I am a Computer Hardware professional. I started working with computer technology in the early eighties. I have seen the evolution of technology starting with closed platforms like the game console era and then the move toward open platforms like the Home Computer Golden Age. In the last 5 or 10 years, I have witnessed technology changes that are slowly moving away from open hardware designs towards hardware that is locked down and can’t be modified by the user.
System76s’ (at least used to) use rebranded Clevo laptops with their own flashed motherboard firmware. I’ve replaced parts on mine with direct Clevo spare parts.