You're getting 10 ports on this new Linux laptop from System76
One of them is a sort of surprising OCuLink port, in case you have an external GPU lying around.
System76 has debuted another Linux-first laptop, this one called the Pangolin Pro. The 16-inch configurable travel companion features an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 mobile processor and a grand total of ten ports.
Introducing the Pangolin Pro
The Pangolin Pro is a new addition to the ultraportable lineup for System76, a US-based retailer selling Linux devices with its signature Pop!_OS Linux distribution pre-installed. Since it's an ultraportable, the laptop is meant to be lightweight in both power and actual weight (at 3.64 lbs) while still serving the modern PC owner's needs.
- Display: 16″ 2560×1600, LTPS, 100% sRGB, 165Hz, Matte Finish
- Memory: 16–96GB DDR5 5600MHz
- Storage: 500GB–16TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
- Webcam: 2.0MP 1080p w/ security shutter
- Battery: 80Wh Li-Ion (which System76 claims will last you 10 hours)
- Price: $1,599 (or $1,499 with the release day discount)
Notably, you're getting 10 ports on the Pangolin Pro. They include:
- 1 × USB 4.0 Type-C w/ DisplayPort 1.4
- 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DisplayPort 1.4
- 3 × USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 1 × HDMI 2.1
- 1 × OCuLink
- 1 × 2.5-gig Ethernet
- 1 × Micro SD Card Reader
- 1 × 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack
The background: The original System76 Pangolin had a more powerful AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor, making this somewhat of a downgrade in pure clockspeed. The bells and whistles, though, including expansion capabilities, are a bit better.
Zooming out
Why this announcement matters: Relatively affordable Linux laptops like this one gives people who don't want a Microsoft Copilot-centered desktop experience more options without the need to learn how to manually overwrite an operating system.
The intrigue: The OCuLink standard has stayed pretty niche compared to Thunderbolt. System76's contemporary in the Linux laptop world, Framework, interestingly debuted an OCuLink dev kit for those who want to add eGPU support to their devices.
My take: I'm not jumping out of my seat to replace my current Linux ultraportable, the Kubuntu Focus Ir 14 Gen 2. Still, the display resolution and port selection impresses me.
Diving in
You can start configuring the Pangolin Pro at the System76 store. If you order today, April 23, there's a $100 discount that'll disappear soon.
