Tag: Linux Laptop

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System’76 Pangolin Laptop Review

The Pangolin is the latest AMD powered laptop to be released by Open-Source-centric OEM System76, and we have our in-depth review ready for the masses.

The Pangolin isn’t much different from the Lemur Pro in terms of reliability and quality – but mobility and internals is where it differs.

Where the Lemur was Intel powered, the Pangolin has the Ryzen 7 Pro and up to 32GB of RAM.

Inboxing

System76 has one of the most unique, quirky, fun unboxing experiences you’ll ever have with any consumer laptop on the market – especially if you’re a developer or programmer.

Build Quality and Specs

SpecsSystem76 Pangolin
OSPop!_OS 22.04 LTS of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
ProcessorAMD Ryzen 7 6800U
CPU8 Cores – 16 threads
2.7 up to 4.7 Ghz
GPUAMD Radeon 680M
RAM32 GB LPDDR5 @ 6400 Mhz
Display15.6″ 1920×1080 FHD, Matte Finish,144 Hz
Front Camera 16 Megapixels (f/2.5 Aperture, 1/3.06″ sensor
Storage2 x M.2 SSD (PCIe NVMe) Up to 16TB Total
Expansion 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, SD Card Reader
NetworkingGigabit Ethernet, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Video PortsHDMI 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DisplayPort 1.4
AudioStereo duel-driver full-range speakers, 1x headphone/microphone combo
Camera1MP 720p HD Webcam
SecurityKensington Lock, Hardware Camera Kill Switch
BatteryLi-Ion – 70 Wh
Dimensions14.59″ x 9.76″ x 0.71 (37.06 x 24.79 x 1.80 cm)
Modelpang12
PriceStarting at $1,299.00
System76

Pop_OS! – A fresh take on computing

System76 laptops ship with either Ubuntu, or their own in-house Linux distro known as Pop_OS! which is my favorite computing environment outside of the music studio.

With a bit of tinkering, most popular productivity software made for Windows runs on Pop_OS!, using Wine or GameOnLinux, you can have the best of both worlds (although results will vary).

Using System76’s flavor of Linux, you pretty have access to any type of software you could ever need through the Pop Store, although it will take some time sifting through the large open-source library of unknown apps.

Pop_OS! Pop Store
The Pop Store is well organized, containing every type of app you could ever need.

Conclusion

The Pangolin is a worthy choice for any consumer who is looking for an upgradable, Open-Source laptop running Linux. Programmers, Data Analysts, Institutions and companies would be right at home, but this the type of home computer that could easily last 10 years without being left behind by the advancements in tech. Anyone looking for a new, trouble-free way of computing should take a serious look at the Pangolin laptop by System76.

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HP Dev One Review : A Unique Collaboration between HP and System76

Lo and behold, when one of the worlds biggest computer manufacturers decides to co-sign a scrappy but formidable newcomer by releasing a laptop with their Linux Distro pre-installed – people like me tend to sit up and take notice. And that’s exactly what we have here with the HP Dev One, a laptop running Pop!_OS by System76.

What is Pop!_OS ?

Pop!_OS Cosmic

Pop!_OS, is a Linux distro by OEM System76. System76 is the company that develops and maintains Pop!_OS and they also manufacturer their own laptops, desktops and servers.

Pop_OS! Desktop

Design and Build Quality

The design is up to par with many Ultrabooks that have a metal build, holding its own against Apple, Dell, and even HP’s premium offering.

    Display14″ diagonal FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, anti-reflective, anti-smudge, touchscreen, 1000 its
    Processor AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 5850U
    8-core, 16-threads
    1.9Ghz Base Clock
    4.4Ghz Max Boost Clock
    Total L3 Cache 16MB
    Memory16GB DDR4 3200 2x SODIMM
    Storage1 TB PCIe 3×4 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD
    GraphicsIntegrated: AMD Radeon Graphics
    OSLinux Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS
    Security Full Disk Encryption
    Audio Dual Stereo Speakers
    2 multi-array microphone
    Camera720p HD Webcam (1920×1080)
    ConnectivityRealtek RTL8822CE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac(2 x 2) Wi-Fi & Bluetooth® 5 combo
    Ports/Slots2 x Superspeed USB 4.0 Type-C 10Gbps signaling rate (USB Typ / Thunderbolt™ 4
    2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (one always on)
    1x HDMI 2.0
    1x Headphone / mic combo
    Keyboard Backlit – US English

    Conclusion

    (final review pending)

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    System 76 Lemur Pro Review

    Quick Question:

    Have you ever seen a laptop that came with Linux* pre-installed available in a retail store?Or even widely available online for that matter? A few popular PC brands offer a model or two, but those often come as variations of Window’s devices (and even then have minimal driver support). In comes a US computer maker by the name of System 76, with ambitious goals of changing the status quo with a full catalog of Desktops, Laptops, and more. We were lucky to get our hands on one over at our review lab: the Lemur Pro 14” ultrabook.

    The Lemur Pro was designed as a featherweight yet powerful device that’s optimized for optimal battery life -providing wire and worry-free work on the go. It can be configured to come with up to 40GB of DDR4 RAM and 4TB of NVMe storage. Like all of System 76s’ devices, it also comes with System 76’s own Open firmware with coreboot, providing an auditable full stack open-source platform for those who desire such assurance. It also runs System 76’s very own flavor of Linux called PopOS.

    The Lemur Pro runs on PopOS, also by System 76.

    Unboxing

    System 76 ships it’s laptops in unassuming white boxes with the companies’ logo emblazoned on the top lid, symmetrically placed at the center. It’s when you open the package and you’re greeted with a quasi-graffiti-geek-chic design that looks like it’s fresh out of a Star Wars meets Parliament Funkadelic mash up. I fell in love at first sight. This is the type of personality and anti-corporate flavor that I applaud in electronic gadget packaging.

    Build Quality

    The build of the Lemur is well built, with no unusual creaks and snaps when handling the device and it doesn’t easily bend – although the hinge does seem a bit flimsy. The 14- inch matte display is bright, sharp and has great viewing angles. Where I was left disappointed, was when one of the speakers blew out as I began testing recording sessions and adjusting audio latency with JACK.

    Most of the material of the build is Polycarbonate, and is durable and resilient to dings and cracks. It also has a blingy resin mixed into the material that causes the laptop to twinkle in the light. I think it adds flair to an otherwise unitarian design.

    The lid of the Lemur Pro, in all it’s shimmery goodness.

    Specifications


    Operating
    System    		Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS (64-bit) with full disk-encryption
    Firmware
    System76 Open Firmware (coreboot, EDK2, System76 Firmware Apps)
    System76 Open Source Embedded Controller Firmware
    Processor4.9 GHz i7-10510U (1.8 up to 4.9 GHz – 8MB Cache – 4 Cores – 8 Threads)
    (Up to 11th Gen Intel® Core i7-1165G7: Up to 4.70 GHz – 12MB Cache – 4 Cores – 8 Threads)
    RAM24 GB DDR4 at 2666 MHz (8GB+16GB)
    (Up to 40 GB DDR4 @ 3200 MHz)
    Primary SSD500 GB NVMe Seq Read: 2100 MB/s, Seq Write: 1500 MB/s
    2nd SSD1 TB NVMe Seq Read: 3,500 MB/s, Seq Write: 3,300 MB/s
    Expansion1× USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A, 1× USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C / Thunderbolt™ 4, MicroSD Card Reader
    NetworkingIntel® Dual Band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5
    Video PortsHDMI, USB 3.2 Type-C w/ DisplayPort 1.4
    AudioStereo Speakers, 1× Headphone/Microphone Combo
    Camera1.0M 720p HD Webcam
    SecurityKensington® Lock
    Dimensions12.64″ × 8.5″ × 0.61″ (32.1 × 21.6 × 1.55 cm)
    Weight2.4 lbs (1.09kg)

    For it’s size and weight, you’d be forgiven if you took the Lemur for some type of disposable Chromebook – but it’s no slouch. I installed and ran every compatible multimedia program available, from graphic design and music production to video editing – and the Lemur Pro ran any project in every app without so much as a stumble. I also ran Steam games flawlessly, though there’s not many AAA games available for the Linux platform. The power and capability is there if you need it – but there’s no dedicated graphics, as the graphics card is integrated. As far as creative tasks are concerned, I was able to run Bitwig Studio, Reaper, Davinci Resolve, and a host of Windows programs using app called Crossover. We’ll cover that process in a creative workshop for those who’d dare embark on the adventure of creative workflows using Linux.

    Conclusion

    All in all, System 76 has managed to succeed in what so many other companies before them has failed to do: offer an easy to use, open-source laptop running their own Linux distro – without losing any of the power and customization Linux is known for. As far as the Lemur Pro goes, it’s definitely a powerful ultrabook with long battery life and a decent, upgradable build. Had it not been for the right speaker going out, I would have received a minimum of 4 stars in every category. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to seeing what System 76 does with their hardware in the near future.

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