Thinking about buying a Linux-based laptop? Check out the System76 Darter Pro.

If you are looking for a Linux-based laptop as powerful as a MacBook Pro and as light as a Chromebook, we suggest you give the System 76 laptop Darter Pro a chance. The Darter Pro is a sleek and slim yet powerful computer made for heavy workloads. So let’s explore all of the features this System 76 laptop offers below.

System76 Darter Pro Laptop: Design & Display

The Darter Pro comes in a black, half-magnesium alloy half-plastic finish. The bottom case flex is relatively minimal for this type of design, and the top lid also doesn’t flex that much. The model measures 14.06 x 8.68 x 0.78 inches and weighs about 3.84 pounds. 

The System76 Darter Pro is a 15.6-inch laptop. It comes with a matte IPS FHD display panel, which is not configurable during checkout. And thanks to the matte finish, the screen looks sharp and works great in direct sunlight. Furthermore, because the images on a Darter Pro are so vivid, you would think it is a 4K display and might even want to lower your resolution settings a bit.

Overall, the System76 Darter Pro is a sleek-looking and durable laptop. Clearly, it is designed to fit any professional setting with ease. 

System76 Darter Pro: Configurations & Performance

This System 76 laptop offers several configurations:

• Operating System: Pop!_OS 21.10 (64-bit), Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS (64-bit), or Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (64-bit).
• Firmware: System76 Open Firmware (coreboot, EDK2, System76 Firmware Apps), System76 Open Source Embedded Controller Firmware.
• Processor: Quad-Core Intel Core i5-1135G7, 2.40 GHz base speed, 4.20 GHz max turbo frequency. And the Intel Core i7-1165G7: Quad-Core as well, 12M Cache, up to 4.70 GHz overclocked.
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Memory: Up to 64GB dual-channel DD4 @3200MHz
• Storage: S2 x M.2 SSD (1x PCIe gen4 + 1x PCIe gen3 or SATA). The model supports up to 4TB total.

When ordering this System76 laptop online, you can add 64GB of RAM and store up to 4TB of storage, thanks to two M.2 slots. And if you are looking to save money, opt for a lower-level CPU with an 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8265U processor and 8GB of RAM. For example, you can find a preowned 8th generation-based model for just under $500 on eBay, yet, the newer Datrer Pro laptop can quickly run up to $3000+.

One of the cool System76 Darter Pro features worth mentioning is Windows Hello sensors. And you can use the Howdy program, designed for Windows Hello in Linux. 

We also like the System76 laptop productivity features. For example, Auto-Tiling, Workspaces, and Keyboard Navigation work with the native apps for a cohesive streamlined experience in Pop!_OS operative system.

The Darter Pro System76 Laptop: Ports & Connectivity 

The System76 Darter Pro laptop has plenty of I/O ports. You have your charging port, an HDMI, a USB 3.2 Type-A, a USB 3.2 Type-C, and a Thunderbolt port on the left side. While on the right side, there is a headphone-mic combo jack, a micro SD card reader, one USB 2.0 port, the power button, Kensington lock, and an ethernet port. 

The Darter Pro System76 Laptop: Keyboard & Battery

The keyboard layout looks pretty standard for a laptop. There is a full-size arrow key cluster, and keys spring back well without typing too loud. The trackpad is located slightly more to the left than centered, and it has a simple rectangle shape with no trackpad buttons. So, pressing it will mimic the left-click, and lightly pressing with two fingers initiates the right-click. You can also scroll text pages by dragging the two fingers up or down. 

The battery life on this System76 laptop is also pretty solid. You can get up to nine hours of usage on a single charge, which is quite competitive, considering the hardware. 

Moreover, the System76 Open EC Firmware grants users unrestricted access and total control over keyboard, fan, and battery components. In addition, you can easily customize the keyboard layout in Linux via the System76 Keyboard Configurator application.

Used System76 Laptop Resale Value

System76 computers are not as popular as their Windows-based and macOS counterparts. Nonetheless, the brand has a solid fanbase, and we have to say, System76 laptops retain their resale value over time. For example, one of the older System76 models, the Galago Pro Intel Core i5 based, can be resold for up to $158 right now.*

A more current example, the System 76 Lemur Pro Intel Core i5 11th generation, yields a max of $309 cash offer.*

Used models with dedicated graphics have an even better salvage value. For instance, an even older System76 Oryx Pro laptop model with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GPU goes for up to $247 used.*

In Conclusion 

The System76 Darter Pro is an excellent choice for those needing a lightweight laptop, powerful enough to handle day-to-day work tasks while offering flexibility and customization of Linux. Besides, the System76 devices hold a solid resale value for when you decide it is time to upgrade. Besides, their gaming line is perfectly capable of competing with Origin PC and Alienware laptops.

*Priced on 02/05/2022. Subject to change.