I finally decided to place a preorder for the Reform Next, and my debit card isn’t accepting the payment (seriously, I’ve had more failed than successful transactions with this thing overall, it sucks). I’ll probably try again in a few days, but assuming it will fail again, I’d like to order the system from the MNT Shop (which accepts SEPA payments, which I am much more confident I’ll get to work). I live in Germany anyway, so that would save a round trip through Texas too.
But while I don’t mind waiting, it would be highly interesting to know when I can expect the laptop to appear on the shop … the CrowdSupply campaign has an estimated shipment date at the start of September … is it reasonable to assume that the laptop will be on the shop around that time too?
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Crowdfunding orders take priority, so even if Next is available for preorder on the MNT Shop later this year, it’ll likely take a while for the team to get to those orders. Typically computers are assembled in small batches and there can be unforeseen delays. I highly suggest, if you can, back the campaign.
Waiting till after the crowdfunding phase is a good place to be. The production snaggings will be ironed out during the crowd supply run, and there is likely to be a new processor - and other options - to choose from rather then that locked into the pre-order (good though it is).
Please do not make assumptions–hardware is hard. There likely won’t be another processor like RK3588 for a while if you need 16 GB RAM minimum.
Additionally it wasn’t until after most crowdfunded Pocket Reform models were fulfilled that MNT hit a big snag with its display supplier and had to spend a lot of time making sure a new panel was compatible.
Speaking of supply chain problems, I was recently told that a few weeks ago Rockchip started considering themselves in the business of regulating what applications the RK3588 is used in (after an Orange Pi with the chip was used in a military drone) and so stopped shipping the 3588 to SBC manufacturers, which I assume includes T-Firefly, the manufacturer of our SoM. I wonder how long that will be available …
Huh, in the Pine64 community I was told that TL Lim (the head of the company making those SBCs) was told they wouldn’t get RK3588s either, for the reasons stated in that article. I’ll discuss it there some more.
Might I detect a note of defensiveness in this response? I do not consider it a sacred duty to do “crowdfunder”, but would not presume to tell those who do choose to do so they are wrong. I see advantages to both ways: those who do pre-order will lock in a price that may be less than those who wait. Those who wait enjoy more flexibility as to when (if!) they order, specification, etc.
I am not sure that this anecdote supports what you said before: my own intuition is that those with the later panel are in the better position.
Good luck keeping SBCs from being smuggled, but I suppose that is why we are not to be allowed to have nice things. In any case, I suspect Rockchip will soon come to realise that ditching your customers will not save you from trade sanctions the US have decided to impose anyway, as Huwai will tell you.
Might I detect a note of defensiveness in this response?
There is no defensiveness, only knowledge gleaned from 4 years of helping the MNT team, and now in my day job working with dozens of other small open hardware creators.
Unexpected delays happen all the time, and my only point is that if someone has the means to back the campaign, it’s highly advantageous. There are no better processor options or improvements right around the corner, which is what was suggested. The only other thing people might want is a choice of keyswitches—otherwise it’s going to be the same computer.
Do MNT Reform Next really go from Berlin, DE, to Texas, US, just to arrive at my place in … Berlin, DE? That would be crazy, indeed. And not good for climate and environment, btw. Can somebody confirm or correct, please? Thanks!
Crowd Supply is owned by Mouser, so everything is shipped to their warehouse in Mansfield, Texas for global fulfillment, like with any component they stock.
I understand that it might be frustrating for buyers in Europe (direct shipping from Berlin would save some time/carbon) but part of the service CS provides to small creators is logistical support (i.e. shipping and regulatory compliance). Mouser helps enormously with both of those critical things.
As I will order sth. from Crowd Supply soon, I’ll think about combining the payment with ordering a Reform Next. Two birds with one stone. Still, MNT is probably less than half an hour by bike, no need for any shipping
This is a shame because it is unnecessary distance (both physical and metaphorical) between the artisans who make the product and yourself as a customer. A couple of decades ago I got a custom made bicycle frame. The builder was nearby so I went to his workshop to get measured and in retrospect it was an honour to be allowed to be invited into the place where the magic happens, as part of the relationship between craftsman and client.
This experience makes me feel you should not be afraid to ask to visit MNT headquarters to discuss requirements in person since this is practical. An opportunity to look at a product is, after all, something a customer of any big box retailer enjoys for their disposable commodity hardware, so perhaps as somebody looking at a bespoke hardware the firm would cater for this? I feel that the firm itself would benefit from issuing nearby customers early Next models, maybe even pre-production model for testing, knowing that you are able to return both for any necessary hardware tweaks and - more importantly - in person debriefing.
