Reform: Open Computing Autonomy
The Reform laptop was introduced in 2019 — and it is getting ever more powerful while maintaining its iconic look. This article is all about MNT Reform and how this radically open laptop (and its successors) came to be.
Why Reform?
MNT Reform was designed from the ground up to be as open and transparent as possible, supporting a free and open source software from the start. The Reform laptop has no built-in surveillance technologies, cameras, or microphones, so you can be confident that it will never spy on you. Since the MNT Reform is not based on legacy x86 technology, its architecture is much easier to understand than that of conventional laptops. This simplicity also makes for a more pleasant developer experience. MNT Reform's hardware, firmware, software and documentation is open source and invites collaboration and hacking.
The term reform has several meanings: On the one hand "to restore, to return to its original state"; on the other, "to form, to shape". The idea was to create an open computing device that gives control back to the user. The chunky design is a visual nod to the earlier days of laptops from the 80s and 90s, when computers were conceived as modifiable tools rather than consumption devices that are not really yours. The sturdy build of the MNT Reform (products) also helps with disassembly, repair and upgrades. The principles of Open Hardware were (and are) crucial to the creation of our devices.
MNT Pocket Reform: The Cutest Reform
Analogous to the classic Reform laptop, MNT Research introduced MNT Pocket Reform in 2023 — a mini version of the aforementioned device. Being fully open source hardware and software, MNT Pocket Reform is an extremely compact, fully featured mini laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, and reusable. MNT Pocket Reform can be purchased on Crowd Supply and in our shop.
MNT Reform Next: The Retro-Futuristic Reform
Our latest laptop, MNT Reform Next, takes open source hardware to a new level. It gives our users more freedom than any other laptop available today. Swapping modules, creating a self-designed case, making modifications to the keyboard — by combining high performance and high mobility with modularity, customizability, and repairability, MNT Reform Next has the potential to become more than just a daily driver. MNT Reform Next is currently available for preorder as part of our crowdfunding campaign on Crowd Supply. It will eventually become available in our shop as usual.
The Reform Series Grows
Currently, our Reform series consists of three laptops and one USB-C powered devices which is MNT Reform Keyboard. Of course, the keyboard is also completely open hardware.
The MNT Reform Keyboard has a special feature: It is modular. This means you can use it as a standalone input device (as shown in the picture below) or you can mount it into the classic Reform laptop. We just launched a fresh Reform Keyboard Version (4.0) that features a more traditional stagger instead of the previous more simplistic one. We also added a continuous convex space bar and homing keycaps to help you navigate the keys. Last but not least, we replaced the ATmega32U4 controller with the ARM-based controller RP2040. And we added a programmable, atmospheric RGB backlight. So if you own a Reform laptop with the previous layout, you can replace it with the new one.
More to Come
MNT Research is all about innovation, upgrades and modularity, so we strive to continuously develop new open hardware products. If you want to be kept up to date about our process, you can sign up for our (very irregular) newsletter or follow us on the Fediverse.