System 76 intros Ubuntu-based notebook
updated 10:25 am EST, Mon February 5, 2007
System 76 Ubuntu Notebook
Departing from the mainstream, System 76 has just unveiled the Darter Ultra preloaded with Ubuntu Linux. The company hopes to bring the same level of support to hardware running the open-source OS that owners would expect with Windows systems, and has ensured that the 13.3-inch widescreen notebook is set with drivers for every aspect of its design. The system ships with a 4-in-1 card reader, ExpressCard/54 slot, and video outputs for both S-video and VGA; the Intel-based mainboard's 802.11/a/b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 7.1-channel audio also work on first boot. Battery life is also excepptionally strong, according to the company. A standard battery will last an average 4.5 hours, but an extended battery doubles the running time to a full 9 hours.
Models can be ordered today at $995 with a 1.46GHz Celeron M, 512MB of RAM, 40GB hard disk, and a dual-layer DVD rewriter. A fully-equipped system with a 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo, 1.5GB of RAM, and a 100GB hard disk is available for $1,902. [via Core Duo News]
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Joined: Mar 2000
a little dear...
so it runs an OS they don't have to pay to develop and if you spec it out like a white MacBook 2.0 GHZ (Core 2 Duo 2 GHZ, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB 5,400 RPM drive) it costs over a $100 more... hmm. and i can run Ubuntu on the Mac. which is thinner, weighs less and has (admittedly for $1.99)802.11 N support in addition to the other frequencies the Darter has.
ok, 3 years of service is cheaper by $50. thats the only "deal" i see here...