The StarLabs StarFighter Mk II Ultra is a repairable, Linux-first laptop with a 4K display

The StarLabs StarFighter Mk II Ultra is a 16-inch, Linux-first laptop featuring a 4K 120Hz IPS display and a magnesium chassis. Designed with a focus on repairability, the device allows for user-accessible internal components, including two PCIe Gen 4 M.2 2280 SSD slots that support up to 8TB of total storage. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor with 64GB of soldered LPDDR5X RAM. Connectivity includes multiple USB-C and USB-A ports, a 3.5mm combo jack, and a microSD slot. A unique feature is the removable 1080p webcam, which attaches via pogo pins on the lid. In testing, the 80Wh battery provided nearly six hours of runtime, though charging speeds were limited, peaking at 54W and taking over three hours to reach full capacity. While the laptop is not designed for high-end gaming—achieving only 14 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077—it performs well for local AI model workloads, leveraging its unified memory architecture to run large language models efficiently. The device is priced at $3,140 in this configuration.

Tech4K Staff12:19 watch

The StarLabs StarFighter Mk II Ultra is a 16-inch, Linux-first laptop featuring a 4K 120Hz IPS display and a magnesium chassis. Designed with a focus on repairability, the device allows for user-accessible internal components, including two PCIe Gen 4 M.2 2280 SSD slots that support up to 8TB of total storage. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor with 64GB of soldered LPDDR5X RAM. Connectivity includes multiple USB-C and USB-A ports, a 3.5mm combo jack, and a microSD slot. A unique feature is the removable 1080p webcam, which attaches via pogo pins on the lid. In testing, the 80Wh battery provided nearly six hours of runtime, though charging speeds were limited, peaking at 54W and taking over three hours to reach full capacity. While the laptop is not designed for high-end gaming—achieving only 14 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077—it performs well for local AI model workloads, leveraging its unified memory architecture to run large language models efficiently. The device is priced at $3,140 in this configuration.

The StarFighter Mk II Ultra features a 16-inch 4K 120Hz IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The laptop includes two single-sided PCIe Gen 4 M.2 2280 slots, allowing for up to 8TB of storage.

The 1080p webcam is removable and connects to the laptop lid via pogo pins for privacy. The device is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor with 64GB of soldered LPDDR5X RAM.

The 80Wh battery provides approximately six hours of runtime but requires over three hours to charge fully. The laptop is not suitable for modern gaming, achieving low frame rates in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077.

Chapter guide

Unboxing and AccessoriesOverview of the included 65W charger, high-speed USB-C cable, and documentation.Design and Port SelectionExamination of the magnesium chassis, port layout, and the unique removable webcam.Keyboard, Trackpad, and Build QualityAssessment of the membrane keyboard, haptic trackpad, and overall chassis rigidity.Internal Components and RepairabilityTeardown of the laptop to reveal the SSD slots, Wi-Fi card, cooling system, and battery.Charging and Battery PerformanceAnalysis of the charging speed and battery life during standard usage.Gaming BenchmarksPerformance testing in Cyberpunk 2077 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.AI Model PerformanceEvaluation of the laptop's capability to run local large language models.Pricing and ConclusionDiscussion of the $3,140 price point and the laptop's position in the market.

Worth noting

  • The laptop's performance in gaming and AI tasks is based on specific, limited benchmarks provided by the creator.
  • The video mentions the host is an investor in Framework Computer, which may influence the perspective on repairable hardware.

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