Purism, the firm behind PureOS and the Librem 5 smartphone, has announced that the Librem Mini, a free software-compatible mini-computer, is now shipping to customers that had pre-ordered it. The device retails for $699 and comes with PureOS, a version of Linux that comes without any proprietary non-free software.
According to the firm, the Librem Mini is special because it supports Purism PureBoot (a free software alternative to Secure Boot) out-of-the-box. The device also includes the free software BIOS replacement, coreboot. With these additions, the Librem Mini is ideal for those who don’t want to go about finding compatible hardware to set up a free software-compatible computer, which can be quite a task.
Here’s a look at what you get for your $699 if you decide to buy a Librem Mini:
| Processor | Intel Core i7-8565U (Whiskey Lake), Active (fan) Cooling, 4 Cores, 8 Threads, up to 4.6GHz |
|---|---|
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Memory | DDR4-2400, 2 SO-DIMM slots, Max 64GB Support, 1.2V DDR4 L2133/2400MHz |
| Storage | 1 SATA III 6Gbps SSD/HSS (7mm), 1 M.2 SSD (SATA III/NVMe x4) |
| Video | 1 HDMI 2.0 4K@60Hz, 1 DisplayPort 1.2 4K@60Hz |
| USB Ports | 4 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB Type C 3.1 |
| Audio | 3.5mm AudioJack (Mic-in & Headphone-out combo) |
| Networking | 1 RJ45 (Gigabit Ethernet LAN), with optional WiFi Atheros ATH9k Module, 802.11n (2.4/5.0 GHz) |
| Bluetooth | Ar3k Bluetooth 4.0 (optional) |
| Power | 1 Powerbutton, DC-IN Jack |
| Dimension | 5.0″ x 5.0″ x 1.5″ (12.8 cm x 12.8 cm x 3.8 cm) |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1 kg) |
As a side note, Purism has said that it will be releasing a new firmware update soon which improves the fan speed control. While users will be able to apply the firmware update themselves through the coreboot firmware update tool, the company has said that those who pre-ordered can have their shipment deferred until it has had time to load the firmware onto the device, saving a potentially inexperienced user from the hassle.