Modular laptop with mechanical keyboard: MNT Reform Next challenges Framework Laptop 13
The latest notebook by MNT Research is positioned as an alternative to modular laptops like the Framework Laptop 13. With both its hardware and firmware being open source, the laptop can be modified in many ways, making it an attractive option especially for tinkerers.
From the mechanical keyboard with Kailh Choc Brown switches and RGB lighting, to the 12.5-inch 1080p IPS panel, to the battery and motherboard, all components are replaceable post-purchase. The ports on the left and right sides are part of two smaller boards, letting users swap them out independently of the motherboard. By default, the MNT Reform Next is equipped with three USB-C ports (one of which is used for charging), one USB-A port, an HDMI output, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Besides making the device weigh a slightly hefty 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) and measure 2.6 cm (1.02 in) thick, the modular approach also has another drawback: the built-in Rockchip RK3588 CPU, featuring four Cortex-A76 and four Cortex-A55 ARM cores, is far less powerful than current-gen Intel and AMD processors. That said, the chip is power-efficient enough to not require a cooling fan, allowing the MNT Reform Next to run silently. The notebook also supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 and will ship with Debian Linux.
Price and availability
The MNT Reform Next laptop is currently crowdfunding on Crowd Supply and has already reached its goal of $100,000. The base model comes with 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of eMMC storage and will set you back $1,099. Priced at $1,599, the “Hyper” version boasts 32 GB of RAM and a 2 TB SSD. MNT Research offers free worldwide shipping, but buyers need to take note of potential import taxes and duties.
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