X
Tech
Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.

Close

Purism's new 11-inch Linux tablet runs a full desktop version of PureOS

The Librem 11 slate's modest specs are more than enough to tackle your everyday tasks quite well.
Written by Jack Wallen, Contributing Writer
librem11
Purism

Purism has become quite a force in creating Linux phones, laptops, desktops, servers, and now tablets. With the release of the Librem 11, consumers can now purchase a tablet with a full-blown desktop OS (PureOS) that delivers enough power to have you multitasking like a champ on a highly portable device.

Also: The best Linux laptops right now

The Librem 11 includes the following specs:

  • CPU - Intel N5100 quad core up to 2.8GHz
  • Display - 11.5-inch AMOLED with a resolution of 2560 X 1600 @ 60Hz
  • RAM - 8GB LPDDR4
  • Internal Storage - 1TB NVMe
  • OS - PureOS
  • Supports (and includes) an active pen with 4096 pressure levels and tilt support
  • Cameras - 2MP fixed focus (1280 X 720 front camera and 5MP (2592 X 1944) auto/manual focus rear camera
  • Detachable keyboard doubles as a protective sleeve
  • Ports - 2 USB Type-C (3.1) and 3.5mm mic/headphone combo jack
  • Bluetooth - Intel 9460 Bluetooth 5 chipset.
  • Wireless - Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax).
  • Multitouch digitizer - Goodix GXTP7380
  • Dimensions - 10.4 x 6.8 x 0.25 inches
  • Weight - 1.25 lbs
  • Fingerprint reader included (but doesn't yet support fprint)

Clearly, the Librem 11 isn't going to blow your mind with its specs but it will certainly power PureOS without batting an eye. It might not be capable of crunching big data but it'll be able to take on your everyday tasks quite well.

Unlike some other tablets, the included keyboard does not use Bluetooth to connect, which means the keyboard doesn't require a separate battery. Instead, the keyboard connects via a secure hard-wired USB connection.

Also: Two tricks that make using the Linux command line a lot easier

The Librem 11 also includes Purism's PureBoot, which is a secure boot process that combines a number of different technologies --  such as a neutralized and disabled Intel Management Engine -- and uses a Trusted Platform Module chip. PureBoot also includes Heads, which is Purism's tamper-evident boot software, and Librem Key (which alerts the user if any tampering has been detected).

The cost of the Librem 11 is $999 before shipping. You cannot upgrade the device during purchase time or afterward (for example the RAM is soldiered on).

You can purchase the Librem 11 now from the official Purism site.

Editorial standards