StarFighter 16-Inch

Oh, is this actually out now? If so, great, but I took a quick look and didn't spot any third party review yet. For those interested in this laptop, personally I'd still wait for some reviews from some real world people.

Some history on this laptop:

- The StarFighter 16 was originally announced back in November 2022 with an original delivery timeline of 3-4 months: https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxhardware/comments/yjuahx/star_...

- Here's a 500-comment HN thread from Feb 2023 about it (3-4 months later) now with an additional 4-5 month lead time: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34759507

- The latest production updates only go back to July 31 2025 - they mention a 3-5 month timeline from January 2025 (seeing a pattern?): https://starlabs.kb.help/starfighter-production-updates/

There's an "Unboxing" video from Star Labs on the StarFighter from January 22, 2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjYJS5AJZpE

So, 3.5 years later, the chassis is still neat, and good on them for plugging away I guess, but for anyone that actually needs a new computer, there's no shortage of higher-end Linux-centric laptops with a better shipping track record (Framework, Tuxedo Computers, Slimbook, etc).

What an unfortunate time for these niche hardware companies to be launching new hardware. Framework, StarLabs, System76, (I wonder if Tuxedo will release something). The RAM prices must be killing them. Even if they increase prices to accommodate, I know quite a lot of folks who are simply punting any purchasing until things calm down.

This page shows an image of a laptop motherboard with socketed memory https://us.starlabs.systems/cdn/shop/products/B5i7PCB-01x200... but it actually has BGA soldered LPDDR5X.

I wonder why the price difference between the 8845HS and the 285H is more than the cost of some complete 8845HS based systems. Also a shame one can't opt out of the storage or accessories like (yet another) measly 65W USB C+USB A GaN charger.

Other than those things, it actually looks decently exciting. I love the 16:10 + high resolution. Screen brightness isn't amazing, but also better than average. Glad to see 120 hz+ across all of the options. Privacy kill switch is great but the removable magnetic webcam seems a bit overkill/complicated given the kill switch (a simple physical slide would have been plenty as well). The hardware options aren't too bad for an open/Linux focused device. 6 USB ports + HDMI + audio ports is great, given the thickness it would have been cool to throw in a built in ethernet port, SD slot, and DP out to negate most of the need for the dock.

If I hadn't already bought a laptop this year this would probably be high on my list.

Excellence. I like everything, and the open warranty is nice: "Our 1-year limited warranty allows you to take your computer apart, replace parts, install an upgrade, and use any operating system and even your firmware, all without voiding the warranty."

I'd love to see more than 5 years of updates, but there is so much to love here, I can look past that!

I’m unable to order this laptop without a charging brick which is now illegal in the EU.

Same goes for the standard one year warranty. Should be two at minimum.

I had my country configured to Belgium while testing this.

I have been using this for about a month and I love it. The screen looks great, the keyboard is great, the trackpad is great (I have been using Lenovos for ~20 years and though I couldn't live without the trackpoint). The battery life is more than enough for my usage during my daily commute and way better than the mere 1.5 hours I could squeeze out of my old Thinkpad P1.

I genuinely don't think there is anything I would want changed on this laptop.

A framework competitor! Most of all I love the keyboard. Full size arrow keys as well as home, end and page up/down nearby.

I wish framework laptops could come with multiple possible keyboard layouts like the one on the picture.

Why are "premium" laptop vendors still putting vents on the bottom of their machines? Did they never try actually putting their laptop on their laps and realise how much that design sucks?

Is there something new here? The processor options seem to be two generation old Intel, one generation old Intel, and one generation old AMD.

Does it suspend to RAM with echo mem > /sys/power/state and stays there for a couple of weeks on battery?

If not, I will keep my Intel Thinkpad T14 G2, The Last of the Mohicans that can.

The prices are still way too high.

You're better off buying a Dell XPS on sale, I saw one for about 800$ the other day with 32 GB of ram.

Dell has committed to actual Linux support.

I don't feel like paying a Linux nerd tax when most Windows laptops are fine.

Lenovo seems to have the best support here. Otherwise enjoy the adventure in driver land!

I really like the detachable webcam gimmick - I'm sure that, like all gimmicks, it could prove frustrating sometimes, but it's a novel way to have both a decent webcam and thin bezels without notches, nose-facing cameras, etc.

Coreboot is amazing, more machines should have open firmware--especially those intended to run FOSS OSs.

Same-size cursor keys (with the whole line and without any distinction) is such an ill-design decision. Nice to show in the presentation slide deck, but hard to actually use blindly.

This is lovely. I'd love it if this or the Framework Pro also had OLED options, though.

My aging Thinkpad P1 (1st Gen) has a great LCD, but it's also the last non-OLED screen in my life, and I don't think I can buy another laptop without it. In fact it would be a purchase decision driver/upgrade incentive for me. This and longer battery life.

Even though I build lots of C++ code, I still don't think I need more than the Xeon in the P1, horse-power wise.

FWIW I have had a StarLite Mk IV for three years now and haven't run into a single issue with it (except maybe the speakers being quite poor).

Unfortunately the company stopped releasing firmware updates for it soon after they launched Mk V. I don't know if it can be still built from source for the older devices.

> 01. Removable Webcam With its easy-to-disconnect magnetic connector, you can simply unplug the webcam whenever you want to ensure that no one can access it.

What about the microphone though?

The camera issue has been solved years ago by a simple analog hack of physically obscuring its field of view, with some business units having a physical switch built-in.

The same is much more difficult for a microphone, hence the appeals of privacy-conscious folks about it, mostly unanswered.

One of the best investments I’ve ever made was to get an 8TB drive for my laptop. Never having to worry about disk space again is so nice. Consider it if you’re in the market for a new laptop.

Nice but Switzerland and the EU by law require a minimum of a 2 year warranty. You can't sell a device with less.

Jeez what an amazing month for premium Linux laptops.

I clicked on the link half expecting to see a scale model of the (in)famous Lockheed Starfighter (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_F-104).

I like to use laptop in the beach. No glare means I can see it even with the sun light reflecting?

Sad for the processor, it has a "16-core Intel Ultra 9 285H" which is from what I understand intel 15th gen, while the 16th gen, "Panther Lake", seems to be the one giving battery life around as good as the M1 in the new Dell laptops.

I had a Starbook for three years. It was constantly plauged with power issues. As long as I had it plugged in via the barrel connector, everything was fine. But if I tried to charge it over USB-C, it would often fail to boot, lock up, require hard power cycling, and still not come back stable. If I left it completely shut down for a week, the battery would be dead and I couldn't get it back until it had charged (with the barrel connector charger, it would not charge from dead in USB-C) for at least 10 minutes.

Everything else about the computer I loved, but the power issue often meant it was not available when I wanted it. I eventually sold it on eBay (with full disclosure of the issues).

The key on the top right corner of the keyboard being the poweroff button instead of the Delete key gets an instant NACK from me.

For the price I was expecting actual wifi 7 (802.11be standards compliant) and USB3.2 10 Gbps capability on the type A ports.

That keyboard layout is a deal breaker for me. Why do companies have to change things up all the time? Why can't they just go with T-shaped arrow keys and a standard layout?

It completely dwarfs the otherwise great hardware.

Finally someone made a laptop with PgUp/PgDn/Home/End column, like Toshiba! Thank you!

Those are nice looking machines. I don't see any mention of high-end GPUs, though. Do you offer any models that include heavy-duty GPUs for the more usually beefier AI stuff?

I was minutes from ordering my 4th Thinkpad X1 when I found out about them. Although the Starfighter is a bit too big and heavy for me they also have the Horizon model which is exactly what I'm looking for - if only it came in 64GB ram option and a newer CPU (the former - not yet, the latter is coming soon). In any case, they made me decide to hold off and wait. If they do release a 64G Horizon model I'm all over it.

I recently switched from Linux to freebsd on my work computer and things have been mostly working. With linux chroot I can use the few apps missing BSD port.

I did this because I manage a fleet of BSD based server (BSD runs zfs and bhyve with VM on it) and I wanted the same base system for me.

I wonder how BSD friendly those laptop are.

In any case I am so happy to see some open hardware solution.

The configuration with the AMD CPU is using the 8845HS which was released Dec-2023 whereas the configuration with the Intel CPU has the Ultra 9 285H which was released Jan-2025. Why such an old AMD CPU? The Intel has faster LPDDR5 RAM, 8400 MT/s vs 7400 MT/s.

Has the availability of Starlabs hardware gotten better? Back in August 2024 I ordered a Starbook and then cancelled the order 4 months later when the laptop was still not delivered and Framework started selling in my country.

Every new $3000 computer I see just makes me glad I bought a Snapdragon X2 laptop.

3575EUR seems like a steep price for a znver4 processor from 2023 to be honest.

I think it should have a removable/detachable screen that can still be on hinge if need be as many people won't even travel with it, and will put the screen on a stand - or it could have foldable support legs.

The screen and main unit could be purchased independently too. Another idea would be to have a second screen that can hang down from the first one for when it's on a desk stand.

As someone said elsewhere - no USB-A needed with USB docks via a single USB-C.

Another idea would be to have a hall effect keyboard - they are the best.

I've had a very poor experience with the starlabs starlite tablet. Touchscreen and various hardware issues that I received little help with from their customer support.

Looks amazing, it even has Ins key, as if they expect people to actually work on this laptop /s :) . But the price of 4200$ is out of reach for me unfortunately.

I already like it better than Framework with Framework having a better philosophy of reusability and upgradability. Basically I am undecided. Both are too good.

One thing I have discovered about myself [fairly] recently, is that I want, at least, two buttons, preferably three, and a separate track pad. This entire giant surface for multiple mouse buttons and a track pad combined, sucks. Most times, I just use a wireless Logitech mouse with my laptops, but I am not always able to do that. And when I cannot, I am back to hating the monolithic, multi-function pad, button, thing.