MNT REFORM
A laptop that survived
a global pandemic
Mission/Challenge
Lukas Hartman had a vision: to design a truly modular open-source laptop to empower the user, allowing them to repair, upgrade and adapt their laptops for their own use cases.
Outcome
I designed the laptop from the initial concepts, prototyping, testing it with the user until the final version for manufacturing. We had built over 4 full working versions of the laptop, tested and validated the product with the end-user, creating a truly desired product.
Initial concepts
Lukas wanted to base the design of the Reform on the Computer from the ‘80s. They used to have open schematics inviting the user to hack and repair the devices.
Style Guide
In order to reach that goal of his, I sketched the first concepts based on those computers, going in the opposite direction of a minimalist style as a MacBook.
MOODBOARD
Computers from the '80s had a lot of character and invited to experiment and take apart
What happens if the product doesn't solve a user's need?
Before we invested any time, money, and effort into developing the hardware, we interviewed our users and validated the desirability of our product through a mockup of an Amazon page.
With innovative ideas come big risks. You can avoid them by testing your assumptions.
Together with Lukas I've designed the first prototypes to test if the idea was viable and feasible. We used a wide range of rapid-prototyping techniques and electronic components that were available at the market to put the first working prototype together.
How to avoid frustrations?
The goal of the second prototype was to test the usability of the hardware.
In our second user interview, we gave the user simple tasks, in order to identify the main frustrations in the interaction with the device.
Selling 10 units to Beta Testers
After adjusting our product to fit the user needs, we sold, produced, and shipped 10 laptop units for testers.
By doing that, we've gained deeper user feedback and validated the desirability of our product.
The co-creation with Lukas and the constant interaction with the end-user were the key factors for the success of our product!
We offered a product that was truly desired by our customers, raising over € 250 000 in the middle of a global pandemic!
WHO
Lukas Hartmann
CEO of MNT Research Hardware/Software Engineer of MNT Reform
Greta Melnik
Head of Quality at MNT Research
Ana Dantas
Industrial Designer of MNT Reform
Renders and 3D CGI Sequence