An open-source PowerPC laptop is getting closer

In 2020, we reported on efforts to create an all-new open-source laptop platform using the PowerPC architecture. At the time they had big plans and a PCB design, and we are very happy to report that over the next two years they have progressed to the point where they now have real prototypes ready to go. tested.

Some might wonder why this should be necessary, after all there are many laptops and more than one CPU platform commonly available. But that misses the point of open source hardware, which is that it's as much about plurality as functionality. But if you've only encountered the PowerPC architecture on slightly older Macs and some game consoles, what chip powers this device? The answer isn't one of those venerable chips, but the NXP T2080, a 1.8 GHz quad-core device that offers respectable power for a laptop.

Of course, there are still many hurdles to jump between the prototype and the final device, but given the challenge of a working laptop, it is impressive for them to have reached this milestone. We look forward to seeing more iterations, and maybe, just maybe, a finished device one day. Our original cover is here.