How to tell what hardware versions you have

MNT Reform
2

I am a software developer but I know basically nothing about hardware and firmware, which is part of why I got the MNT to learn more.

We’re in the same boat! I’m also a hardware-curious software person. I got my Reform in June 2022, and I’ve had a blast exploring the hardware much deeper than anything I’ve ever owned before by reading the provided schematics. It’s so nice to actually understand the hardware you own!

As for your question, there’s a few pointers that I know of. All of my hardware is original Reform 2 hardware, and I know this because:

  • The reflashing USB connector j8 on my motherboard is microUSB. On the newer v2.5 motherboards, this is a USB-C port.
  • My trackball and trackpad modules (I own both, so I can swap them around when I feel like it) are both first-gen modules, as they both have Atmel microcontrollers. Newer revisions all use Raspberry RP2040 controllers. You can identify that by looking at the biggest chip, you should see the Raspberry logo on there.

I don’t know how much existing stock MNT Research or Crowd Supply keep, but I would guess that since you purchased very recently, you will be getting the latest revisions of the hardware. (That is, v2.5 mobo, RP2040 accessories)

Another nice hardware upgrade in the newer models is the steel port covers. I got mine after the fact. (Actually purchased and received them before my Reform shipped in June, so I never even used the acrylic ones!)

Still, even if you get the v2.0 motherboard, the differences aren’t huge, you can read the list of differences and my plans for DIY upgrades to existing v2.0 boards here in a post I wrote earlier.

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