Coreboot vs libreboot vs osboot vs Heads

[fsflover]

For a reasonable security, you should use osboot on x230. For perfect user freedom, you could use Libreboot. See also:

Qubes Debian templates have non-free/contrib (apt) by default

The problem with the microcode is really unfortunate, because originally one could consider this part as “hardware, not software”. According to the FSF, everything which is updatable is software (and it should be free to save you from the dangers of non-free software), whereas things which need no updates are hardware. Of course, it’s a somewhat arbitrary line to put, but you have to put it somewhere, otherwise you cannot consider anything free under any conditions, unless you have your own man…

Also, the osboot website explains the differences quite well.