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NovaCustom NV41 Series
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The `NovaCustom NV41 Series `__ is :doc:`officially certified ` for Qubes OS Release 4.
|Photo of the NovaCustom NV41 Series|
Qubes-certified configurations
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The following configuration options are certified for Qubes OS Release 4:
Processor:
- Intel Core i5-1240P processor
- Intel Core i7-1260P processor
Memory:
- 2 x 16 GB Kingston DDR4 SODIMM 3200 MHz (32 GB total)
- 1 x 32 GB Kingston DDR4 SODIMM 3200 MHz (32 GB total)
- 2 x 32 GB Kingston DDR4 SODIMM 3200 MHz (64 GB total)
M.2 storage chip:
- Samsung 980 SSD (all capacities)
- Samsung 980 Pro SSD (all capacities)
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:
- Intel AX-200/201 Wi-Fi module 2976 Mbps, 802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.2
- Killer (Intel) Wireless-AX 1675x M.2 Wi-Fi module 802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3
- Blob-free: Qualcomm Atheros QCNFA222 Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.0
- No Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chip
Notes on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- When viewed in a Linux environment with ``lspci``, the “Killer (Intel) Wireless-AX 1675x M.2 Wi-Fi module 802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3” device displays the model number “AX210.” However, according to its `Intel Ark entry `__ (in the “Product Brief” file), they are actually the same Wi-Fi module.
- Similarly, when viewed in a Linux environment with ``lspci``, the “Blob-free: Qualcomm Atheros QCNFA222 Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.0” device displays the model number “AR9462,” which seems to be just the Wi-Fi chip model number, whereas “QCNFA222” seems to be the model number of the whole device (which include Bluetooth). Meanwhile, the Bluetooth device presents itself as “IMC Networks Device 3487.”
- The term “blob-free” is used in different ways. In practice, being “blob-free” generally does *not* mean that the device does not use any closed-source firmware “blobs.” Rather, it means that the device comes with firmware *preinstalled* so that it does not have to be loaded from the operating system. In theory, the preinstalled firmware could be open-source, but as far as we know, that is not the case with this particular Atheros Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module. (Qualcomm has published firmware source code in the past, but only for other device models, as far as we are aware.) Meanwhile, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) `considers `__ unmodifiable preinstalled firmware to be part of the hardware, hence they regard such hardware as “blob-free” from a software perspective. While common usage of the term “blob-free” often follows the FSF’s interpretation, it is worthwhile for Qubes users who are concerned about closed-source firmware to understand the nuance.
.. |Photo of the NovaCustom NV41 Series| image:: /attachment/site/novacustom-nv41-series.png
:target: https://novacustom.com/product/nv41-series/