Acer Pushing Linux on Laptops
June 5, 2008
Acer is going to be pushing Linux “aggressively” on its laptop offerings. Earlier this week at Computex, they announced the 8.9-inch Acer Aspire One which apparently is the beginning of an effort to sell laptops with Linux (although the Aspire One fits more into the netbook category). They are doing so for financial reasons, given that licensing fees become a larger part of the price when it comes to lower-cost devices such as the Aspire One (which will start at $379 USD).
Vnunet is reporting on comments made by a couple of executives from Acer in regards to Linux versus Microsoft Windows on laptops:
Acer sees two killer apps with Linux on computers: operation and cost. Its flavour of Linux will boot in 15 seconds compared to minutes for Windows, and the open source operating system can extend battery life from five to seven hours.
At the same time, the company expects that the price differential of Linux will make the offering attractive for consumers at the low-cost end of the market.
Ubuntu Netbook Remix - Hands On (Ars Technica)
June 4, 2008
Yesterday at Computex, Canonical announced a new Linux distribution based on Ubuntu Linux, built especially for small-screened netbooks.
It’s a very important move for the netbook / sub-notebook market. Between Intel and VIA supporting this market on the hardware side, now you have Canonical/Ubuntu working towards applications optimized for the 7-inch to 10-inch devices (and lest we forget - Microsoft is even extending the life of Windows XP for these devices).
It’s being referred to as Ubuntu Netbook Remix and, in Canonical’s own words:
a reworked desktop image of Ubuntu built specifically for a new category of portable Internet-centric devices – netbooks. These affordable, power-efficient, small screen devices, based on the ground breaking low-power micro-architecture of the Intel® Atom™ processor, and Ubuntu allow consumers to enjoy email, instant messaging, Internet surfing and on-line access to photos, videos or music with an affordable, reliable device…..Canonical is also working with ISVs to ensure that popular desktop applications are certified on Ubuntu, and will run on the Ubuntu Netbook Remix.
Ars Technica put together a hands-on preview of Ubuntu Netbook Remix and took a look at the launcher as well as the application switcher/manager (both very important given the limited screen size of these devices.
They point out that Intel and Ubuntu worked together to optimize the distribution for Intel’s Atom CPUs:
“At Intel, we see netbooks as an opportunity to expand basic Internet usage throughout the world through simple and affordable devices for consumers,” said Intel software and solutions group vice president Doug Fisher in a statement. “The combination of Ubuntu Netbook Remix with Moblin technologies optimized for the Intel Atom processor will deliver a good Internet and media experience on Intel-based netbooks.”
Read:
- Ars Technica
- Ubuntu Announcement
- Official Site at Launchpad.net
- Moblin Website
HP 2133 Mini-Note Review (TrustedReviews)
May 22, 2008
Andy Vandervell, of TrustedReviews, has posted a new review of the Linux powered version of the 8.9-inch HP 2133 Mini-Note, giving it a 7 out of 10. This version of the 2133 retails for between $500 and $600 USD (some places are changing the price almost weekly depending on supply).
A lot of people mention the HP 2133 Mini-Note as almost feeling like something Apple designed, and Andy commented on this, saying If the Eee PC borrows the MacBook’s iconic white finish, the Mini-Note PC feels far more like a product produced by the house that Steve Jobs built.
The biggest difference between this version of HP’s sub-notebook and the more expensive versions is the CPU, a 1.2GHz VIA CPU that Andy felt was underpowered when it came to video playback.
Read: TrustedReviews
Triple Booting the Fujitsu U810
May 21, 2008
Well, somebody has managed to install and triple boot three very different operating systems on their 5.6-inch convertible Fujitsu LifeBook U810 (which is being replaced later this year by the Fujitsu LifeBook U2010).
Yes, three separate operating systems:
- Microsoft Windows Vista
- Linux (Ubuntu)
- Mac OS X
They mention getting the touchscreen working wit Linux (as well as Mac OS X) as well as issues such as wireless drivers.
They’ve also posted a video of the U810 in action.
Read: GottaBeMobile Forums
Video: YouTube
Upgraded Software, iTunes on Eee PC 900
May 19, 2008
jkkmobile has news of updated software and drivers for the Microsoft Windows XP versions of the 8.9-inch Eee PC 900.
You can download the updated Windows XP Software and drivers here: Support.ASUS.com.
Joanna Stern over at the LAPTOP Magazine blog (she has to be the resident expert on netbooks at LAPTOP Magazine) has written up an article on installing and running iTunes under Wine on a Linux-powered Eee PC 900, includng a step-by-step tutorial and her experiences.
Finally, if you are handy with a soldering iron and want to do a radical upgrade on your original 7-inch Eee PC 4G, well, this might be for you: Eee-PC.de (translated) has a tutorial on upgrading the 4GB Solid State Drive (SSD) to a 16GB SSD. Included are benchmarks. Needless to say, this voids the warranty in a matter of seconds.
Chasing the $100 Laptop
May 5, 2008
The Christian Science Monitor has a three page article “More computer brands chase the ‘$100 laptop’ ” that looks into all of the uses that can be found for the netbooks/sub-notebooks, the ultraportable ultra-cheap devices that are rapidly dropping in price while rising in features and popularity.
They point out one of the problems with the segment in general:
The market segment is so new it doesn’t have a name yet or even an agreed-upon set of specifications. Intel, the chipmaker, calls the category “netbooks,” recognizing that much of what people do on their laptops involves going on the Net. The new machines are also being called ultra-low-cost PCs, mininotebooks, or even mobile Internet gadgets.
It’s an interesting article - while all of the technophiles (myself included) are looking for faster performance, more functionality, etc., they look at where these will potentially have the biggest impact:
“I really think the unknown dynamic is what happens when these $200 to $300 netbooks are unleashed in India and China and Indonesia,” said Paul Otellini, president and CEO of Intel…
Read: CSMonitor.com
