Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments on Framework Laptop is an upgradable, repairable & modular laptop based on Intel 11th gen SoC

Framework Laptop is an upgradable, repairable & modular laptop based on Intel 11th gen SoC

Most laptops are not made to be serviced by the end-users or expanded. In the part of the world where I live, I still have a “warranty void” sticker if I open my laptop to add an M.2 SSD. There are very few laptops with full documentation and whose companies encourage users to update and modify the hardware. Olimex TERES-I and MNT Reform 2 open-source hardware laptops do offer modularity, customization, and repairability, but they are based on low-power Arm processors and cater to a rather niche market. However, a new company called Framework is preparing to launch a modular laptop that is easily upgradeable and repairable with a more powerful set of features. The Framework laptop will be initially offered with a choice of 11th generation Intel Core processor, up to 64GB RAM, up to 4TB SSD storage, a 13.5-inch display, a Full HD webcam, a 55Wh battery, and weight less than 1.3kg with a thickness of 15.85 mm. […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 12 Comments on Pipo W12 Arm Windows 10 Laptop finally launched for $422 and up

Pipo W12 Arm Windows 10 Laptop finally launched for $422 and up

Pipo showcased a Snadragon 850 powered 2-in-1 laptop in fall 2019, and said it expected it to sell for around $400. But it appears it took quite longer than expected to launch the Arm Windows 10 laptop, and only now can we see PiPo W12 laptop sold on Aliexpress for around $422 and up plus shipping. The 2-in-1 laptop comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, 4GB or 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, as well as WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and 4G LTE connectivity. Pipo W12 specifications have changed a little bit since the first announcement, notably the display resolution, and we’ve got a few more details: SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 octa-core Kryo 385 Arm cores clocked @ up to 2.96 GHz with Adreno 630 Visual Processing Subsystem, Hexagon 685 DSP System Memory – 4GB or 8GB DDR4 RAM Storage – 256GB flash storage, MicroSD card slot Display – 12.3″ IPS display with 2888×1920 resolution, 10-point touch Audio – 3.5mm audio […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments on Lenovo LAVIE MINI 8-inch mini laptop to come with optional desktop and gaming docks

Lenovo LAVIE MINI 8-inch mini laptop to come with optional desktop and gaming docks

In the last two years or so, we’ve seen several so-called mini laptops with screen sizes from 5-inch to 8-inch mostly from smaller companies like GPD and One Netbook, but also CHUWI to a lesser extent. Now Lenovo has entered the fray with LAVIE MINI mini laptop powered by an Intel Tiger Lake processor and equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen display. The device is also offered with optional accessories including an HDMI desktop docking station and a gaming dock with two game controllers. Lenovo LAVIE MINI preliminary specifications: SoC – Intel Tiger Lake with Intel Xe graphics up to Intel Core i7-1180G7 SoC System Memory – 16GB LPDDR4x-4266 dual-channel memory (soldered) Storage – 256GB SSD Display – 8-inch touchscreen display with 1920 x 1200 resolution, 400 nits brightness Audio – 1.5W stereo speakers Camera – IR camera with Windows Hello face recognition Connectivity – WiFi 6 & Bluetooth 5.1 User input – Backlit keyboard & optical touch sensor USB – […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on OneGx1 Pro 7-inch 5G mini laptop features Intel Core i7-1160G7 processor

OneGx1 Pro 7-inch 5G mini laptop features Intel Core i7-1160G7 processor

Last summer, One Netbook unveiled OneGx1 mini laptop powered by an Intel Core i5-10210Y Amber Lake processor with support for WiFi 6, 4G LTE, and/or 5G connectivity. The company has now come up with an update with a similar design, except OneGx1 Pro mini laptop features a more powerful Intel Core i7-1160G7 Tiger Lake UP 4 processor with four cores clocked at up to 4.4 GHz, and a 96EU Intel Iris Xe Graphics. OneGx1 Pro mini laptop specifications: SoC – Intel Core i7-1160G7Y Tiger lake UP4 quad-core/octa-thread processor @ 1.2 GHz (base) / 4.4 GHz (turbo one core) / 3.6 GHz (turbo all cores) with 96 EU Intel Iris Xe Graphics @ 1.1 GHz; 12MB cache; 7-15W TDP System Memory – 16GB LPDDR4/4X-4266 Storage – 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD, M.2 socket for an additional M.2 2242 SSD up to 2TB, MicroSD card slot Display – 7-inch 1920 x 1200 multi-touch OGS IPS display; 10-point capacitive touch, 323ppi Video Output – […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments on Intel NUC M15 Laptop Kit serves as an Evo-qualified Tiger Lake laptop reference design

Intel NUC M15 Laptop Kit serves as an Evo-qualified Tiger Lake laptop reference design

Intel NUC mini PCs or mini Desktops have been around for over 8 years, but now Intel has just announced an NUC laptop kit. Wait… What? Yep, NUC just stands for “Next Unit of Computing”, so it can be any kind of computer, and the company’s latest NUC is Intel NUC M15 laptop kit (codenamed “Bishop County”) powered by an Intel 11th generation Tiger Lake processor. The NUC M15 laptop kit complies with Project Athena that aims for thin laptops with fast response times and long battery life and targets the whitebook market, so Intel customers can use it as a reference design meeting Intel Evo platform brand requirements. Intel NUC M15 laptop kit (LAPBC710 and LAPBC510) specifications: SoC LAPBC710 – Intel Core i7-1165G7 quad-core/octa-thread Tiger Lake processor @ up to 2.8 GHz (base) / 4.7 GHz (Turbo single-core) / 4.1 GHz (Turbo all-core) with 12M Cache, 96 EU Intel Iris Xe graphics @ up to 1.30 GHz; TDP: 15-28W […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 22 Comments on Arm Cortex-A78C core supports up to 8 cores per cluster, 8MB L3 cache for always-on laptops

Arm Cortex-A78C core supports up to 8 cores per cluster, 8MB L3 cache for always-on laptops

[Update November 7, 2020:  Correction for the meaning of “multi-OS support” on Arm Cortex-A78AE core] Arm Cortex-A78 CPU core was first introduced in May 2020 with a focus on mobile devices like smartphones and was followed by Cortex-A78AE for automotive and industrial embedded applications in September. The company has now introduced a new variant with Arm Cortex-A78C supporting up to eight cores per cluster, a larger cache up to 8MB for higher performance, and advanced security features all designed for always-on laptops and other “on-the-go” devices. Arm Cortex-A78C key features and specifications: Architecture –  Armv8-A (Harvard) Extensions – Armv8.1, Armv8.2, Cryptography, and RAS; Armv8.3 (LDAPR instructions only), Armv8.3-A and Armv8.6-A Pointer Authentication support (excluding the optional FPAC extension), and Armv8.4 multi-OS support ISA support – A64, A32, and T32 (at EL0 only) Microarchitecture Pipeline – Out of order Superscalar Neon / Floating Point Unit Optional cryptography Unit Max number of CPUs in cluster – 8 (instead of 4 max for […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on One Netbook A1 7-inch laptop features Ethernet and COM port for IT Pros

One Netbook A1 7-inch laptop features Ethernet and COM port for IT Pros

We’ve seen many Intel-powered mini-laptops with 6 to 9-inch display in the last coupled of years mainly from GPD and One Netbook, but also CHUWI. Most models are tinier versions of ultrabooks with wireless-only connectivity, but last year GPD MicroPC 6-inch mini-laptop added Ethernet and RS-232 COM port for IT professionals such as sysadmins. But there’s now another option with One Netbook A1 equipped with a 7-inch display, powered by an Intel Core m3-8100Y Amber Lake processor, and also featuring Ethernet and COM ports, plus the usual USB and HDMI ports. One Netbook A1 specifications: SoC – Intel Core m3-8100Y dual-core/quad-thread Amber Lake processor @ 1.1 / 3.4 (Turbo) GHz with Intel UHD Graphics 615; 5W TDP System Memory – 8GB RAM Storage – 256GB or 512GB M.2 SSD; microSD card slot Display – 7-inch touchscreen IPS LCD with 1920 x 1200 resolution IPS LCD;  support for stylus with 4096 levels of pressure Video Output – 1x micro HDMI port […]

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Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on TUXEDO Aura 15 Linux Laptop is Powered by AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Processor

TUXEDO Aura 15 Linux Laptop is Powered by AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Processor

There are few Linux laptops on the market and usually higher-end ones, so some people may decide to buy a Windows or FreeDOS laptop and install Ubuntu or another Linux distribution themselves. In theory, this is supposed to work, but when installed Ubuntu 18.04 on an Acer Ryzen 7 laptop a couple of years ago, it took me several hours of work to get this working despite it being pre-loaded with Linpus Linux operating system. So more choice is always welcome, and TUXEDO Computers has now added a mid-range Linux laptop to their offerings with TUXEDO Aura 15 powered by a 15W AMD Ryzen 7 4700U octa-core processor and shipping with Ubuntu 20.04, openSUSE 15.2, or TUXEDO_OS 20.04 based on Ubuntu plus Budgie Desktop. TUXEDO Aura 15 specifications: SoC – AMD Ryzen 7 4700U octa-core processor @ 2.0 to 4.1 GHz (Turbo) with 8 MB L3-Cache, AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 Graphics; 15 W TDP System Memory – 2x DDR4 […]

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