MNT Reform

The Ultimate Open Hardware Laptop.

MNT Reform is uniquely designed to be as open and transparent as possible, and to support a free and open source software stack from the ground up. We invite you to take a look under the hood, customize the documented electronics, and even repair it yourself if you like.

Open Hardware

All sources public
Modifiable & reproducible
Active community

Modularity

Swap CPU, RAM, SSD
Customizable
Self-serviceable

Chassis

Milled aluminum body
Robust
Recyclable

Keyboard

Mechanical
Customizable layout
Dimmable backlight

Pointing Device

Ergonomic trackball
Precise pointing
Glass trackpad option

Batteries

Exchangeable
Cobalt-free LiFePO4
Safe to use

Modularity by Design

We've made lots of upgrades and improvements to the original MNT Reform model that launched in 2021. It now features a new (more traditional) keyboard layout, protected battery boards and steel port covers. You can choose between three main CPU processor modules and customize your Reform to your preferences:

1. MNT RCORE (Rockchip RK3588)

MNT RCORE with RK3588 is the most powerful octa-core Processor Module option for MNT Reform and the right choice if you desire the maximum in CPU and GPU performance as well as 16 or 32GB of RAM. The CPU features 8 cores: 4x fast Cortex-A76 and 4x efficient Cortex-A55. The integrated ARM Mali G610 MP4 GPU delivers OpenGL/ES 3.0 with the open source Panthor driver, with Vulkan in development.

In a Nutshell

Very fast CPU/GPU, 16/32GB RAM
Dual display capable
Fast PCIe 3.0+2.0 and USB 3.0

Use Cases

Software development
Open source CAD/media work
OpenGL 3.1 gaming and emulation

Drawbacks

Binary DDR and GPU firmware

2. RCM4-BPi (Amlogic A311D)

The A311D will make your MNT Reform laptop very fast—both in terms of CPU and GPU. This energy-efficient module offers a good tradeoff between price and performance. The CPU features 6 cores: 4x fast 2.2GHz Cortex-A73 and 2x efficient 1.8GHz Cortex-A53. The integrated ARM Mali G52 MP4 GPU delivers OpenGL/ES 3.1 with the open source Panfrost driver.

In a Nutshell

Fast CPU and GPU
Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 5.0

Use Cases

Programming
Web applications
OpenGL 3.0 gaming

Drawbacks

One display at a time (HDMI or internal)
USB 2.0
Binary firmware

3. MNT Reform LS1028A Processor Module

This is the fully open hardware system-on-module featuring the NXP Layerscape LS1028A processor with 2x Cortex-A72 cores (1.5GHz) and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. Please note that this module is currently sold out.

In a Nutshell

16 GB RAM
Open Hardware
Can run binary blob free with eGPU

Use Cases

Single-thread performance
Industrial server apps
Encrypted system

Drawbacks

No HDMI output
Less energy-efficient
Only 2 cores

Detailed Specs

CPU RAM GPU	Modularity Comparison Table
Display	Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) 12.5" IPS eDP display driven via MIPI-DSI. HDMI port (not available with LS1028A). 128 x 32 pixel system control OLED
USB	3x USB 3.0 ports external (Type-A), 2x USB 2.0 internal (for input devices). A311D: external ports are USB 2.0.
Networking	Gigabit Ethernet port. Optional ath9k miniPCIe Wi-Fi card.
Storage	Internal M.2 M-key socket for NVMe SSD. Full size SD card slot. 16GB eMMC
PCIe	1x miniPCIe socket (PCIe 2.0 1x), 1x M.2/NGFF (Depends on module. i.MX8MQ: PCIe 2.0. LS1028A: SATA-3. A311D: Not connected.)
Keyboard	Reform mechanical USB keyboard with Kailh Choc Brown (or White) Switches, dimmable backlight, open firmware
Trackball (Option)	Reform optical USB trackball with 5 mechanical switches (Kailh Choc Brown), open firmware
Trackpad (Option)	Reform capacitive USB trackpad, open firmware
Enclosure	Modular case from CNC-milled, bead-blasted, black-anodized 6061 aluminum. Bottom cover milled from semi-transparent acrylic.
Sound	Wolfson WM8960 ADC/DAC, stereo speakers, 3.5" headset/microphone jack (no internal microphone)
Battery	LiFePO4 battery technology, which is more fire-safe and has more charge-cycles than LiPo batteries. 8x owner-serviceable 18650 cells totalling 12 Ah/3.2 V. 5 h approximate battery life
System Controller	NXP LPC11U24 ARM Cortex-M0 chip with open firmware and hackable expansion port
Manual	Operator Manual incl. system schematics and full parts list
Sources	KiCAD sources for motherboard, keyboard, trackball, trackpad, STEP/STL/FreeCAD files for case parts, C sources for all firmware (input devices and system controller), build scripts for boot & system image
OS	Preloaded with Debian GNU/Linux

In the Box

MNT Reform Laptop with:
- CPU module of your choice
- Trackball or trackpad (your choice)
- Keycaps of your choice (e.g. QWERTY-US)
- Handbook of your choice (digital or print version)
Power Supply
Optional Features:
- NVMe SSD Storage (M.2)
- Wi-Fi card (mPCIE)
- MNT Reform Sleeve
Dimensions: 29 x 20.5 x 4 cm
Weight: ~1.9 kg

Support

Manuals and Downloads
For more details on features of MNT Reform, read our news article.
For questions, updates and feedback, join the MNT Community or write us an email.
Head over to our FAQs if you have any questions regarding payment methods, import fees and warranty.

Featured Reviews

Customize my MNT Reform

MNT Reform Camera €140.00
MNT Reform Sleeve (Piñatex) €130.00
MNT Reform Laird Wi-Fi Antenna €15.00
MNT Reform CM4 Processor Module Upgrade €250.00
MNT Reform LS1028A Processor Module €900.00

MNT Reform