Brax open_slate tablet launches on Indiegogo with privacy focus and open-source ethos

After launching a privacy-focused smartphone called the Brax3 a few years ago, Brax Technologies is expanding its hardware lineup with a new tablet called the open_slate. It's a tablet that puts privacy and user choice front and center, with features like hardware kill switches, support for multiple operating systems, and a user-replaceable battery and storage, among other things.

The open_slate has a 12 inch display, a MediaTek Genio 720 processor, hardware kill switches that let you disable the mic, cameras, GPS, Bluetooth, and WiFi by physically disconnecting the circuitry. While the Genio 720 processor is an unusual choice for a mobile device (it's really designed for IoT), Brax chose it because it's supported by the mainline Linux kernel, making the tablet compatible with a variety of operating systems including Linux distros like Ubuntu, Ubuntu Touch, and Yocto Project, as well as a de-Googled version of Android called BraxOS. Or you can load your own operating system.

The tablet is also designed to be easy to repair or upgrade. Remove two screws on the back of the tablet and you can access an M.2 2280 slot for PCIe 2.0 storage or a network card. You don't even need a screwdriver or any other tools to remove the battery. Just slide a switch to release it.

Another unusual feature is the glass panel on the back of the tablet that provides a view of the motherboard without opening up the chassis.

The open_slate will be available in two configurations. The $429 version is an entry-level model with a 2400 x 1600 pixel, 90 Hz IPS LCD display, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. But there's also a $629 Pro model with a 2.8K, 120 Hz OLED display, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.

One thing to keep in mind is that those are early bird prices though: retail prices are expected to be $599 and $799, respectively.

Here's a complete breakdown of the open_slate's specifications:

open_slate Pro

Display

• 12 inches
• 2.8K 120 Hz AMOLED
• 600 nits (100 nits peak)
• 10-point capacitive touch

Processor

• MediaTek Genio 720
• 2 x Arm Cortex-A78 @ 2.6 GHz
• 6 x Arm Cortex-A55 @ 2 GHz
• Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
• 9 TOPS NPU

Memory & Storage

• 16GB LPDDR5x_6400 RAM
• 256GB flash (onboard)
• M.2 2280 (PCIe 2.0 NVMe support)
• microSD card reader

Battery & Charging

• 8,000 mAh Removable
• 33W fast charging

Ports

• 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C
• 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
• 1 x mini DisplayPort
• 3.5mm audio
• 1 x 5-pin pogo connector

Wireless

• WiFi 6E + BT 5.3 (at launch)
• 5G support (via external module, to be confirmed)
• GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, QZSS
• NFC
• FM Radio

Hardware Kill Switches

• Camera
• Mic
• GPS
• Bluetooth
• WiFi

Sensors

• Accelerometer
• Proximity sensor
• Gyroscope
• Hall sensor
• Light sensor
• Fingerprint sensor (power button)

Cameras

• 2 x 16MP (rear)
• 1 x 8MP (front)

Audio

• Quad speakers (1W each)

Dimensions

• 248.6 x 179.5 x 9mm
• 9.79" x 7.07" x 0.35"

Weight

• 650 grams
• 1.4 pounds

Price

• $469 (Early Bird)
• $599 (Retail)

open_slate

Display

• 12 inches
• 2400 x 1600 pixels
• 90 Hz IPS LCD
• 400 nits
• 10-point capacitive touch

Processor

• MediaTek Genio 720
• 2 x Arm Cortex-A78 @ 2.6 GHz
• 6 x Arm Cortex-A55 @ 2 GHz
• Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
• 9 TOPS NPU

Memory & Storage

• 8GB LPDDR4X-4266 RAM
• 128GB flash (onboard)
• M.2 2280 (PCIe 2.0 NVMe support)
• microSD card reader

Battery & Charging

• 8,000 mAh Removable
• 33W fast charging

Ports

• 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C
• 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
• 1 x mini DisplayPort
• 3.5mm audio
• 1 x 5-pin pogo connector

Wireless

• WiFi 6E + BT 5.3 (at launch)
• 5G support (via external module, to be confirmed)
• GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, QZSS
• NFC
• FM Radio

Hardware Kill Switches

• Camera
• Mic
• GPS
• Bluetooth
• WiFi

Sensors

• Accelerometer
• Proximity sensor
• Gyroscope
• Hall sensor
• Light sensor
• Fingerprint sensor (power button)

Cameras

• 2 x 16MP (rear)
• 1 x 8MP (front)

Audio

• Quad speakers (1W each)

Dimensions

• 248.6 x 179.5 x 9mm
• 9.79" x 7.07" x 0.35"

Weight

• 650 grams
• 1.4 pounds

Price

• $429 (Early Bird)
• $599 (Retail)

There are some features that still appear to be up in the air – for example, the official spec sheet describes the onboard storage as "(eMMC 5.1, UFS 3.1 (2L), SD 3.0, SPI-NOR)," and the dimensions are approximate. But overall it seems like the open_slate design process is largely complete.

Optional accessories offered during crowdfunding include a Keyboard + Folio case ($89 during crowdfunding, $99 retail) and an Active Stylus with 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity ($59 during crowdfunding, $69 retail). Brax has also mentioned plans for a few other accessories including a Book Folio case and a tempered glass screen protector.

The open_slate Indiegogo campaign launched with reward levels starting at $469, with an expected ship date of September 2026. This gives the company time to finalize the design and begin production while allowing early adopters to secure the device at a discount compared to the planned retail prices.

The open_slate represents a different approach to mobile computing, emphasizing repairability, upgradeability, and user control over hardware and software. By choosing a processor with mainline Linux kernel support and including hardware kill switches for all major sensors and radios, Brax is targeting users who prioritize privacy and open-source principles over the convenience of mainstream mobile platforms.

For developers and privacy-conscious users, the ability to run Linux distributions or de-Googled Android versions on a tablet with hardware kill switches could make the open_slate an attractive alternative to conventional tablets. The replaceable battery and expandable storage also address common pain points with modern mobile devices, where planned obsolescence often forces users to replace entire devices rather than individual components.

As the crowdfunding campaign progresses, it will be interesting to see whether there's sufficient demand for a privacy-focused, open-source tablet in a market dominated by Apple, Samsung, and other major manufacturers. The success of the open_slate could indicate growing interest in devices that give users more control over their hardware and software choices.