Ubuntu coming to low-power, ARM-based computers

Thanks to a newly announced partnership between chipmaker ARM and commercial Ubuntu sponsor Canonical, Ubuntu Desktop, a Linux-based operating system, will come to low-power ARMv7-based System-on-Chip (SoC) processors commonly used in portable electronic devices. ARM announced the co-operative effort on Thursday, which will enable small computer devices to bring with them integrated graphics processing while using up as little power as possible. The operating system will be optimized by Canonical for specific applications and OEM requirements put forth by device manufacturers.

The rapidly growing MID and sub-netbook market is driving the two companies to develop the Ubuntu-based chips, with the aim to provide buyers with a larger selection of Internet-connected, ultra-portable devices. The Ubuntu Desktop operating system will be integrated into systems with the ARM Cortex-A8 and Cortex-A9 processors set on ARMv7 mainboards.

The companies say that the Ubuntu ARM desktops and netbooks will begin shipping in April of 2009.

Filed under: computers, gadgets
Other story tags: Linux, ARM, Ubuntu, Canonical