How to Make a GNU/Linux Open Hardware PowerPc Notebook.
This challenge was taken by ACube Systems an hardware manufacturer who is an actor of this project. The manufacturer takes part of this project not only for some profit but because they have interest in such challenge.
The motherboard is designed and built in Italy by ACube Systems whereas the rest of the notebook will be purchased in batch from Slimboook that provide us the entire body of the laptop. The body of the laptop is actually the entire case, the cooling system, the screen, the keyboard, the backlight, the webcam, the speakers and the battery.
At December 2022 we have produced three prototypes, after we have faced a partial redesign due to chip shortage we stumbled upon skyrocketing prices.
Between December 2022 and July 2024 old designer with a significant latency and unreliability have done Hardware Tests, and CPLD chip firmaware fixing, we the collaboration of another firmaware engeneer to test our prototypes and compare signals with our Devkit. We was forced to find other hardware designer and with him and a CPLD experct.
From January 2025 they have worked on fix the boot problem of the prototypes, but after ha spent quit a lot of many and fixed any pre-boot signals the prototypes doesn’t boot.
In May 2025 after check the agreement of our supporters we have decided to realize a desktop board first allows us to concentrate on getting the core computing platform stable and functional, tackling the complexities of a laptop form factor (like power management, screen integration, etc.) in a later stage if needed.
In November 2025 the schematics design of this new board was concluded but still the the donation campaign is open and need you support to reach the goal of its dedicated Donation Campaign.
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Why not use 3D printing to create a chassis, because while the filament (plastic) for the printer is not cheap, it is cheaper than buying a full laptop, and relying on a company that has no decent market share in the computer business, therefor could disappear very quickly.
Sure, in case you Can join pur project https://open-laptop-chassis.powerprogress.org/
Dire, you Can join our project https://open-laptop-chassis.powerprogress.org/