Background
The MNT Pocket Reform is a mini Linux-based laptop from MNT, a hardware company based in Berlin, Germany. Featuring fully open-source hardware and firmware (and supported as such, with wiring diagrams, schematics, and full documentation for most subcomponents), this little laptop with a 7" screen is the original Reform's smaller brother. Its CPU is socketed and upgradeable, its batteries and display are standardized parts, and its keyboard is mechanical—all inside a milled aluminum enclosure, with access from both sides of both halves. The motherboard and CPU are located behind the display in the upper half.
The MNT Pocket Reform was crowdfunded through Crowd Supply starting in March 2023. Shipments began in June 2024. The MNT Pocket Reform is available in a variety of configurations from €850–1400.
Identification
The MNT Pocket Reform can be identified by its one-of-a-kind, chunky industrial design. The MNT logo is on the top cover, and the model number PREF-V10-R01 is printed on the bottom cover.
Technical Specifications
Display
- 7-inch Full HD+ (1920 x 1200, 323 ppi) MIPI-DSI display
- Compatible displays: JDI LT070ME05000, Wisecoco TOP070F01A (with adapter)
SoC options (read more)
- i.MX8MQ CPU with 4× 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, Vivante GC7000L GPU, 4 GB LPDDR4
- i.MX8MPLUS CPU with 4× 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, Vivante GC7000UL GPU, 8 GB LPDDR4
- RCM4 A311D CPU with 4× 2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 cores + 2× 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, ARM Mali G52 MP4 GPU, 4 GB LPDDR4 (in development for Pocket Reform compatibility)
- RCM4 RPI CPU with 4× 1.5 GHz Cortex-A72 cores, VideoCore 4 GPU, 8 GB LPDDR4 (in development for Pocket Reform compatibility)
- RK3588 CPU with 4× 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores + 4× 2.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, ARM Mali-G610 MP4 GPU, 16 or 32 GB LPDDR4 (in development for Pocket Reform compatibility)
Storage
- Internal M.2 M-key socket for NVMe SSDs
- MicroSD card slot
- For RK3588 CPUs: 128 GB or 256 GB eMMC
- For RCM4 A311D CPUs: 16 GB eMMC
Wireless
- Included AsiaRF M.2 B-key 802.11ac Wi-Fi card, MT7612U chipset, 2× Ezurio FlexPIFA antennas
- Integrated Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 on i.MX8MPLUS and RCM4 SoCs
- Wi-Fi via mPCIe card for i.MX8MQ and RK3588 SoCs
- ix Industrial Ethernet port
- Internal Micro SIM card slot
- Optional: cellular via M.2 B-key WWAN for 4G/5G/LTE modem or USB Wi-Fi cards
Battery
- 2× Li-ion cells (8000 mAh total)
- Approx. 4 hours runtime
- USB-C PD charging
- Compatible cells: EREMIT 606090 3.7 V 4000 mAh LiPo
System Controller
- Raspberry Pi RP2040
Keyboard & trackball
- Mechanical USB keyboard with Kailh Choc Red or White switches, custom keycaps
- Optical USB trackball with 4× mechanical switches
Audio
- TI DAC
- CUI CES-361811-18PM-67 mono speaker
Enclosure
- Modular, CNC-milled, bead-blasted, anodized 6061 aluminum in black or purple
Dimensions & weight
- 20 x 12.6 x 4.5 cm (7.87 x 4.96 x 1.77 in)
- Approx. 1.1 kg (2.43 lbs), depending on configuration
Ports
- 1x USB-C PD port, USB 3.0 speeds
- 1x USB-C port, USB 3.0 speeds
- 1x ix Industrial Ethernet port
- 1x Mini HDMI port
- 1x Micro SD card slot
- 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo jack
OS
- Debian GNU/Linux preloaded