Looking for my first laptop PC with 4G LTE wireless ability, need help.

You can tell the good computer manufacturers by looking at BIOS updates. Do they provide a an update that has a sha256 verification of the file? Acer does not do this so if you download a corrupted update and try to upgrade a possible serious problem could occur.

Also note that when a computer is purchased there is nothing other than firmware software you want from the vendor. If that cannot be validated what else would you want from the vendor?

Edited by cryptodan, 12 January 2024 - 09:04 AM.

Sorry folks but being that the OP never even bothered to come back after their initial post why are you even bothering here, opinions are just that and having one does not entitle any of us to have the last word over another person.

I never heard of Clevo/Sager/XoticPC and yes it makes them a poor service provider if they provide a critical component firmware without allow the user to verify the firmware. Take a look at some well know P.C. makers like Lenovo or Dell.

Clevo are top of the line machines they can run Linux great with no issues out of box and only receive updates to firmware when needed.  You probably couldnt afford the laptops.

I use Arch Linux on my Clevo based laptop that can handle any game I through at it.

https://xoticpc.com/collections/sager-clevo-laptops

https://clevo-computer.com/en/laptops-configurator/

https://www.sagernotebook.com/17-Laptops/

And below is my Arch based gaming and work related laptop that I use for job interviews and conferences with no issues

https://www.termbin.com/dnwk

Edited by cryptodan, 19 January 2024 - 12:48 AM.

It seems you are missing the point of this post, which is a good vendor main task is to support there device. this is done by providin firmware which should have a method of verifying there firmware with a simple SHA hash.

You seem to think cost means its good machine. Rookie!

Acer does not give a hash and when installing firmware does perform rom check but that is after downoaidng.The SHA256 hash verifies the integrity of the file from corruption either through download or disk faults. If a corruption should occur the actual firmware may not beable to check it as you do not know the extensive check being performed.

Example if the data the app is checking changed a value then it may mis-read the file and inform the user a error occurred. Whereas a SHA256 has has only one value for each file so if it matches what the manufacturer provides it is valid.

Enough, guys. Squabbling isn't helping.....the thread matter's been completely 'lost', and the OP is long gone. If he ever returns, and wants the thread re-opened, he can drop us a line. For now, this thread is...

....closed.

Mike. 

Edited by Mike_Walsh, 03 February 2024 - 09:47 AM.