Thanks.
System76 and other linux hardware manufactures make coreboot computers, it might get a bit expensive than buy some old thinkpad but I suppose if you're searching for this you have the budget
I'd like to stay inside the $400 mark TBH, and maybe running a T440p might not be the worst idea. Thanks
Starlabs.systems models support Coreboot.
There are many Chromebooks with coreboot as well.
I did go over mrchromebox, and might actually go this route. We'll see if there are any newer chromebooks that let me replace chrome os with linux by the time I get to purchasing one
would RSIC-V CPUs be compatable in the future? they don't have shit like intel ME so I'd think they'd be somewhat safer.
the architecture doesn't contain something like Intel ME. but it's MIT licensed and if Qualcomm, AMD or Intel decides to produce RISC-V chips they could (and probably will) use proprietary extensions and even include a ME-like coprocessor which locks down the whole thing.
I would like to see RISC-V to take off like x64 but I don't think that will happen anytime soon, and even if it does, there's nothing stopping the big chipmakers to put in an equivalent. Unless a company completely opens up access to their exact design/specifications (which would put them in a difficult spot since shell companies in China can take those designs and manufacture the same chips for a quarter of the price), something akin to ME/PSP will exist - at the behest of the powerful governments of the world
While it doesn't satisfy the "under $400"-condition, I couldn't withhold myself from mentioning the likes of NovaCustom and Tuxedo. For the fact that both have been absent from the conversation while they otherwise satisfy the requirement of coreboot on a modern device. With the former, NovaCustom, being arguably the best vendor to buy 'privacy&security'-first devices with modern hardware from. Not for their entire line -mind you- but specifically their NV41 Series; which is -to my knowledge- the only Qubes-certified computer with modern specs and Heads. However (with Qubes and Heads pre-installed) it starts at $1224, which makes it considerably more expensive that your stated target (read: under $400).
Thank you. I had heard of these vendors before and will keep them in mind going forward, if I need such hardware. For now, I'm planning to settle for some 6th generation Intel and run me_cleaner on it. Thanks again
