And later in comments to itCompuLab remains a Linux-focused PC vendor and in fact Linux Mint's upcoming MintBox 3 computer is based on the Airtop 3. The MintBox 3 will soon be launching with different options for a high-end, passively cooled Linux Mint desktop -- they are also working on an option with open-source Radeon graphics.
Is this option still being considered and, if so, is there any approximate timeframe for it?They are expected to include an AMD GPU option for the Mintbox 3 at least. They asked me if they should and I certainly endorsed it, a Polaris card they were looking at.
The reason I'm asking is that I'm planning to get a PC for always-on operation and daily use, including light/medium gaming, but I'd really prefer to avoid Nvidia's closed-source drivers in my kernelspace. Nouveau (open-source driver) would be fine, but it cannot operate with the same performance due to Nvidia not providing signed firmware that would support reclocking the GPU to its normal speeds. The Intel integrated GPU, on the other hand, is a bit too slow and, even if fast enough, it's using the same cooling zone as the CPU itself, which is probably not a good idea compared to a discrete GPU in its separate cooling zone.