Wow, as someone who’s looking to build a new PC Tower this is very scary!!
Is it possible to buy safe OEM hardware components for a new PC?
If not, how can we check that the hardware components are not sending information back to someone on the Internet???
This Microsoft article talks about “a secured core PC” but it doesn’t give suggestions for where to buy such hardware components which is really annoying:
I just hope I can find some safe hardware 
Hello, I’m sorry to resurrect this but I recently got a ThinkPad with Lenovo Commercial Vantage preinstalled on it. I set it up and saw that it installed some missing firmware, incl. a critical BIOS update specific to my device.
I’ve been trying to find info re: potential privacy issues with this. I do believe that a lot of this service is not just bloatware, as I can already see it has tools to manage my Windows system that native Windows does not have, as well as the ability to install firmware that optimizes security that I wouldn’t know how to easily get elsewhere.
My knowledge of computer science is minimal. All I’m concerned with is that I prefer that no identifying data that can be used for mass/dragnet surveillance (e.g. live location data, detailed network and web data and histories) is not shared with at least 3rd parties outside of Lenovo.
Obviously, it’s also preferable that Lenovo itself doesn’t collect and retain more data than it needs for providing basic security and functionality - but I’ve given up a say in this already by buying their product in the first place. And obviously, I have no illusions about Windows itself. I’m just trying to minimize the threats, so to speak.
I have read posts about the Israeli OEM but they seem to be upwards of 2 years old. I also read posts advising to disable the “wifi network security” feature as it does appear to be bloatware, but also about 1-2 years dated.
Does anyone have any updates on this and maybe some advice for a standard user who may just have a bit more understanding and ability to FAFO than an average user?
I appreciate your reply!
I wish there were more hardware related threads on PrivacyGuides because what’s the point of having secure software if your hardware device is uploading personal data back to the Internet?
I’m always looking for hardware devices that I can trust.
I would agree that hardware should also be a significant discussion but i think there are more software leaning individuals here than hardware leaning individuals. Getting expert opinion is difficult to what I perceive to be its rarity.
I think the answer to this is simple: sometimes there is just no alternative.
Take an Nvidia GPU, like an RTX 4090.
What would be an alternative with Open Source hardware, with all the schematics and with a similar performance/price ratio?
Answer: there is nothing similar.
Thread closed, have a nice day.
This would unfortunately be 99% of the time, the answer for this kind of question.
And it probably never will be available because Risc V is not making as much money as Jensen, period. Different goals/business models whatsoever and unfair competition.
Just like you cannot compete with a Tesla and build your own open hardware/software tomorrow out of thin air while being competitive in terms of price. Most people do care only about the prices of things anyway, without even thinking about privacy. 
This, you have to make it as affordable as possible if a person doesnt have unlimited budget, privacy or not
its why I said there are brand that I like their value for money but open to options
