Techlore Talks From Coreboot to Qubes: Secure Hardware Deep Dive with NovaCustom
Oct 10, 2025
Wessel Klein Snakenborg, founder of NovaCustom, discusses crafting privacy-focused laptops with features like Coreboot firmware and Intel ME disabling. He emphasizes extensive hardware customization and open-source Linux options. The conversation dives into supply chain security practices, Qubes OS compatibility, and a commitment to repairability with a seven-year parts guarantee. Wessel also touches on future AMD support and shares insights on the challenges of competing with Big Tech, all while empowering users to reclaim control over their digital privacy.
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Custom Hardware Meets Privacy
- NovaCustom combines powerful hardware with deep customization to serve privacy-focused users and companies.
- Wessel positions the company around repairability, user control, and configurable components like CPU, RAM, and storage.
Use Coreboot For Auditability
- Replace proprietary firmware with Coreboot to enable full Linux compatibility and customization options.
- Use open-source firmware to gain reproducible builds and to audit boot integrity yourself.
Make Intel ME Optional
- Offer Intel ME disabling as an optional BIOS choice to reduce attack surface for privacy-minded users.
- Expect trade-offs like loss of modern standby and require enabling legacy S3 suspend if needed.