Dev One laptop computer review: System76 and HP strike the perfect balance of form and function

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Software developer at work comic book style vector Image: Alexander Pokusay/Adobe Stock I never think twice to heap praise over System76. After all, they have not just produced a few of the best Linux hardware on the market, however they’re likewise the developers of my daily Linux circulation (Pop! _ OS) in addition to a proud champion of open-source technology.

I’ve been utilizing a Thelio as my primary desktop for a number of years, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting the business to produce the ideal laptop computer. Don’t get me incorrect, the laptops they currently offer are stellar, but I have actually constantly been less of a fan of Linux on laptops than I have been of it on the desktop. That’s not to say there’s nothing incorrect with Linux on a laptop computer, but there’ve been specific problems that I think have actually avoided it from excelling as it should.

The new effort by System76 and HP has actually changed my mind on that position. Not only have the two powerhouses shown they can interact to develop a stunning piece of hardware, however they have actually likewise made it quite clear the power and flexibility of Linux can be harnessed for mobile devices to fantastic impact.

That’s the HP Dev One, a 14 ″ laptop computer selling for $1,099.00 that was the item of both System76 and HP. It’s very much an HP laptop computer, just powered by System76’s Linux distribution, and it strikes the ideal balance of form and function.

My only concern with the Dev One is that it’s being marketed to developers and not the masses. Yes, I get it, designers are a prime target for Linux since all of the tools are readily offered and the operating system is perfectly in the house in the hands of any type of designer. However the Dev One is too great of a laptop computer to just be marketed to designers.

Before we dive further into the review, let’s talk specs.

SEE: Linux turns 30: Commemorating the open source os (complimentary PDF) (TechRepublic)

The Dev One specs

Here’s how the specifications sheet for the Dev One plays out:

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 5850 8 CPU cores, 16 threads
  • Memory: 16 GB (2 × 8) DDR4 3200 MT/s, 2 SODIMM slots, upgradeable to 64 GB
  • Storage: 1 TB PCIe 3 × 4 NVMe M. 2 2280 SSD
  • Keyboard: Backlit, spill-resistant, Tuned Linux Super Key
  • Show: 1,000 nits, 14 ″ diagonal FHD
  • Battery: HP Long Life 3-cell 53 Wh Li-ion with HP Fast Charge
  • Ports: 2 USB3 Type-A, 2 USB3 Type-C, 1 HDMI, earphone jack, Kensington lock

There’s also a cool addition they’ve made to the chassis. If you look very carefully at the webcam, you’ll see a little sliding cover that transfers to the right to totally obstruct the electronic camera (Figure A).

Figure A

Image: Jack Wallen/TechRepublic. The sliding camera cover on the HP

Dev One laptop. Let’s have a look at what makes the Dev One a laptop for all. The Dev One’s keyboard and trackpad

To offer you a concept of where I’m coming from, according to Grammarly, I’ve written over eight million words because early 2021. Needless to state, I compose a lot, so I know what I like in a keyboard. And although no laptop keyboard will ever compare to the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard I use daily, the HP Dev One keyboard is among the very best I’ve used on a mobile phone.

Formerly, that title belonged to my Chromebook Pixel v2, however the Dev One keyboard has a very similar feel. The secrets provide simply the ideal feedback, without a ton of sound. Even much better, the Dev One secrets feel as though they could stand up to the major pounding of someone who types as much as I might put it through.

Replacing the Windows secret with an essential significant just extremely, (Figure B) is a great touch, as no Linux user wishes to see the Windows logo design on their laptop.

Figure B

Image: Jack Wallen/TechRepublic

. The subtle Dev One logo design is all class. Although the trackpad on the Dev One can not take on that of the Apple MacBook Pro, it’s still among the much better I have actually used. The trackpad is as slick as the MacBook Pro M1, but not rather as large and doesn’t accommodate nearly the number of gestures as discovered in macOS, but that might always be a sticking point with Linux. And with the addition of a physical right and left mouse button (Figure C), the Dev One can accommodate any kind of workflow.

Figure C

Image: Jack Wallen/TechRepublic.

The Dev One trackpad makes sure to please most users. And, yes, you are seeing a little joystick above the B secret. For those who prefer cursor control alternatives, this will be a welcome addition.

The Dev One’s battery

The battery life on the HP Dev One is the best I have actually experienced on a Linux laptop computer. I can go the majority of the day with routine usage, which does not consist of streaming a great deal of media or putting together a great deal of code. For anyone aiming to have a Linux laptop computer with a battery that can go the range, you ‘d be hard-pressed to beat this one.

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The Dev One’s display screen

The Dev One’s display is incredible. By far this is the best Linux laptop computer display I have actually ever used. It’s shiny, intense, and its color precision is strong. The only complaint I may conjure for the Dev One display is due to the size of the laptop. Because it’s a 14 ″ gadget, the display screen is a bit more rectangular than I’m utilized to. Coming from the Chromebook Pixel and the MacBook Pro, I’m used to screens that are a bit more square. However, that’s a small nit to pick, provided you do get a bit more side-to-side screen realty.

The Dev One’s operating system

For me, this is where the HP Dev One truly shines. It’s not simply that it’s Linux, it’s that Pop! _ OS works so well with every element of the hardware to create a perfectly efficient environment. The OS absolutely sticks out on this device, carrying out well above what you may anticipate.

What’s terrific about Pop! _ OS is that it can be the desktop you desire it to be. On very first boot, System76 has talented users with the capability to pick the design of their desktop. If you desire a more GNOME-like GNOME, then they’ve got you covered. And if you choose a sort of macOS-like GNOME, that’s available also.

With the Dev One, you get the option in between three different GNOME designs in addition to the option to enable/disable the COSMIC Desktop tiling feature, which many a designer will appreciate. So, yeah, the combination of the HP Dev One hardware and the System76 os makes this laptop computer a great choice for almost any type of user.

The Dev One is TCO Qualified

It needs to go without saying that the HP Dev One is TCO Licensed, which means it fulfills all the TCO certification criteria for sustainability. To become TCO Licensed, a device must follow the following criteria:

  • Socially responsible production
  • Environmentally accountable production
  • User health and wellness
  • Item performance
  • Item lifetime extension
  • Reduction of harmful substances
  • Material healing

The Dev One even consists of a TCO Qualified desktop icon (Figure D) that releases the default web browser to the TCO Certified Your Product page for more information.

Figure D

Image: Jack Wallen/TechRepublic. The TCO Certified launcher is ready to present more details.

Will the System76/HP Dev One be your next laptop computer? I highly advise you think about the possibility.

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