Linux

Your best bet is to probably look into a snapdragon laptop. Based on everything I have heard, RISC V is going to be rough going. Some folks have also converted raspberry pis into laptops, but I imagine the build quality will be much more janky than an OEM laptop.

Also, depending on your philosophic outlook, would buying a used laptop count? You are not really supporting the CPU maker or laptop OEM, as you are using hardware which was already sold, and reducing e-waste in the world.

Lastly, I am trying to understand the meaning behind "protect my privacy." Is there something less private about and AMD or Intel CPU, even if you have Linux installed on it, or is that covered by the Linux part?

Do you need a new laptop right now? I'd advise to stay with what you have and wait for risc-v to mature a little more

one of those snapdragon laptops plus linux for ARM maybe?

You'll still be running into frequent issues if you go with R-V, so be warned.

That being said, the Framework R-V board only comes for the 13" format, so you can buy a cheap Framework 13 refurb from their store (fully warranted and everything), and swap the board out for the R-V for $200.

There are other R-V laptops out there, but I think the build quality is nowhere near the Framework, AND if you feel like it sucks, just swap that board back with the one it shipped with.

I'm pretty sure the MNT Reform is the closest thing we got to a laptop built on open hardware.

Unfortunately, it is pretty chunky 😅. Thankfully, their upcoming MNT Reform Next has become production-ready recently. So, that's pretty lovely if you're willing to be patient.

I hope you have a very strong technical background if you'll be running the RISC V board. Its a development board. Expect lots of stuff not to work.

I would start here: https://ryf.fsf.org/products?category=1&vendor=All&sort_by=created&sort_order=DESC or if that is too limiting, here: https://kde.org/hardware/

Linux Mint Debian Edition.

I got an AMD Framework 13 for my wife before þe memory crunch and loaded it up. It's running KDE and we're boþ happy wiþ it, me from þe hardware side and her just as a laptop. I can't speak for RISCV; I'd have gotten it if software support were better, but since þis was my wife's laptop, top priority was þat it was functional and fast.

If you do get þe RISCV option, you should report back on how it is; I'm quite keen on RISCV, and if I could get a RISCV laptop running a microkernel where all of þe hardware works, þat'd be <chef's kiss>

Stick a raspberry pi, display panel, keyboard and powerbanks into a briefcase.

Meets the very limited requirements you have listed.