If you’re in the market for a fresh laptop or a versatile tablet-style system reminiscent of Microsoft Surface, Star Labs has an exciting offering. They have transformed their StarLite laptop into a convertible tablet, presenting an enticing fusion of form factors. This inventive design allows users to enjoy a fully Linux-compatible tablet experience, with the option to attach a magnetic keyboard for a complete laptop setup.
The appeal of this solution lies in its dual functionality. It delivers a fully Linux-compatible tablet while providing the flexibility to transform into a full-fledged laptop with the keyboard attachment.
Notably, this is a genuine Linux system, underpinned by open-source firmware powered by coreboot and edk II, with updates facilitated through LVFS.
| Display | 12.5-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit 10-point touch display with IPS technology 2880×1920 resolution at 276 pixels per inch |
| Processor | 1.00GHz quad-core Intel Alder Lake N200 Turbo Boost up to 3.70GHz, with 6MB Smart Cache |
| Storage | 512GB Gen3 PCIe SSD
Configurable to: |
| Memory | 16GB of 4800MHz LPDDR5 onboard memory |
| Connectivity | Micro HDMI USB Type C 3.2 with Power Delivery 3.0 USB Type C 3.2 with Power Delivery 3.0 Micro SD Memory Card Reader 3.5mm Headphone Jack HDMI version: 2.0 USB-C Interface: Display Port (DP Alt Mode) USB version: 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps) |
| Wireless | Intel Wi-Fi 5 9560 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Up to 1.73 Gbps 802.11ac/a/b/g/n compatible Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Power | Up to 12 hours battery life 38-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery 65w USB-C Power Adapter |
The device offers a variety of configuration options, including popular Linux distributions like Ubuntu, elementary OS, Linux Mint, Manjaro, Zorin OS, MX Linux, Xubuntu, Kubuntu, and more. Star Labs ensures rigorous testing and support for diverse configurations, and their warranty offers a refreshing approach – you can tinker with the hardware, install upgrades, experiment with various operating systems, and even modify firmware without voiding the warranty.
While the product isn’t available just yet, the store page recently went live. The anticipated price for the device is around £597, with an early-order discount currently reducing it to £416. Additionally, there’s an optional magnetic keyboard accessory priced at £84, featuring multiple layout options.
Star Labs’ innovative approach, marrying a tablet’s convenience with a laptop’s productivity, opens doors for users seeking a seamless Linux experience on a versatile and adaptable device.
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