"Technically, Intel ME is still operational on this laptop. However, malicious features such as Intel AMT are removed using me_cleaner. For all intents and purposes, this laptop is very similar freedom-wise to a Libreboot laptop, but it is absolutely true that a Libreboot system is superior in terms of software freedom. However, if you’re willing to slightly compromise (neutered Intel ME, after running me_cleaner, is fairly benign and does barely anything), these laptops offer a huge performance improvement over Libreboot thinkpads.

Minifree runs me_cleaner which modifies the Intel ME up to the point where it is only active during the boot process, but otherwise disabled during normal operation. Only basic hardware initialization is still performed, but otherwise the Intel ME becomes benign from a security perspective, providing only basic power management. Coreboot is handling the vast majority of the hardware initialization and is 100% Free Software on this laptop.

Proprietary features such as AMT are no longer present or accessible after me_cleaner is used. The me_cleaner program removes all networking from the Intel ME, thus removing any security risks associated with Intel ME."