System76[1] has been selling laptops and desktops, preinstalled with Linux, since 2005. But up until recently, their desktop machines were designed by third-party OEMs. That all changed in 2018 when System76 began selling their in-house designed and built desktops, the Thelio[2]. The Thelio machines have been met by glowing reviews across the globe, and can be specced high enough to accommodate serious loads.
As for laptops? System76 has been depending on Sager and Clevo to design their hardware. These laptops have served the company (and consumers) well. But once System76 proved they could build one of the finest Linux-powered desktops on the market, they set out to discover if it was possible to also produce laptops in house.
Starting in 2020, the company will begin the journey to make this dream a reality. But these won’t just be the standard fare. According to Carl Rochelle, CEO of System76, the laptops will follow in the same footsteps as the Thelio and deliver as much form as it does function. In other words, the company plans on designing a laptop that can stand toe-to-toe with both the aesthetic and performance (relatively speaking) of their desktop offering.
The in-house designed and built laptop production should take 2-3 years to get on its feet. Until then, System76 will continue to offer the current laptop lineup, which includes the Galago Pro[3], Darter Pro[4], Gazelle[5], Oryx Pro[6], Adder WS[7], and Serval WS[8].
