MNT Research GmbH
Laptops & PCs
KiCad
Back this project to help bring it into existence.
Funding ends on Feb 07, 2025 at 03:59 PM PST.
Based on the Classic MNT Reform, MNT Reform Next takes open source hardware to a new level. It gives you more freedom than any other laptop available today. Swap modules, print your own case, and customize your keyboard. By combining high performance and high mobility with modularity, customizability, and repairability, MNT Reform Next has the potential to become more than just your daily driver. Since MNT Research is deeply committed to open hardware, all sources are public.
MNT Reform Next is not only suitable for hackers and tinkerers—it is also designed to be used by Linux beginners and Debian enthusiasts. Analogous to our previous Reform devices, we will provide a detailed operator handbook, a pre-built system image, and a quick start manual to get you started. In addition, you can always ask our welcoming and knowledgeable MNT Community for help.
With MNT Reform Next, you are as flexible as you need it to be: It can easily handle browsing, writing, programming, gaming, graphics design, sound creation, and video editing. Reform Next features the highly performant Rockchip RK3588 processor module, a sleek and portable design, plus MNT’s renowned mechanical keyboard. It is designed to be a reliable and versatile computer for everyday tasks.
Whether you study at the library, code your projects on the train, or take notes at work — Reform Next is your reliable on-the-go device.
Review a document, present at a conference, or do system administration. Enjoy the mechanical keyboard for SSH and remote desktop. Wirelessly sync files and photos with your phone and PC using Syncthing or SFTP.
Due to the elegant design and pleasantly smooth haptics, MNT Reform Next gets you in a cozy mood—chat with your friends, watch a video, read a digital comic, emulate your favorite video game system, or browse the web.
Time flies by on trains and buses with MNT Reform Next. Kill time by organizing your files, reviewing spreadsheets, or coding software.
Immerse yourself in music: Connect a USB Type-C audio interface, and Reform Next can be your portable audio composition device with free and open-source music creation software like Ardour.
MNT Reform Next is even more modular than its predecessor: We separated the port boards from the motherboard and engineered a mounting grid—a solid basis that allows for infinite customization and mods. If you like to tinker with gear and make your own tweaks, MNT Reform Next is the laptop for you. Make your modifications on three port boards and share your progress with the MNT Community or on the Fediverse. Everyone is welcome to contribute to the thriving MNT Research open hardware ecosystem.
The Motherboard has many internal flat cable and JST-SH connectors with the following signals:
Another greatly improved aspect of MNT Reform Next is the custom-engineered packs, which can accept multiple battery chemistries. That means you exchange cells individually and use whatever type you prefer. Other features include:
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are custom-designed based on the Ezurio Sterling-LWB5+ module.
By separating the port boards from the motherboard, we are giving users the most freedom to customize and modify. The port covers are made of steel. Below are our default port boards:
MNT Reform Next delivers open computing autonomy: With full root access, you are in control of your device and your personal data. We provide not only the schematics and the KiCAD project files for the motherboard, and keyboard, as well as the source code for these parts. This allows the community to co-develop and improve the platform or independently create clones.
| MNT Hyper Reform Next | Framework Laptop 13 Performance | System76 Lemur Pro | Lenovo ThinkPad X230 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | 2012 |
| CPU | Rockchip RK3588 | Intel Ultra 5 125H | Intel Ultra 5 125U | Intel Core i5-3320M |
| Webcam | Optional | Included | Included | Included |
| Size (closed) | 29 x 20.5 × 2.6 cm | 29.6 x 22.8 x 1.58 cm | 31.2 x 22.3 x 1.7 cm | 30.5 x 20.6 x 2.6 cm |
| Weight | 1600 g | 1300 g | 998 g | 1569 g |
| Memory (RAM) | 32 GB | 16 GB | 24 GB | 4 GB |
| Display Size | 1920 x 1080 | 2256 x 1504 | 1920 x 1200 | 1366 x 768 |
| Storage | 2 TB NVMe, 256 GB eMMC | 512 GB NVMe SSD | 2 TB NVMe SSD | 320 GB HDD |
| Expansion | NVMe SSD, microSD Express (internal), microSD (external) | NVMe SSD | NVMe SSD | ExpressCard, SD Card |
| Modularity | 3x modular port farms, upgradeable SoM | 4x USB Type-C modules | N/A | N/A |
| Cooling | Fanless | Fan | Fan | Fan |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 802.11n |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Keyboard | Mechanical, RGB backlight | Scissor, white backlight | Scissor, white backlight | Scissor, white backlight |
| Open Hardware | Yes | No | No, but uses CoreBoot | No |
| Launch Price (USD) | $1,599 | $1,529 | $1,757 | $1,249 (in 2012) |
Over the last years, through fulfilling our previous campaigns of MNT Reform and MNT Pocket Reform on Crowd Supply, we have gained substantial experience in sourcing, manufacturing, testing, and shipping electronic devices.
We produce our computers and a number of related hardware products full-time in our dedicated workshop in Berlin. When designing MNT Reform Next, we applied our learnings to simplify the assembly process and reduce risks wherever possible. Below is a breakdown of where we source the parts that go into Reform Next:
After our production run is complete, we will box everything up and send it to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, who will handle distribution to backers worldwide. You can learn more about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping in their guide.
MNT Reform Next has hundreds of electronic components. We tried to pick them so that there will be enough stock when we get around to manufacturing the boards, but it’s always possible that there could be a sudden component shortage or increase in price. If that should happen, we would have to re-engineer the affected PCB and exchange the part, causing a delay in production. We are confident that we’ll be able to work around any difficulties as we have in the past.
Should any situation arise that would delay the estimated shipping timeline, backers will be informed promptly via project updates.
"The original open hardware laptop is getting an upgrade."
"While it has a lot of the same features as existing models, including support for the same... processor modules, the MNT Reform Next has an updated design that’s... thinner and lighter than the original... And in some ways it’s even more modular..."
"New design has sleeker profile, uses more RAM and better CPU than the original."
"Gone is the trackball, in favor of a more traditional trackpad — delivering a considerably more modern laptop aesthetic."
Produced by MNT Research GmbH in Berlin, Germany.
Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.
MNT Reform Next Y2K Logo Tee + Holographic Sticker
MNT Reform Next Laptop in Black with 16 GB RAM and 256 GB eMMC. AC Adapter not included.
MNT Super Reform Next Laptop in Purple with 32 GB RAM and 1 TB NVMe SSD. AC Adapter not included.
MNT Super Reform Next Laptop in Black with 32 GB RAM and 1 TB NVMe SSD. AC Adapter not included.
MNT Hyper Reform Next Laptop in Purple with 32 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe SSD, Black Piñatex Sleeve, and Printed Handbook. AC Adapter not included.
MNT Hyper Reform Next Laptop in Black with 32 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe SSD, Black Piñatex Sleeve, and Printed Handbook. AC Adapter not included.
MNT Hyper Reform Next Laptop in Raw Aluminum with 32 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe SSD, Black Piñatex Sleeve, and Printed Handbook. AC Adapter not included.
Includes a camera sensor, adapter PCB, cable, and image acquisition board required to add a webcam to MNT Reform Next.
Anker Prime 67W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) with EU plug.
Anker Prime 67W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) with US plug.
ix Industrial Ethernet to RJ45 receptacle
· mntmn@mastodon.social · mntre.com
We are driven by the idea of a digital future that is open-source, accessible, and modular. Our innovative, interdisciplinary team sets high standards in terms of quality and sustainability. We combine these principles by developing open source hardware, software, and textiles in Berlin, Germany.
