System76 Thelio Mira: A New Generation of Linux Workstations
System76 has announced the next generation of the Thelio Mira, a professional desktop designed and manufactured in Denver, Colorado.1 The redesigned system focuses on enhanced performance, improved serviceability, and a refined aesthetic, catering specifically to the needs of professional Linux users.
Design and Build Quality
The Thelio Mira’s new design emphasizes functionality and durability over purely aesthetic considerations. It features a monolithic tempered glass front and soft radiused edges, creating a balanced and professional appearance.1 Ventilation is integrated into the design with a steel mesh side panel and optimized vent geometry, revealing the system’s airflow. The design aims to present the computer as a piece of professional equipment rather than consumer electronics.
Performance and Specifications
The Thelio Mira offers a range of configuration options, starting with the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X processor and scaling up to the 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D.2 All configurations utilize an ASRock X870 Pro RS WiFi motherboard, modified by System76 for improved Linux compatibility and performance. A dedicated Thelio Io add-on board manages power and fan control.3
Graphics options range from integrated Ryzen graphics and NVIDIA RTX 3050 6GB to high-end NVIDIA RTX 5090 32GB and AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB cards.2 Graphics cards must be no larger than 358 mm and occupy no more than three slots.
The system supports up to 192GB of DDR5 RAM and NVMe SSD storage ranging from 500GB to 4TB, with additional options for a second NVMe drive and a 2.5-inch drive bay for expanded storage.2 It similarly includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity.
Thermal Management and Serviceability
System76 has improved the Thelio Mira’s thermal design, resulting in CPU clock speeds up to 19% faster and operating temperatures reduced by as much as 13.5 degrees Celsius compared to previous designs.1 Liquid cooling is available to maintain peak performance during extended workloads.
Serviceability is a key focus, with quick-access magnetic panels and an organized interior layout facilitating easy access, upgrades, and component replacement. A bottom dust filter is easily removable for cleaning.
Software Support
The Thelio Mira is designed to run Linux optimally and can be configured with Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS or Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.2 Although other modern Linux distributions are compatible, some hardware features may require additional configuration.
Pricing and Availability
The Thelio Mira is available for purchase directly from the System76 online store. Prices start at $1,699 for a base configuration featuring a Ryzen 5 9600X processor, integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, a 500GB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4.2 Custom configurations are available, offering a flexible solution for Linux professionals.