I have 2 and the label gives a Clevo#. This number was useful when used to buy spare parts when my fan went . As a consumer we can't buy a machine from Clevo, only resellers can. I mean Clevo makes what system76 wants and there is no doubt that there is some back and forth. Its not like system76 machines are really unique in terms of laptops. (though they have Mat screens which is great)

but my work machine according to the label is a NL50NU. If you google search, you'll see some other makers selling a similar machine (same model# but some have a different suffix.). Its a solid machine, great for developing on.

I think system76s value proposition is they'll sell you a laptop and it will work with Linux out of the box without being a linux expert. No issues setting up wifi drivers, the machines with NVidia graphic will work, and the sound will work. They provide updates (very frequently..) and a repo of applications that work. Sleep and wake usually work..

I'm not sure what the cost differential between a barebones Clevo machine is but over the course of 4 years, not having to have to think about OS stability is worth money to me. For a desktop its a little different as that hardware is much better supported.