Novena is an open-hardware laptop platform built around an i.MX6 Quad ARM processor and a programmable FPGA. You could build and modify it using the project’s published hardware documentation, but it was designed for hands-on assembly—not as a ready-to-use consumer laptop. The leather-bound description refers to an early prototype; the handcrafted case offered during its 2014 campaign was wood and aluminum. The original Crowd Supply offering is now marked unavailable.
What is the Novena laptop?
Created by Andrew “bunnie” Huang and Sean “xobs” Cross, Novena was intended as a computer people could inspect, repair, and extend. Its PCB documentation was made freely available, and its software could be built from source. Unlike a sealed consumer laptop, the design exposed its internals and provided expansion interfaces for custom hardware.
Crowd Supply described Novena as a 1.2GHz Freescale quad-core ARM computer closely coupled with a Xilinx FPGA. The campaign warned, “This is not a machine for the faint of heart.” That was a practical description: users had assembly tasks, and the platform invited experimentation with hardware and software.
Why is it called leather-bound?
The leather-bound case was an early prototype, not the distinctive production case from the campaign. In his 2014 crowdfunding article, Huang said the first cases were hand-built from aluminum and leather to test the laptop concept. The later case design opened unusually widely, using a gas spring to expose the internals without requiring the user to remove screws.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 14.1" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy ergonomic support with the integrated cushioned wrist rest.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a sleek black carbon color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.8 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
The campaign also offered an “heirloom” laptop with a handcrafted wood-and-aluminum case by Kurt Mottweiler. In other words, “leather-bound” describes an early stage of the design, not the defining finish of the campaign model.
What hardware is inside Novena?
The core is a single-board computer with a general-purpose processor and a separate programmable FPGA. The main published hardware details are:
| Component | Novena specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Freescale/NXP i.MX6 Quad SoC, clocked at 1.2GHz in the Crowd Supply and CNX Software descriptions. |
| Memory | DDR3 SO-DIMM, up to 4GiB. |
| Programmable logic | Xilinx Spartan-6 LX45 FPGA. |
| Boot and storage | MicroSD boot storage and a SATA-II connector for a disk or SSD. The official configuration included a 240GiB SATA SSD. |
| Other interfaces | Ethernet, USB OTG, a utility serial EEPROM, and high-speed expansion interfaces for custom hardware. |
The campaign’s illustrated laptop measured 330 × 225 × 27mm to the bezel surface, or 30mm with socket-cap screws, and was listed at 1.36kg. These are the published figures for the pictured configuration, not a guarantee that a custom-built unit with different parts will match them.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Could you build a Novena yourself?
Yes, in the sense that the hardware documentation and software sources were made available for others to use and build from. In practice, assembling a complete laptop meant sourcing compatible parts and doing work that ordinary laptop buyers do not have to do. Crowd Supply stated that users installed the battery, selected and installed an LCD bezel, and assembled the speakers. The keyboard was deliberately omitted so owners could choose one they preferred.
The campaign configuration included a 240GiB SATA SSD, and Debian GNU/Linux came preinstalled. The project’s description said users could build and install another distribution. Assembly and modification were part of the design, rather than optional upgrades to a finished, sealed machine.
The machine’s open layout also made its construction accessible: with the display open, the exposed motherboard relied on passive cooling. The Novena guide covers practical technical work including Debian installation, kernel and U-Boot compilation, FPGA experimentation, external HDMI use, Wi-Fi access-point setup, and porting operating systems.
Rank #3
- Note: Not suitable for MacBooks released after 2023 or devices with a protruding front camera; Not applicable to full-screen or notch-style tempered glass screen protectors; Do not use on the rear camera of the phone.
- 💻 Why Do You Need a Webcam Cover Slide? — Safeguard your privacy by covering your webcam with our reliable webcam cover when not in use. Don't let anyone secretly watch you. Stay protected!
- ✅ Thin & Stylish — Enhance your laptop's functionality and aesthetics with our 0.027" ultra-thin webcam covers. Seamlessly close your laptop while adding a touch of sophistication.
- ✅ Fits Most Devices — Compatible with laptops, phones, tablets, desktops! Keep your privacy intact on Ap/ple, Mac/Book, iPh/one, iP/ad, H/P, L/novo, De/ll, Ac/er, As/us, Sa/msung devices.
- ✅ 365 Days Protection — Our upgraded 3.0 adhesive ensures a strong hold that won't damage your equipment. Experience reliable, long-term privacy protection day in and day out.
What battery does Novena use?
Novena’s battery system was designed around user-selected packs commonly used by RC enthusiasts, not a single ordinary laptop battery. Its controller connected to the main board through a SATA-style connection and supported a 3S1P balancing connector. It also provided fast charging above 4A, active cell balancing, pack-capacity learning, degradation tracking, and battery statistics over SMBus. An STM32 master controller ran ChibiOS.
The campaign’s published example used a 3000mAh, three-cell lithium pack and estimated three to four hours of runtime, depending on backlight level. That estimate was made with no CPU throttling and with peripherals powered even when unused; it should not be treated as a guaranteed runtime for other packs or builds.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsA replacement pack should not be chosen by capacity or appearance alone. Confirm electrical and connector compatibility, including voltage, the balancing lead, physical dimensions, and documentation from the seller. The project’s battery design is specialized enough that an unverified RC pack is not a safe substitute.
Rank #4
- Anti-Slip Surface - Transform your laptop into a mobile workstation with the AboveTEK portable laptop lap desk. The anti-slip surface provides a strong grip for laptops up to 15.6 inches(Diagonal), while the double rubber strip on the bottom ensures a stable display or typing experience on your lap, couch, or bed.
- Retractable Mouse Pad - Retractable laptop mouse pad extends on both directions for the left/right handed with elevation along the edges for stopping mouse from falling off. The size of laptop tray is 14" X 9.7" and the size of mouse pad is 7.4" X 6.1".
- Effective Heat Shield - The effective heat shield made of sturdy and thick material protects your laptop from overheating. Prioritizes your comfort and safety, an ideal lap pad or board for working anywhere.
- EASY to Carry and Store - With an ergonomic and simplistic design, the lap desk is portable to store in a backpack. Only 15" in size, 2.2 lb of weight and with slim 0.6 inch thickness, it is ready to be easily carried around.
- Widely Applicable - The smooth platform accommodates laptops and tablets up to 15.6 inches(Diagonal), making it a versatile accessory and one of the best gifts for mom, dad, students and professionals. Perfect for use as a laptop bed tray or tablet holder anywhere at home, library, or park.
What software could it run?
Campaign configurations shipped with Debian GNU/Linux, but the project did not limit users to Debian. The Novena guide documents source-based system work, including building the kernel and bootloader, working with FPGA communications, and porting an operating system.
Project updates show software development in progress during the campaign. A 2014 manufacturing update recorded work on Linux kernel 3.16-rc2, suspend-to-disk, early suspend and resume, and audio drivers. A later progress report noted Fedora booting and continued work on Senoko battery firmware. These are historical development milestones, not a statement about current software support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was Novena sold, and is it available now?
The Crowd Supply campaign funded on May 18, 2014, raising $890,732 against a $250,000 goal: 356% funded, with 856 backers. The campaign page now marks the original offering “Not Available,” so it should not be treated as a current retail listing.
Best Value
- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 12" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
Andrew Huang’s later book, The Hardware Hacker, says the team fulfilled the campaign and then chose to support the motherboard for at least five years from launch while limiting the supply-chain burden of offering the complete laptop. That history helps explain why an open design and a currently purchasable laptop are not the same thing: documentation can remain useful even when campaign hardware is no longer being sold.
Who is Novena for?
Novena makes the most sense for people interested in open hardware, board-level experimentation, repair, and software or FPGA development—and who are comfortable sourcing and assembling components. Its published specifications and guide offer a path to study and build from, but the unavailable campaign means prospective builders should establish that they can obtain the necessary hardware before planning a complete laptop.
For someone seeking a conventional laptop that is easy to buy, set up, and use without assembly, Novena’s project history and hands-on design are poor substitutes for a currently supported retail computer. Its significance is the unusual degree of access and customization it aimed to give its owner.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
