Byran's open-source laptop
Hardware
open-source laptop
SHOW HN2025
3,237points
323comments
#2of 3,837 in 2025
Top 1%of 2025 by points
How HN took it
LovedMost comments that take a side are positive
113 positive, 71 neutral or asking, 4 mixed, 8 critical, out of 196 comments about the project. Thread score +0.58.
Execution: 15 for, 0 againstIdea: 11 for, 4 againstDesign: 8 for, 2 againstPerformance: 2 for, 2 againstDocs: 3 for, 0 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Impressive engineering for a high school student
From 3 comments
For those that missed it, this Engineer is in _high school_. Byran, I have been a professional engineer longer than you have been alive, I can tell you right now that I have met…
t4TLLLSZ185x on HNThis is crazy. Hats off to you. My guess is you'll have recruiters knocking on your door yesterday, trying to grab you before the next one does. Whatever you do, don't let your…
dataflow on HNByran... This is seriously impressive. You are very blessed to be so capable in so many disciplines -- design, hardware, software, storytelling. It is a massively complicated…
montroser on HN
Open source hardware is inspiring
From 2 comments
This is really one of the best things I've seen on HN in 15 years. The mixed presentation of plug and play components interspersed with EE problems and solution really helped…
mchinen on HNI clicked through dreading that it's got a Raspberry Pi at its core, but no, RK3588 (same as MNT is using now)! Very nice. Ultra kudos for making it truly open source. Great…
amatecha on HN
Objections
RK3588 performance is slower than most laptops
From 1 comment
> A highly integrated, high end, open source laptop. Not sure what’s meant by “high end” here. Performance is a rather important aspect, and the RK3588 this uses will make it…
chrismorgan on HN
Not fully open source; embedded software is closed
From 2 comments
How much of the laptop is open Source. How about the embedded software? Probably not. This is OK as I understand this project is a huge achievemnt. Thank YOU I've always thought…
asdefghyk on HNHoly. That's an achievement very few people can claim. Wonder if HN has a "hall of fame", a worthy entry. You did the smart thing there with the SoM (for the uninitiated: power…
mschuster91 on HN
Requests
Share the total cost and bill of materials
From 3 comments
Amazin! what's the total cost for you?
tuktuktuk on HNWhat's the BOM?
handfuloflight on HNImpressive! Suggestion: It would be nice to include a price list on the article. This project is impressive as heck, but aside from being intellectually out-of-reach for most…
frognumber on HN
Ask about RAM amount and battery charging design
From 2 comments
Anyone know the amount of RAM available for the laptop? Personally I'm a bit disappointed that it's based on Rockchip. If someone can come up with low cost open source laptop…
teleforce on HNIs your mainboard the same as the CM3588 carrier board [1] that has been re-layout to match the form factor you wanted or did you have to make other modifications? The part I am…
binary_slinger on HN
Questions
How much did the case milling cost?
From 1 comment
nice work! how much was it to get the case milled?
Palomides on HN
Can Windows be installed?
From 1 comment
So if you want to install windows on this, do you have to add some secure bios feature? Is it possible to have access to that without big license fees?
jokoon on HN
Alternatives named
MNT Reform
From 2 comments
I clicked through dreading that it's got a Raspberry Pi at its core, but no, RK3588 (same as MNT is using now)! Very nice. Ultra kudos for making it truly open source. Great…
amatecha on HNVery nice. Wish there were faster SOMs than the 3588 but maybe in a year or two. Looks like an MIT admissions portfolio project. Don’t know if it fits the uniqueness category for…
laidoffamazon on HN
Framework Laptop
From 2 comments
Framework team, hire this guy, when it's legal :)
noisy_boy on HNSuper impressive, and awesome to see that you were able to use Framework Laptop hinges. Let me know if you need more. We have a ton of remaining 3.3kg ones!
nrp on HN