Which minipc for a good Guix experience?

Guix
1

Hi,

I want to learn Guix and Scheme, but first I want to buy a minipc dedicated to this use.

Which minipc is good for a good Guix experience ? AMD or Intel ? Which GPU ?

Thanks a lot.

JL

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2

I got a second hand ThinkPad x280 but it’s not perfects as I need nonguix for the firmware of the WLAN and Bluetooth module.
I still like it as it’s very mobile and I can learn some Guix during my lunch breaks in any little corner or when ever I find a bit of time.

3

Thanks for your reply.

Perhaps frame.work is a good option for me.

Another link : https://frame.work/

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4

Framework devices look awesome, I wish they shipped to Greece.

5

Framework is good.

Even more focused on open hardware is MNT Reform.
https://mntre.com/

Also makes you look like the hackiest hacker of them all :stuck_out_tongue:
image

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6

I am constantly trying to decide whether I want to buy a Pocket Reform :slight_smile:

7

Do you prefer the Pocket Reform over the regular one?

8

The full sized Reform is really bulky and I already have a normal sized laptop (I’d buy a Framework for that purpose anyway). However, a 7" mini computer has some interesting use cases for writing and hacking on the go!

9

I pre-ordered a pocket reform a few months ago, even though it will require some work to get Guix System up and running on it (I already partially prepared a custom kernel package with patches/configs from linux · main · Reform / reform-debian-packages · GitLab, though I’ll only be able to answer if it works as soon as I got my hands on the actual hardware); form-factor wise it solves my issue of not wanting to carry a bigger laptop all time and not wanting to type on my smartphone instead quite well & I’m looking forward to using it.

As for the original question:

I want to learn Guix and Scheme, but first I want to buy a minipc dedicated to this use.

If nonguix for firmware is an option, I highly recommend getting a more recent Optiplex Micro or ThinkCentre Tiny for that cause. They’re small, cheap and fun to use as a computer (I use an optiplex micro myself right now while typing this).

10

Awesome! Looking forward to hearing your impressions when you get it. Any indication of how long it is until you receive yours?

11

The fancy small form factor Ethernet port, on the Pocket Reform, piqued my interest.

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12

Any indication of how long it is until you receive yours?

Yes, they should start fulfilling orders soon-ish, as in end of march/beginning of april, according to MNT Pocket Reform - Getting Pocket Reform Ready to Ship and have been pretty transparent about delays. I’ll definitely let you folks know what my first impressions are as soon as it arrives (and what I did to bring up guix system on it as well as share my custom packages as well as a basic image declaration for the pocket reform).

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