Why does it need to be done?

KDE Patrons have a portfolio of devices that ship with Linux, but if you look at all the options available for a customer, choosing a Linux device narrows their options significantly.
Existing users thinking about purchasing a new device would have much more options if KDE maintained a catalog of devices that work well with KDE.

What it will take

We'd need to make a standard test that every qualifying device would need to pass.
Something like:

• General hardware compatibility on a distro chosen by the manufacturer. Cameras, fingerprint readers, keyboard backlights, sleep/wake, graphics etc. have to work out of the box
• Features in Plasma (like power-profiles and battery limits, screen brightness) that are hardware-specific need to work
• The device should be openable and repairable
• The device should use as many sustainable materials as possible
• The device should have long-time firmware support / updates and warranty from the manufacturer
• The manufacturer's utilities should work well on Plasma
• In cases when something doesn't work out of the box, there should be documentation and tools to easily fix problems

Depending on how many of these criteria are met, KDE Verified would have different tiers (similar to Steam Deck verified, for ex.)
It would start by testing our patron's devices, they would of course stay the most important part of the ecosystem, they would be in the highest tier

How does it connect to KDE's vision of "A world in which everyone has control over their digital life and enjoys freedom and privacy"?
If more users use devices that are compatible with Plasma, the overall user experience improves for them. People with verified devices are more likely to give Plasma a shot if they know it’s going to work smoothly on their hardware. Plus, KDE would continue to promote the use of repairable devices.

How would it affect different parts of KDE?
Plasma would have to work more often on hardware compatibility, but manufacturers would hopefully contribute more often as well.

How we know we succeeded

This project wouldn't bring quick results, but if we are persistent, after few years KDE could have a much larger catalog of devices that surely work with Plasma.
Getting devices to test would of course be a problem, and in the start we'd probably rely on random people testing their devices or sending them to someone for testing. As KDE goes forward with world domination, however, working on partnerships with established OEMs can become more viable.
In the long term, KDE could even charge companies a small fee to promote their products with the KDE Verified virtual badges, banners, or physical stickers.

Relevant links

https://kde.org/hardware/

Champions

The team is:

• XXX
• XXX
• XXX

I am willing to put work into this

• add your name

I am interested

• add your name