Frequently asked questions
- What condition are these devices in?
- Refurbished, not new — off-lease laptops and used or new Pixels that go through our full refurb and QA process before they're ever listed. See "Our process" for exactly what that covers.
- Which tier should I get?
- If you're not sure, Tier 1 is a perfectly good everyday Linux laptop. Tier 2 is worth it if you're actively trying to reduce what you leak day to day. Tier 3 is for people with a real threat model — journalists, activists — and we'll talk through it with you before we configure anything.
- Do I need to already know Linux or GrapheneOS?
- No. Every listing comes fully set up — you're not installing an OS yourself. We're also reachable through encrypted messaging on any listing if you have questions before or after buying.
- Can I customize what's installed?
- Yes — at checkout you choose your OS target, app bundle, and policy toggles, and we build to that configuration rather than shipping a fixed image.
- How does the encryption passphrase work?
- Tier 1 and 2 units ship with a temporary disk-encryption passphrase you change on first boot. Tier 3 units are set up together with you in person, so you choose the real passphrase yourself and we never know it.
- Is messaging with the store actually private?
- Yes — messages between you and us are end-to-end encrypted in your browser before they're ever sent. We can't read your message content even if we wanted to; see the messaging thread on any listing.
- How do I pay, and is it secure?
- Checkout is handled through PayPal. We never see or store your card details.
- Do you ship, or is this local pickup?
- We're a local, in-person operation, and handoff in person is the default — especially for Tier 3 builds, where setting your encryption passphrase together matters. Message us on your listing or order to work out what's possible for you.
- What if something's wrong after I get it?
- Message us through your order and we'll sort it out. Every unit goes through diagnostics before listing, but if something slips through, tell us.
Don't see your question? Message us directly from any listing — those conversations are end-to-end encrypted.