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Comments (163)

• lhl
  Oh, is this actually out now? If so, great, but I took a quick look and didn't spot any third party review yet. For those interested in this laptop, personally I'd still wait for some reviews from some real world people.Some history on this laptop:- The StarFighter 16 was originally announced back in November 2022 with an original delivery timeline of 3-4 months: https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxhardware/comments/yjuahx/star_...- Here's a 500-comment HN thread from Feb 2023 about it (3-4 months later) now with an additional 4-5 month lead time: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34759507- The latest production updates only go back to July 31 2025 - they mention a 3-5 month timeline from January 2025 (seeing a pattern?): https://starlabs.kb.help/starfighter-production-updates/There's an "Unboxing" video from Star Labs on the StarFighter from January 22, 2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjYJS5AJZpESo, 3.5 years later, the chassis is still neat, and good on them for plugging away I guess, but for anyone that actually needs a new computer, there's no shortage of higher-end Linux-centric laptops with a better shipping track record (Framework, Tuxedo Computers, Slimbook, etc).
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  simonjgreen
  What an unfortunate time for these niche hardware companies to be launching new hardware. Framework, StarLabs, System76, (I wonder if Tuxedo will release something). The RAM prices must be killing them. Even if they increase prices to accommodate, I know quite a lot of folks who are simply punting any purchasing until things calm down.
• LiamPowell
  Why are "premium" laptop vendors still putting vents on the bottom of their machines? Did they never try actually putting their laptop on their laps and realise how much that design sucks?
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  retired
  I’m unable to order this laptop without a charging brick which is now illegal in the EU.Same goes for the standard one year warranty. Should be two at minimum.I had my country configured to Belgium while testing this.
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  zamadatix
  This page shows an image of a laptop motherboard with socketed memory https://us.starlabs.systems/cdn/shop/products/B5i7PCB-01x200... but it actually has BGA soldered LPDDR5X.I wonder why the price difference between the 8845HS and the 285H is more than the cost of some complete 8845HS based systems. Also a shame one can't opt out of the storage or accessories like (yet another) measly 65W USB C+USB A GaN charger.Other than those things, it actually looks decently exciting. I love the 16:10 + high resolution. Screen brightness isn't amazing, but also better than average. Glad to see 120 hz+ across all of the options. Privacy kill switch is great but the removable magnetic webcam seems a bit overkill/complicated given the kill switch (a simple physical slide would have been plenty as well). The hardware options aren't too bad for an open/Linux focused device. 6 USB ports + HDMI + audio ports is great, given the thickness it would have been cool to throw in a built in ethernet port, SD slot, and DP out to negate most of the need for the dock.If I hadn't already bought a laptop this year this would probably be high on my list.
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  miek
  Excellence. I like everything, and the open warranty is nice: "Our 1-year limited warranty allows you to take your computer apart, replace parts, install an upgrade, and use any operating system and even your firmware, all without voiding the warranty."I'd love to see more than 5 years of updates, but there is so much to love here, I can look past that!
• utrack
  3575EUR seems like a steep price for a znver4 processor from 2023 to be honest.
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  ulrikrasmussen
  I have been using this for about a month and I love it. The screen looks great, the keyboard is great, the trackpad is great (I have been using Lenovos for ~20 years and though I couldn't live without the trackpoint). The battery life is more than enough for my usage during my daily commute and way better than the mere 1.5 hours I could squeeze out of my old Thinkpad P1.I genuinely don't think there is anything I would want changed on this laptop.
• kuon
  I recently switched from Linux to freebsd on my work computer and things have been mostly working. With linux chroot I can use the few apps missing BSD port.I did this because I manage a fleet of BSD based server (BSD runs zfs and bhyve with VM on it) and I wanted the same base system for me.I wonder how BSD friendly those laptop are.In any case I am so happy to see some open hardware solution.
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  tarjei_huse
  A framework competitor! Most of all I love the keyboard. Full size arrow keys as well as home, end and page up/down nearby.I wish framework laptops could come with multiple possible keyboard layouts like the one on the picture.
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  sam_lowry_
  Does it suspend to RAM with echo mem > /sys/power/state and stays there for a couple of weeks on battery?If not, I will keep my Intel Thinkpad T14 G2, The Last of the Mohicans that can.
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  wtallis
  Is there something new here? The processor options seem to be two generation old Intel, one generation old Intel, and one generation old AMD.
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  LorenDB
  I really like the detachable webcam gimmick - I'm sure that, like all gimmicks, it could prove frustrating sometimes, but it's a novel way to have both a decent webcam and thin bezels without notches, nose-facing cameras, etc.
• trashface
  I happen to be looking around for a 15 or 16 inch laptop, but these look pretty unsuitable for me. Odd CPU choices, and no apparent way to configure one with 16GB ram in this time of AI-fueled cost crisis. All but the standard are way out of my budget range - especially considering none have a dGPU. Also for idiosyncratic reasons I need a numeric keypad.
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  camgunz
  Coreboot is amazing, more machines should have open firmware--especially those intended to run FOSS OSs.
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  sho_hn
  This is lovely. I'd love it if this or the Framework Pro also had OLED options, though.My aging Thinkpad P1 (1st Gen) has a great LCD, but it's also the last non-OLED screen in my life, and I don't think I can buy another laptop without it. In fact it would be a purchase decision driver/upgrade incentive for me. This and longer battery life.Even though I build lots of C++ code, I still don't think I need more than the Xeon in the P1, horse-power wise.
• zx8080
  Same-size cursor keys (with the whole line and without any distinction) is such an ill-design decision. Nice to show in the presentation slide deck, but hard to actually use blindly.
• puzzlingcaptcha
  FWIW I have had a StarLite Mk IV for three years now and haven't run into a single issue with it (except maybe the speakers being quite poor).Unfortunately the company stopped releasing firmware updates for it soon after they launched Mk V. I don't know if it can be still built from source for the older devices.
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  sillysaurusx
  One of the best investments I’ve ever made was to get an 8TB drive for my laptop. Never having to worry about disk space again is so nice. Consider it if you’re in the market for a new laptop.
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  sschueller
  Nice but Switzerland and the EU by law require a minimum of a 2 year warranty. You can't sell a device with less.
• culebron21
  Finally someone made a laptop with PgUp/PgDn/Home/End column, like Toshiba! Thank you!
• rawling
  > 5 years of updatesIs this an improvement on how long whatever it's talking about usually gets updates for, or is putting a limit on it at all a bad sign? I've only seen this with regards to mobile phones before.
• rawoke083600
  Looks nice ! :) I like the design and nameNot sure who the target market is.. but on the homepage it only lists the CPU's in the era of AI/Models etc I'd put the GPU and VRAM somewhere on mainpage as well.Even when I view "Tech Specs" still don't see the VRAM ? Just some feedback.
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  fagnerbrack
  I like to use laptop in the beach. No glare means I can see it even with the sun light reflecting?
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  benoau
  Jeez what an amazing month for premium Linux laptops.
• rswail
  An ISO keyboard with the big enter key is definitely a plus!
• bhasi
  The key on the top right corner of the keyboard being the poweroff button instead of the Delete key gets an instant NACK from me.
• skiing_crawling
  I noticed they offer all the storage upgrades at or below retail cost. Nice.
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  fabiensanglard
  Opensource firmware?Does it mean this machine has the potential of having amazing battery life since it can be fully programmed? I am talking as close to MacBook Pro level (not accounting for arm vs intel/amd difference).
• iamcalledrob
  Very happy to see a 4K display. Framework take note!
• Zababa
  Sad for the processor, it has a "16-core Intel Ultra 9 285H" which is from what I understand intel 15th gen, while the 16th gen, "Panther Lake", seems to be the one giving battery life around as good as the M1 in the new Dell laptops.
• pinchydev
  looks exactly like my MBP M3 - and that's a compliment!
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  fishgoesblub
  Looks generic, and has the stereotypical abysmal keyboard and trackpad as any laptop made in the past 10+ years. Put this in a room with a few other laptops and it'd be hard to pick it out from the crowd. The only thing it has going for it are the raw specs, but it's eventually marred by the price for what is a poor typing and trackpad experience.
• binary132
  Every new $3000 computer I see just makes me glad I bought a Snapdragon X2 laptop.
• fragmede
  No fingerprint sensor.
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  analog8374
  does anybody do built-in trackballs anymore? I really like those.
• moron4hire
  I had a Starbook for three years. It was constantly plauged with power issues. As long as I had it plugged in via the barrel connector, everything was fine. But if I tried to charge it over USB-C, it would often fail to boot, lock up, require hard power cycling, and still not come back stable. If I left it completely shut down for a week, the battery would be dead and I couldn't get it back until it had charged (with the barrel connector charger, it would not charge from dead in USB-C) for at least 10 minutes.Everything else about the computer I loved, but the power issue often meant it was not available when I wanted it. I eventually sold it on eBay (with full disclosure of the issues).
• walrus01
  For the price I was expecting actual wifi 7 (802.11be standards compliant) and USB3.2 10 Gbps capability on the type A ports.
• SilentM68
  Those are nice looking machines. I don't see any mention of high-end GPUs, though. Do you offer any models that include heavy-duty GPUs for the more usually beefier AI stuff?
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  operatingthetan
  It would have been better if they didn't make it look a little bit too inspired by the Macbook Pro.
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  SilverElfin
  They aren’t US based right? Does that mean tariffs for US shipping?Are these a good pick for a non-programmer who is interested in Linux but intimidated by it?
• creshal
  Oh look, another generic Macbook clone.
• anon
  undefined
• uoaei
  Tried and failed to beat Framework to market. Frankly I'm hopeful that Framework beats this offering out, though I'm happy for the competitive pressure.
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  paulpauper
  lol Up to18 hrsbattery lifeif you put it in sleep mode maybe. why do people keep lying about battery life?
• dfordp11
  [dead]
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  ekianjo
  No cachyOS or Arch install options. Proposing Manjaro in 2026 is major clueless
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  ilaksh
  Says nothing about AI capability or even graphics. I am skeptical about the value.
• orliesaurus
  Can I run local LLM models on this? There's no reference to it in the marketing.
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  AngryData
  I don't know how anybody can stand not having a numpad.