Group: Hardware/Computers/Laptops/Freeable laptops/Olimex TERES-I

Introduction

This page research if it's possible to replace a Libreboot Thinkpad with a TERES-I DIY laptop from Olimex and how much freedom issue the TERES-I has.

Research

Nonfree firwmares:

• Internal WiFi: Soldered, nonfree firmware
• Internal Bluetooth: soldered, unknown if requires a nonfree firmware

WiFi

Some more research might be needed to understand if it's possible to easily mount an USB WiFi card inside that laptop.

Storage

• Does it have a SPI/NOR flash chip?
• 16 GiB soldered eMMC
• MicroSD (what standards / speeds?)

Status

TODO: look if it's supported by an RYF distribution.

Other differences with a Libreboot Thinkpad

	Libreboot Thinkpad	TERES-I
Architecture	i686 on some laptops x86_64 on others	ARM 64bit See distribution compatibility for more infos.
Embedded controller firmware	Nonfree Handles: The keyboard The power up sequence (voltages, power rails) WiFi / bluetooth power on/off Battery charging etc	The firwmare for the keyboard and touchpad controller looks free software. Though the source code probably needs to be reviewed and added to the free software directory along the way. Power management chips probably have no firmwares.
RAM	4G, 8G possible with specific RAM DIMMs.	2G soldered
Ethernet	Integrated	Through USB adapter
Display	Mate, good enough for working.	?, more recent / better?
Debug	UART in the dock on some laptops, or absent on other It might be possible to add an UART through the express card connector USB Debug (not very practical) Reinstalling Libreboot can be time consuming on some laptops (~1day) while it can be really fast on other (minutes).	External UART connector (multiplexed with something?) TODO: What is the SOC/device boot order?