System76 have today revealed a refreshed Oryx Pro laptop. The first to come from System76 that features both their System76 Open Firmware, System76 Embedded Controller Firmware and NVIDIA together. This was hinted at recently, when System76 engineer Jeremy Soller had mentioned they were working on it on Twitter.
Quite an exciting development, having a top Linux hardware vendor bring open source firmware that's built from coreboot and the EDK boot-loader to more models and with an NVIDIA GPU too so there's plenty of power involved. System76 said it "means that users get lightning fast boot times, enhanced security, and firmware updates accessible through their operating system" plus "open source firmware gives a look inside the code, so users can keep track of what’s happening with their data".
Check out our gallery of pics, click below for more:
The System76 Embedded Controller Firmware is important too, available under the GPL3 that they told us "grants you access and control over important functionality, such as your keyboard, fans, and battery". All together, it's an exciting push for more control across more hardware. System76 just keep on impressing.
Actual specs:
| Operating System |
Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS (64-bit) or Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (64-bit) |
| Processor |
10th Gen Intel® Core i7-10875H, 2.3 up to 5.1 GHz – 16 MB cache – 8 cores – 16 threads |
| Display |
15.6" or 17.3" FHD (1920x1080) 144 Hz refresh rate, Matte Finish |
| Graphics |
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, 2070, or 2080 Super (NVIDIA driver currently unavailable on Windows) |
| Memory |
Up to 64 GB dual-channel DDR4 @ 3200 MHz, 8GB DDR4 as standard |
| Storage |
2 x M.2 (SATA or PCIe NVMe), Up to 4 TB total |
| Expansion |
USB 3.2 Type-C with Thunderbolt 3, 3 x USB 3.2 (1 x powered USB, AC/DC), SD Card Reader |
| Input |
Multitouch Touchpad, Multi-Color Backlit Chicklet US QWERTY Keyboard |
| Networking |
Gigabit Ethernet, Intel® Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX + Bluetooth |
| Video Ports |
1 x HDMI (w/HDCP), 1 x Mini DisplayPort (1.4), 1 x Thunderbolt 3 |
| Audio |
2-in-1 Audio Jack (Microphone / S/PDIF Optical output), 2-in-1 Audio Jack (Headphone / Microphone), Stereo Speakers |
| Camera |
1.0M HD Video Camera |
| Security |
Disabled ME, Kensington® Lock |
| Battery |
Embedded 3 cell Polymer battery pack 73Wh |
| Charger |
180 Watts, AC-in 100~240V, 50~60Hz |
| Dimensions |
Dependent on display size (Height × Width × Depth): 15.6": 0.78" x 14.07" x 9.37" (19.81 x 357.38 x 238.00 mm) 17.3": 0.78" x 15.60" x 10.43" (19.81 x 396.24 x 264.92 mm) |
With NVIDIA's expanded PRIME support on Linux now, the Pop!_OS Linux distribution from System76 allows the ability to easily toggle between Intel and NVIDIA giving the best of both worlds when you need it. For a laptop, it's a bit of a beast and for gaming that looks pretty ideal.
Learn more on System76.com, they said it will be available starting today. You can see all their open source tech used on GitHub.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
I've also found other issues with Windows on a different Sys76 laptop we have. We're unable to adjust the screen brightness, and more often than not, Windows will not recognize the laptop even has a battery (and just assumes the laptop is plugged in). It's possible there is some other functionality broken in Windows that we haven't caught yet. I've asked as to whether these issues are also present in the latest Oryx Pro. They've informed that they're looking into it, and will get back to me.
I've noticed that under the Windows device manager there are 2 unknown devices. I'm unsure what one of them is, but the other is something like "ACPI1776" (I'm going from memory, but something quite close to that).
Seems System76 has their own ACPI implementation in their custom BIOS/UEFI implementation:
https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=System76-ACPI-Driver-Linux-5.5
I am bringing these issues up so people are aware that there *might* be other issues on Sys76's Coreboot enabled laptops.
I love System76's tier 1 support for Linux. I've been buying my laptops from them exclusively since 2009, because I know they will just work, and I don't need to invest massive amounts of time researching whether or not the model of laptop I'm interested in will be compatible with my primary OS (I'm a father and generally work so I don't have a lot of free time).
But while I'm in Linux the vast majority of the time, I do like to game here and there (and this is something that's improving in Linux, but still has a ways to go)... So I hope System76 gives some sort of official update as to what their plans are here. If they announce that they will definitely be addressing the issues that prevent dual boot from being fully functional, I'll pull the trigger as I'm very much in the market for a new laptop right now.
Quoting: Alm888...I love your avatar! I still occasionally go back and play that game.
https://www.reddit.com/r/hardware/comments/hfuulp/new_system_76_oryx_pro_model_is_out/fw3uyp0/?context=3
Looks like this guy is the principle of Sys76. No idea if the firmware update is even available yet, but even if it's not, I think this pretty much confirms that at the very least a fix is inbound!
Quoting: jarhead_hAnd again we have an Intel/NVIDIA combo from them. They are doing great things, but I want an AMD/AMD laptop. With hardware kill switches. And open firmwware. So if System76 can partner with Purism on that project I would buy one. In 1080P of course, there's no point to a 4K laptop with a screen that small.
This is why:
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-will-continue-to-dominate-the-premium-gaming-laptop-market-Frank-Azor-confirms-no-Ryzen-4000-and-RTX-2070-or-RTX-2080-laptops-anytime-soon.462278.0.html
Maybe once System76 starts making their own laptops and there is increased demand by laptop vendors in general (I don't think System76 alone would be able to provide enough of an impetus for such hardware to be produced).
I'm a big fan of the hardware kill switches myself, and I've suggested they do these things in some of my interactions with them.
We'll probably get there eventually on all of these points, but not for at least a little while yet...
I don't get the point of 4k screens on gaming laptops... Laptop hardware isn't that great for pushing 4k. 1440p, on the other hand, makes a lot more sense I think, and is something I would buy.
On another note, it looks like not only is the Nvidia+Windows issue definitely fixed, but the battery/screen brightness issues I was concerned about were never there on model of Oryx Pro according to the same Reddit thread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/hardware/comments/hfuulp/new_system_76_oryx_pro_model_is_out/fw3uyp0/?context=3
Additionally, looks like a fix for the battery/brightness issues on the Darter Pro are going to be as well!
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