A laptop that survives dust storms, but not a PowerPoint slide
Anduril's BlueChip is built for the military, but it's not exactly a consumer hit.
The story
Anduril and Qualcomm are launching a US-made laptop called BlueChip, aiming to produce 90% of its components domestically, with a long-term goal of 100% US-made parts, targeting government and military use.
Source: techcrunch.com
Our reading
Anduril’s BlueChip laptop is supposed to be the anti-surveillance computer, but it’s also the anti-convenience computer. It’s designed to survive rain, dust, and whatever else nature throws at it, which means it’s probably heavier than a backpack full of bricks and has a battery life that makes a smartphone look like a power plant. It’s not even for regular people, just government agencies who want to feel good about buying American—despite the fact that the display itself is still made in China.
Palmer Luckey, the founder, says he’s not just bringing manufacturing back to the US, he’s bringing pride. But if you’re not a government contractor, you’re probably not going to care about the ‘transparent supply chain’ when your laptop weighs more than a small child and costs 20% more than a Dell. It’s like buying a tank for your home office, but without the actual tank.
Anduril’s vision is noble, if slightly delusional. It’s not just about making a better laptop—it’s about making a better America. Which is fine, as long as you’re okay with paying extra for the privilege of feeling patriotic while your laptop dies in the middle of a PowerPoint presentation.
