The New 2022 System76 Thelio Desktop with a Customizable Case (Full Review)

[@SteveM0732]

Over the years I have had motherboards come and go, but cases get replaced at a much slower pace. It would seem that this case is locked in to the exact make and model of motherboard that it was designed around. I'd like to see System76 offer a replacement panel for the rear that would accept a traditional IO shield. And then they could even sell empty cases if they wanted to.

[@little_forest]

Exactly my line of thought. And that especially becomes apparent if you think about the processor of the review unit. The next generation of AMD processors, which is about to get released, will already need a new socket and thus a new motherboard. So that is the lifetime of this case, or at least parts of it - a few months - at least it seems to be. So this is kind of contradictory - despite the case being open source and made to last, it isn't.

[@jdancouga]

I at some point wanted to buy a Thelio but didn't because the MB io cutout. I really wish System76 can start selling the case only. Hopefully the bigger version can also have the option for 3.5" HDD as well.

[@ghsinfosec]

The intro was fantastic! I picked up a Lemur Pro after watching many reviews of System76 and I love it. I hope to get a Thelio someday, love your channel Jay!

[@henryd4331]

I noticed how you swapped the customizable front panel in the first minutes of the video without saying anything. Clever !

[@Admiralfeb]

I was just looking at 17:45. Looks like they might be leaving a spot open on the inner chassis for a potential front IO board like they are doing with the power button. Ideally, with that, the USBs/front audio jacks could have holes milled in the front of the chassis and the board would be present behind the holes. All speculation on my part of course.

[@henriquecustodio]

great video. I loved the review. I hope that someday I will be able to buy a System76 computer. hugs from Brazil

[@atreusduvelll600]

haha, this was a very well done video. Nice work, Jay! :D Made my morning

[@LearnLinuxTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@summer20105707]

I just ordered a Thelio. I can't wait until it arrives.

[@MountHail]

I ordered a Thelio Mira two days ago. I don't mind the new case, but I'm hoping I get the old one. I definitely prefer the full wood side panel.

[@WakeUpAmerican000s]

MountHail - How are you finding the Thelio Mira for your computing needs? Is it quiet when you're running it hard for gaming or video rendering? Are you running the POP OS, or some other distro? Have you found a suitable solution for the lack of connectivity on the front or top of the case?

[@adamcheck4941]

One reason I really love system 76 because their computers are made in Colorado, nearly everyone else cheats and cuts out really paying for manufacturing by outsourcing manufacturing to Chinese sweatshops. .

[@roadkill9173]

Could you make a video about how to clean your desktop...inside and out?

[@christopherjackson2157]

His office is so much cleaner than mine lol

[@LearnLinuxTV]

You should see it now, after that recording was done I started remodeling a bit. There's a stack of lumber all over the floor of my office right now. I'm not even kidding. This is going to be a HUGE project. Hopefully it turns out well!

[@brandongraham3509]

@@LearnLinuxTV can you put pictures up on your Patreon when you do behind the scenes projects like that?

[@HopliteSecurity]

This was awesome! Thank you for the case review and keep up the great content! ❤ 😺

[@PauloCesar-td9xo]

Jay uses the same passing as Chef John from food wishes when he's speaking, btw great review

[@MotownBatman]

Does the System Panel Keep Changin!!! I NEED MY MED's! I've honestly never Pay'd much attention to System76, but that is a Sweet Looking System! Ed McMahan gives it..... 4 Stars!!!

[@JustinCole45]

Cracking me up with the nonchalant changing accent panels

[@jrommeke]

I also like to have USB ports on the front of the case as well as card reader slots, or at least be able to add a card reader to the front panel. I do like how easy it is to add/swap SSD's. What about the large bottom fan, is it loud? I do see you it has a Noctua cooler and fan. I know those fans are very quiet, did it come as standard? Although I am running a rather old desktop (socket 1366😁) I don´t feel the urge to upgrade, and when I do it will again be a custom build.

[@WakeUpAmerican000s]

I love the approach and gestalt of System 76, and I'd love to acquire a Mira as my primary computer, but the inflexibility with motherboard replacement and no USB and audio ports accessible from the front of the system are showstoppers for me.

[@sunnyspctech]

Whats the case in the back that was next to the sys76 one that has the tempered glass ?

[@twotwosix3396]

Is it possible for you to make a video how to backup a dual boot drive (W10 - Ubuntu 22.04), to an external drive? And when the computer had crashed, how to restore the drive from the backup copy. Image people have a 500Gb Hdd or SSD dual boot drive nicely installed with lots of programs, how can we backup the full drive, as mS had made some small boot partitions to begin with?

[@TimotheousMaximus]

Thank you for your videos.

[@dennisolsson3119]

If the mood panel were hinged they would have place for all USB ports and audio jack's and memory card readers in the world.

[@WakeUpAmerican000s]

Dennis - true, but the way that the case lifts up and off of the chassis would be trickey if there was a cable to the front panel. Expanding on your comment, if they put the front connections at the bottom of the decorative stripe by using a permanently mounted bracket, then yes, the case would still be easy to lift off. This premium system needs 3.5mm audio out and mic in jacks on the front, as well as a USB-C and other USB 3.x ports.

[@dcknature]

This new accent panel looks amazing 👍. I really like this new feature and the ability to customize your case is actually genius. I think it's WAY better than the old design. Besides, I'm not a huge fan of fake woodgrain. I'm sorry, but a fake is a fake 🤥. Also I suppose, this swappable panel could be hinged to serve as door for hidden USB ports, card readers, etc. System 76, you can steal this idea 😉💡!

[@alexgerber5675]

actually the wood grain is still real

[@ricardog.s2505]

I do not live in the US but System76 does ship to my country (Chile) and the fact that is fake woodgrain is really good, because otherwise it could not enter to my country, as it is ilegal to bring foreing wood so while yeah the fact that is fake sucks but I think I understand why they decided to fake it instead of using real wood

[@donaldsmith400]

I also can't figure out how to turn off the annoyingly bright LED lights on the Thelio Mira, any clues or instructions on how to do this?

[@donaldsmith400]

I guess I could cover the power button with some electrical tape... I'm sure that's what system76 was thinking when the designed the outer case... By the way replaceable accent panels are just a gimmick for something I don't need. I have the old cover and the wood is already cracking...

[@averagemamil4523]

Love it! Want one! ……but they don’t ship to where I live 😢 - informative vid Jay, many thanks 🙏

[@LearnLinuxTV]

That sucks, I hope they start shipping to your area soon.

[@Denvercoder]

They should put USB ports under that panel on the front that comes off. Then it could come with two panels, One panel with no USB holes and one with USB holes.

[@RichardSwift]

dude if they can teleport their units I'm all in!

[@LearnLinuxTV]

I think that would be great, but if a bit got flipped during that process, it would definitely create a strange result!

[@jamescameron1861]

Might I suggest USB on the top of the case? Behind a shield if needed. I would be happy to pay a reasonable premium

[@LearnLinuxTV]

That's a great compromise!

[@WakeUpAmerican000s]

Need to put the front panel where it won't be a problem when lifting off the case from the chassis. How about on a small panel at the bottom of the chassis attached to the chassis, not the case that lifts off. Hide it behind the decorative stripe of color if you like.

[@vicmac3513]

I've been waiting decades that prebuilts would be cool again. This definedly is. They should just remove some unnecessary cnc'ing and attach the I/O shield into their own mobos. That would benefit in upgradeability in future (Right to Repair). Magnetic Dust filter would be cheaper than the current finger shield (from 90's). I hope System76 is the company which releases the successor for my Thinkpad T420. There is no laptop with 18650-cells and old style keyboard available. I can't be productive without trackpoint and physical mouse buttons. The Cosmic and Redox are both reasons why my binoculars changed into S76 from Lenovo. Hopefully LL-T stays a messenger for these rare, superior quality products in the future.

[@donaldsmith400]

I recently purchased a Thelio Mira and included the AMD® Beige_goby so I could have the S_PDIF optical output to connect to my old Sony receiver which does not have HDMI inputs or outputs. Turns out the ASUS mother board does NOT support 5.1 or better surround sound for the S_PDIF output(at least that is what system76 support told me). What a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!!! and an expensive mistake... I mean why have the S_PDIF if the motherboard doesn't support it's functionality?!? WHY!!!???

[@donaldsmith400]

I'm sure this seems trivial to most but it's particularly annoying when my 2013 Lenovo had S-PDIF surround sound and my xbox and playstation has it also. Fn Stupid!!!

[@unklebonehead]

When are you going to review a Meerkat?

[@theoriginalmilenko]

hey! remember console tv's??? (shows a table top model)

[@KLiNoTweet]

Thewooden panel would be my choice.❤

[@professorofficer9609]

GeForce in a linux compatible pc?

[@Bluelight82]

But is everything in thinlinc encrypted and safe over the internet?

[@Andre-xu3pq]

Thelio is a great must have but only if you have a also a big wallet, its on the top of the PC market prices i think its make the for lots of people not posible

[@punkrockllama]

I want it to be stress tested to see how good the cooling is. It appears to not have great air flow. I do think they could keep their amazing aesthetic and have a mesh front and front I/O.

[@ozobianwadibia]

Your desk looks cool. Can it rise and become a standing desk?

[@LearnLinuxTV]

No, I do not have that ability, but I've thought about getting one of those desk add-ons that give you that function.

[@ozobianwadibia]

@@LearnLinuxTV Okay, thanks for responding. Nice computer.

[@maurolimaok]

Uau. It's a premium product.

[@wyfyj]

Love this

[@bcarr1122]

Jay, as a person with a major physical disability, I appreciate your comments.

[@tgmct]

"easily servicable by the consumer" You obviously don't know how old console tv's were totally unserviceable by the consumer (and even many tv repairmen). Many of these old units required a moving company just to get it inside the front door. If it went on the fritz (often), people were subject to the good old tv repairman who would show up with his suitcase full of vacuum tubes. He would usually just trade out tubes until he hopefully hit the one causing the problem. It wasn't until Sony came out with reasonably stable transistor circuitry, did things get better.

[@LearnLinuxTV]

I've known plenty of people that repaired their own TV's and Radios and such, so inexperience or inability doesn't really factor in here, because I can similarly argue that most people don't know how to replace a motherboard. Doesn't mean I'm wrong, just means that some people just aren't qualified to make the repair.

[@camerontgore]

@@LearnLinuxTV I feel like this person must have zoned out for a minute... At no point did you make the asterion that old tvs were serviceable. Only that it was styled like those old appliances.

[@rodfer5406]

No usb on front, smart card reader, dvd….makes it a no-go for me

[@christopherjackson2157]

System76 is cool :)

[@christopherjackson2157]

Oh and I love the funny intros

[@LearnLinuxTV]

The intro was a lot of fun to make for sure! Took a bit of time to get it right though.

[@KLiNoTweet]

Maybe Linus should have used a Thelio LOL.

[@rodfer5406]

Refresh with amd chip!

[@TradersTradingEdge]

LOL! Love it §8-)

[@blackrosegallade9667]

Third. Also, I like My Little Pony

[@puffinrock2871]

Nice review, but I’m not a fan of system76. I’m a hard pass on pretty much anything they produce.

[@LearnLinuxTV]

That's a shame, you're missing out on some great stuff. The products I've purchased from them have served me well.

[@guilherme5094]

👍

[@in2webelieve997]

Jesus Video starts at 4:20

[@samvimes9510]

Kinda want one of these, but to be honest, not having USB ports on the front is completely asinine. I don't want to have to reach behind my computer or physically turn it around every time I need to plug my phone in, and I don't want to have to buy a USB hub just to get around the problem. That's the kinda crap Apple pulls, sacrificing functionality for aesthetics. If System76 don't want USB ports to be visible on the front for whatever reason, they could always hide them behind a small panel that flips down or something.

[@choppergirl]

So what is up with this custom firmware on the motherboard and custom firmware on an IO daughterboard. First of all, WHY? And is this going to prevent you from running any other operating system on the hardware. The motherboard, probably not, but if there are only Thelio drivers for the io daughter board... yeah, might be a major strike against it. You should be able to throw it away though and just use the IO on the dmotherboard, in fact, it makes you wonder.. why they need a custom IO daughterboard for any IO at all.. it should be all otu the back on the motherboard. I'd definitely aprt it out and throw away all the value added System76 work as adding no value at all, and just recycle the parts into a new build. I'm not saying I wouldn't give PopOS a fair chance... I'd do my best to get everything I needed to run under it... Steam, Paintdotnet, my games, OBS studio, Audigy, Sony Vegas Movie Editor, etc. If I could get all my WIndows programs to run under it and the UI didn't drive me crazy, I'd be like hey great, goodbye WIndows! But if it couldn't yeah, like every other user, I'm fleeing back to WIndows where stuff jsut works.

[@godkingcthulhu138]

🐙

[@soupmachine5831]

I must say your bits are so nerdy they border on cringe, welcomed cring but cring none the less.

[@techtipsuk]

Not to my taste this aesthetic, looks dated.

[@sanjeev2003]

Hello.

[@jsega996]

First

[@rex7305]

people actually use linux??