System76

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A community for the System76 company, a manufacturer of laptops, desktops, and server computers that are both affordable and powered by Linux.

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Why does System76 hide part numbers / part lists? (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by No-Trip-3736@alien.top to c/system76@hardware.watch

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Anyone ever notice that System76 hides their parts list?

They publish all this stuff on how to repair their gear, cool.

But with out parts lists, this information might as well not exist

If system76 truly supported user freedom, they would allow customers to attempt to source their own parts. Even if the parts could not be bought on the open market, listing the part #s is still a huge part of user freedom.

Anyone else get a bad vibe from system76's complete lack of part #s?

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[–] Dutch306@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

OP, have you requested a specific part number by phone or by email and been ignored or stonewalled? If so, you've got a bit of a point. If not, then why are you complaining?

I'm very happy that a company will provide a part number and/or source and allow me to purchase the part myself. They do not need to have a complete parts list of every machine published online.

A System76 representative has given you a fair answer which I'll sum up as 'just ask us'. They've also explained why they do not have a published parts list online. The models are ever changing, and they do not have the manpower to continually update an online list.

Respectfully, you are beating a dead horse. Not having complete parts lists published online does not equal 'gatekeeping behind support tickets'. It just doesn't. Not having the parts lists published does not equal "hiding" the lists. They don't have the manpower.

I don't leave my house often because of a medical ailment. That doesn't mean that I'm "hiding" from the world inside of my home. Right now I just don't have the ability to lead a "normal" lifestyle. That's just how it is. As people we (or companies) do the best we can with what we've got.

Would I like the parts lists to be easily accessible online? Absolutely, sure I would. The fact that I have to email or call for a part number does not make me distrust the company though.

Full disclosure: I do not own a System76 computer. I am a bit of a fan boy however. I have been researching/following them for several years. I love their philosophy on repairability and native Linux. My next laptop will be a Lemur Pro, and probably in the next month or two. I love what they're doing, and I will support them.