StarBook 7: Linux-based laptop now available with Core Ultra 7 165H and matte 4K display

Back in 2022, Star Labs introduced the StarBook 14, a 14-inch Linux-powered laptop that ran Intel's Alder Lake-P processors. It has now been upgraded with modern-day hardware. You can configure the new StarBook 14 variant with a Meteor Lake-based Core Ultra 7 165H. Alternatively, you can pick an Alder Lake-N-based Intel Processor N200.

The StarBook 7 now comes with a 14-inch 4K (3,840 x 2,160) 16:9 matte IPS panel with a peak brightness of 625 nits. Its Alder Lake variant maxes out at 32 GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, while its Meteor Lake version supports up to 96 GB of DDR5-5600. Similarly, the former comes with an Intel UHD iGPU and the latter with Intel Arc. For storage, both versions can be specced with a 2 TB NVMe SSD, but the Alder Lake version is limited to PCIe Gen 3 speeds.

Star Labs lets you pick between many popular Linux distros such as Linux Mint 21.3 (Cinnamon/Mate/XFCE), Ubuntu LTS 24.4, and Manjaro (Gnome/Plasma/XFCE). For connectivity, the Meteor Lake-powered StarBook 7 offers two Thunderbolt 4.0 ports, three USB 3.0 Type-A ports, one USB 2.0 Type-A port, one HDMI port and a micro SD card reader. The Alder Lake variant keeps the same ports sans the Thunderbolt functionality. Wireless connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

Lastly, the StarBook 7 comes with a 65 Wh Li-ion battery that supports 65 W fast charging over USB-C. A compatible power brick is included in the packaging. The laptop comes with a one-year warranty and has detailed instructions on how to take it apart, making it one of the more repairable units out there. The company promises five years of firmware updates via Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS).

Currently, the StarBook 7 appears to be sold out on the company's official website. The base variant with an Alder Lake CPU will set you back ~$713, while the Meteor Lake flavour with similar specs costs about $1,449.