I am looking for a laptop (or a tablet with attachable keyboard) that does not come with or allows for physically removing/disabling/destroying of all wireless connectivity hardware. Something cheap, around 200€ would be nice. I would only use this device for word processing, file management, and creating backups on LUKS encrypted drives. Should be able to run gnu-linux.
The closest thing I was able to find was the pinebook by pine64.org, which has killswitches for wifi and bluetooth. Sadly, these are controlled through software and not through a hardware switch.
Does anyone know of a cheap device with hardware killswitches, or a device that allows removing/destroying wifi and bluetooth components on the motherboard (without breaking)?
EDIT 1:
I am looking to buy a new device, not used, and with good enough performance to run a modern desktop environment such as gnome, kde, or cinnamon.
EDIT 2:
Following the advice of some commenters here, I have looked for models that I like, and tried to find a image/video of the motherboard. So far, every motherboard that I could get an image/video of, had the wifi/bluetooth chip soldered onto the motherboard. If anyone knows a brand that offers cheap laptop with modular mainboards, please let me know.
EDIT 3:
Some people here suggested buying an old ThinkPad. I checked for newer models made by the same company (“Lenovo”), and according to their hardware manual, the “IdeaPad” model also allows removing the wifi card, just like the ThinkPad did.
Here is a link to the manual for anyone who is interested (see page 43): https://download.lenovo.com/consumer/mobiles_pub/ideapad_1_hmm.pdf
This solution will work well for my use case and budget. Thanks you all for the advice.
In most laptops you can remove the WiFi/Bluetooth card if you are ok with a permanent solution.
This would be great, thank you. A permanent solution is what I am looking for. I already looked into removing stuff from the motherboard a bit, and I must have misunderstood something. The information I found was suggesting that this would likely result in the device not functioning anymore.
See if you can find guides for “Wi-Fi card replacement” for the model that you are looking into. For guides, try https://www.ifixit.com/
If it is a simple matter of unplugging a card (like the image above), it should be easy enough to undo if something goes wrong. Then instead of replacing the Wi-Fi card, just leave it out.
Dang near every model laptop has a teardown video on YouTube. If you had some models you’re interested in, look for a teardown video and see if the wireless module is socketed.
I can’t think of a modern laptop I’ve owned that didn’t have a socketed wireless card. Maybe one Alienware I owned.
Nah, this is a super common thing for laptops that go into secure areas.
Wireless cards (bluetooth + wifi) go into an m.2 Key E slot on motherboards, so they’re technically upgradeable to newer WI-FI standards. Some desktop motherboards have this as well. Typically, the chip has two thin cables going to the IO panel on desktops to COAX for antennas to connect to.
Just take out the wifi module. If you need wifi just use a USB adapter. That’s your kill switch.
I literally just bought a framework 13 laptop and was poking around in it (because it’s a repairable laptop). It 100% has a removable wireless card, and I was surprised because I assumed those were all soldered onto main boards these days.
Having a removable and upgradable wireless module makes sense given Framework’s ethos. Wifi is being constantly developed with new versions which makes it worthwhile to make upgradable wifi modules. Last time I checked you could even save some money by not including a wireless modules on the Intel models.
Agreed. Now that said, OP didn’t mention WHY he wanted WiFi hardware removed. Due to framework’s philosophy-it would be absolutely trivial to put one back in. Literally five screws.
Like if I was trying to keep a kid off the internet - it would probably fail. I know I’d just buy a card a pop it in when no one was looking. But I’m a rebel like that. :)
If you’re running Linux, another solution would be simply blacklisting the WiFi driver from the kernel.
It’s a software solution, but I fail to see any downside to it.
just get an older thinkpad and remove the wifi/bt module
