Huawei is releasing a Linux laptop powered by one of its own Kirin processors. Eagle-eyed Linux laptop lovers spotted a Chinese website listing detailing the Linux-powered Huawei laptop—although before you get your hopes up for a shiny new bit of hardware, there are some caveats.

Huawei's Qingyun L410 Linux Laptop Looks Good

As above, before you get your hopes up regarding a Huawei developed and manufactured Linux laptop, the Huawei Qingyun L410 is only available to the Chinese market.

Whether that situation will change in the future is anyone's guess, but collaboration and sales from US companies to Huawei remained banned since former-President Trump's May 2019 order.

As first reported by IT Home, the Qingyun L410 is likely only for government and enterprise customers, and it comes with a fairly substantial price tag of around $1,400 (around 9,000 yuan).

Regarding specs, the Qingyun L410 launches with one of Huawei's Kirin 990 processors, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and a tidy 14-inch screen. One of the coolest features is the integrated push camera, which remains flush to the screen bevel until you want to use it, protecting your privacy while not in use.

The IT Home report indicates that the Qingyun L410 is launching with Unity OS, a Linux distro initially developed as part of a Chinese government initiative aiming to reduce Chinese tech companies' reliance on US-based software developers and platforms such as Windows.

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Furthermore, users can upgrade the L410 to Harmony OS, Huawei's Android-derivative operating system (which they don't want you to call an Android-derivative operating system despite its similarities).

Related: What Is the Best Linux Distro for Laptops?

More Linux Laptops Launching All the Time

The Huawei Qingyun is unlikely to make its way to consumer markets any time soon, which is a shame. Although Huawei has its ongoing difficulties with the US market, its hardware designs remain eye-catching and exciting.

That said, there are Linux laptop alternatives, with many manufacturers now opting to launch or considering launching Linux laptops. For example, the Dell XPS 13 7390 is available with Ubuntu out of the box, while Purism's privacy-focused Librem laptops are also an attractive option.

Related: Lightweight Linux Distributions to Give Your Old PC New Life

Of course, that's not forgetting how easy it now is to switch your laptop to Linux. There are numerous Linux distros built with laptop users in mind. Furthermore, installing a Linux distro is a great way to breathe life back into an old laptop, with many developed with aging or low spec hardware in mind.

System76 Launches Its New AMD-Powered Linux Laptop Read NextShareTweetShareEmail Related TopicsAbout The AuthorGavin Phillips(1047 Articles Published)

Gavin is the Junior Editor for Technology Explained, a regular contributor to the Really Useful Podcast, and a frequent product reviewer. He has a degree in Contemporary Writing pillaged from the hills of Devon, and more than a decade of professional writing experience. He enjoys copious amounts of tea, board games, and football.

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