StarLite 5 Debuts as 12.5 inches Linux Laptop With 4-Core CPU, 16GB RAM, 2TB SSD
UK technology startup Star Labs has unveiled their latest lightweight Linux laptop, the StarLite 5. Donning an ultra-portable convertible design, the StarLite 5 stands out with its versatile feature set, premium open-source firmware, and extensive modification options for tech enthusiasts.
At the heart of the StarLite 5 lies Intel's new energy-efficient Alder Lake N200 quad-core chip, which can reach turbo clock speeds up to 3.7GHz. Paired with this are 16GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM running at 4800MHz and up to a spacious 2TB PCIe Gen 3 SSD. The M.2 drive delivers quoted sequential read/write speeds of 3370/3030MB/s.
Together, these high-performance components allow for smooth multitasking and quick boot ups even with multiple programs and browser tabs open.
The 12.5-inch IPS touch display impresses with its 2K resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio, resulting in a sharp pixel density of 276 ppi. Star Labs says the panel covers 100% of sRGB and 71% of NTSC color gamuts, with a peak brightness of 300 nits.
The patented anodized aluminum lid can bend back nearly 360 degrees to transform the device into a tablet, handy for artists and designers.
Connectivity is handled via Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, a micro HDMI port, dual USB 3.2 Type-C ports with DisplayPort alt mode and Power Delivery 3.0 charging, a microSD slot, and a universal headphone jack. The StarLite 5 also incorporates a couple of cameras – there is a 2K webcam above the screen and another high-res rear shooter.
Despite its diminutive footprint, the StarLite 5 offers solid battery life thanks to the 38Wh cell. Star Labs says users can expect up to 12 hours of mixed usage on a full charge. The laptop ships with a tiny yet powerful 65W GaN USB-C power adapter.
However, the most unique aspect of this device is Star Labs’ dedication to open-source firmware. TheStarLite 5 comes preloaded with Coreboot BIOS for quicker boot ups. Owners can also customize low-level settings via the Advanced Configuration interface. Conveniently, future firmware and driver upgrades will be issued directly through LVFS.
As a Linux-focused OEM, Star Labs preinstalls users’ choice of Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or other distros out of the box. The company provides a 1-year limited warranty that allows full customization and tinkering without voiding coverage.
With prices starting from $655.00, the feature-rich and flexible StarLite 5 targets developers, sysadmins, and open-source enthusiasts.
The product link: https://earth.starlabs.systems/pages/starlite
The Amazon Store: StarLabsSystems Store
StarLite 5 Specification
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Alder Lake N200 quad-core, 1.0GHz base clock, up to 3.7GHz turbo, 6MB cache, 6W TDP |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5 4800MHz |
| Storage | Up to 2TB PCIe SSD, sequential read/write speed: 3370/3030 MB/s |
| Display | 12.5″ 2K (2880 x 1920) IPS LED backlit touchscreen, 300 nits, 178° wide viewing angles |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel UHD graphics, 750Mhz clock |
| Battery | 38Wh Li-ion polymer, supports up to 12 hrs runtime |
| Charger | 65W USB-C GaN |
| Wireless Connectivity | WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | Micro HDMI, dual USB-C (DisplayPort alt mode), MicroSD card reader, headphone jack |
| Camera | 2MP front & rear cam |
| Other features | Backlit keyboard, stereo speakers, TPM |
| Preloaded OS | Linux Ubuntu/Mint/other |
| Weight | 0.9 kg (1.98 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 289 x 203 x 8.9 mm |
| Starting Price | $655.00 |
StarLite 5 Comparison
| Tablet | Tablet Prices | Check Price | Size | Resolution | OS | Weight (gram) | Processor | Cameras (Selfie+Main) | Battery Life (Hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| StarLite 5 | $655 | Out Of Stock | 12.5 | 2880x1920 | Linux/Windows | 900 | 1.0 GHz - 3.7 GHz Intel Alder Lake N200 | 2MP + 2MP | 12 |
| Alldocube | $669 |  | 12.6 | 2160×1440 | Windows 11 | 915 | 2.80 GHz - 4.3 GHz AMD Ryzen™ 5 7520U | 2MP + 5MP | 5 |
| Asus ROG Flow Z13 (2023) | $1799 | | 13.4 | 2560x1600 | Windows 11 | 1180 | 5.4 GHz Core i9-13900H | 5MP + 8MP | 9 |
| Asus ROG Flow Z13 | $1799 | | 13.4 | 3840x2400 | Windows 11 | 1120 | 5.0 GHz Core i9-12900H | 1.3MP + 8MP | 9 |
| Asus Vivobook 13 Slate OLED | $749 | | 13.3 | 1920x1080 | Windows 11 | 800 | 3.8 GHz i3-N300 | 5MP + 13MP | 10 |
| Dell XPS 13 | $1099 | | 13 | 2880x1920 | Windows 11 Pro | 736 | 4.7 GHz i7-1250U | 2MP + 11MP | 10 |
| Huawei MateBook E | $1419 | | 12.6 | 2560x1600 | Windows 11 | 699 | 4.7 GHz Core i7-1260U | 8MP + 13MP | 10 |
| Lenovo Yoga Duet | $970 | | 13 | 2160x1350 | Windows 10 Pro | 799 | 4.2 GHz i5-1135G7 | 5MP + 5MP | 10 |
| Microsoft Surface Book 3 13.5 | $799 | | 13.5 | 3000x2000 | Windows 10 | 719 | 3.9 GHz i7-1065G7 | 5MP + 8MP | 15.5 |
| Microsoft Surface Book 3 15 | $1159 | | 15 | 3240x2160 | Windows 10 | 817 | 3.9 GHz i7-1065G7 | 5MP + 8MP | 17.5 |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 9 | $979 | | 13 | 2880x1920 | Windows 11 | 879 | 4.7 GHz i7-1255U | 5MP + 10MP | 13 |
Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
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