Someone brought that up re: WiFi in the comments and other cards are
available and can be changed because the computer is made to easily come
apart.
Initially he doesn't intend to make many units and has suggested that orders
be done via github and code, sort of a hackers only thing.
Something interesting/different about this attempt, is that it is NOT
community designed or built. He's doing it all himself. There are pluses and
minuses to that approach. It's amazing to see.
The plans and documentation being all open forms a base for others to run
with perhaps. As he speaks of using people and parts from an area in China
that is full of entrepreneurs and copycats, if the machine sells at all,
maybe someone there will make more of them.
He seems more "open" than "free" as he thinks the Debian teams are tough when
it come to WiFi. Somehow, I think the standards are even higher around here
and with FSF so he probably doesn't share the depth of purity that many or
most folks here appreciate or need.
The concept of a custom machine (some people dreamed of cherry wood keys) is
something I've never thought of. People (hackers) want little access doors
and ways to easily plug things in. A "hackbook" as someone pointed
out...seems a little different from a standard computer or laptop.
All the hardware, while not powerful, is some of the most documented, open
and available hardware there is, and the chip I believe is inexpensive and
used often in automotive, industrial applications and will be around and
supported for years.
