Linux Netbooks Are Returned 4X More Than Win XP Versions, Says MSI

For some reason, I believe there is someone out there screaming "I TOLD YOU SO!" According to the article, it seems the main reason people are returning these is that they get the machine, realize it's not XP, then realize they have no idea what they're doing or how to use it.

$300 is a good deal for a small compact netbook. But if you can't use it due to your lack of Linux skills, maybe the $400 XP option is better.

Computex the Venue to See Ubuntu Netbook Remix

Gizmodo's site has an article detailing some good information on the upcoming Ubuntu Netbook Remix flavor of the Linux OS. The screenshot looks pretty sweet and light.

Here is another link for the OS with information and instructions.

Ubuntu: Netbook Remix

According to an article posted on Gizmodo, Ubuntu will be getting a smaller and more targeted version of itself soon.

This new version is designed to compete in the UMPC OS market. With the likes of gOS, and "Sugar", Netbook Remix, will be designed for small ultra portable devices and laptops.

Does this mean there may be a Linux distro in the works to compete with the likes of Palm and Blackberry?

Bestlink Alpha 400, The $250 "Eee"

Yup, theres another UMPC in the ol' Eee rat race. This one has low specs and an even lower price...$250! That's not too bad. The question is can you upgrade the pitiful 128MB RAM? That's' interesting...

Gizmodo Link

Fedora 9 To Be Released In May

It looks like the original release date has been moved back a bit. Fedora 9 will now be released on May 13th.

Happy downloading!



Fedora 9 Link.

Ubuntu 8.04 Released!

Hardy Heron is out and about for all you Linux peeps out there.

Download it here.

Zonbu Laptop: Good deal on Linux Laptop and Mini Desktop

As I was researching information on my Asus Eee pricing post , I came across an ad for Zonbu. I at first believed it to be another Linux distro...then I saw the add above.

$279 for a Linux laptop similar to the Asus Eee for that cheap! Whats the catch I said.

I am not sure if it is a catch, but the site keeps referring to a "no hassle maintenance package" of sorts.

The package includes back ups, updates, support, etc. for $15 / month. I hope it is not a requirement, that would definitely add to the overall cost of this thing.

Specs:

Zonbu Notebook is a 15.4" widescreen laptop with all the bells and whistles:
Processor: 1.5GHz, VIA C7-M Intel-compatible, low energy use
Display: 15.4" WXGA Widescreen (1440 x 900) and VGA output
Memory: 512MB
Hard Disk local storage: 60GB (58GB for your data)
Optical Drive: DVD-ROM/CD-RW
Graphics: VIA Chrome9 HC IGP (64MB shared memory, 128MB maximum)
Audio: built-in speaker, microphone and headphone ports
3 USB 2.0 ports
Ethernet: 10/100 Mbps built-in - broadband ready
Wifi: Built-in 802.11b/g
Power Supply: 65W AC-DC Adapter, 15W average power usage
Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 2h30 to 3h, depending on usage
Measurements: 14.1" x 10.7" x 1.5" (35.8cm x 27.2cm x 3.8cm)
Weight: 5.3lbs (2.4kg) )

The OS is not given a name, I assume it is proprietary to the Zonbu family of PC's.

They also offer a mini desktop for $99. Below are the specs on it.

Good things come in small boxes
Zonbu Desktop is a compact, ultra low power mini with all the bells and whistles:
Processor: 1.2GHz, VIA C7 ULV Intel-compatible, ultra-low energy use
Memory: 512 MB
Compact Flash local storage: 4GB
Graphics: VIA CX700M2 UniChrome PRO II, VGA output, supports up to 2048 x 1536 (16 million colors, 75 Hz)
Audio: built-in speaker, microphone and headphone ports
PC-compatible ports for keyboard and mouse
6 USB 2.0 ports
Ethernet: 10/100 Mbps built-in - broadband ready
Wifi: built-in 802.11b/g available as an option
Power Supply: 20 Watt AC-DC Adapter
Measurements: 4.875" x 2.175" x 6.675" or (124mm x 56mm x 170mm)
Weight: 2.1lbs (0.97kg)

Asus Eee 4GB Model Available at Best Buy: Linux and XP Versions Same Price?

Although anyone who reads this blog knows how much I love the Asus Eee, even though I don't have one...yet, I am a little worried about the price comparison between Linux models and Windows XP models.

They have the exact same price...$399!

While that is good for consumers getting Windows XP Home for $399, it begs the question; why isn't the Linux version cheaper? After all isn't Linux a free and open-source OS? I am thinking it should a bit cheaper...say $299 - $349? Maybe the version of Windows XP Home isn't the same as you would get on a traditional laptop. Maybe it is not as good as the Linux version.

I looked at the specs on line and they are exactly the same (except for the MPEG capability, which may be based on the Windows XP OS.)

Asus Eee Linux Specs via Best Buy Link.

Asus Eee Windows XP Specs via Best Buy Link.

I am not saying that Windows on the Eee is a bad thing, far from it. I just think that the Linux version should be a bit cheaper. After all, isn't part of the cost of the system, the OS?

FYI: PriceGrabber.com found what appears to be the Linux version at various places for $350.

Here is the link.

UPDATE: The model is only an 800 MHz machine. But at Amazon.com's site, you can the 800 MHz machine with a 2GB RAM upgrade for $389!

Asus EEE 900 Gets 20GB Linux version, Some Launch Dates

It looks like there is some more data coming out on the next Asus Eee 900 PC. It keeps getting better and better...bigger and bigger.

Although it is exciting to see all of the various models and their specs, one has to wonder...are they just trying to get to full laptop status and price? They do make standard laptops and desktops.

The official Asus website does not have this information. It looks like it hasn't been updated in a awhile either.

Here is the article link.


Specifications
Display: 8.9" Display, 1024 x 600 resolution
Color: Pearl White, Black
CPU: Intel® Mobile CPU
Processor: Intel Mobile Chipset
Memory: DDR II 1GB
Display Card: Intel UMA
Storage: 12GB (4GB built-in + 8GB flash) SSD (Microsoft Windows OS Version)20GB (4GB built-in +16GB flash) SSD (Linux OS Version)
Audio: HD audio / built-in speakers
Wireless: Built-in 802.11b/g
Camera: 1.3M Pixel webcam
Storage Cards: SD / MMC (SDHC)
Input / Output: 3xUSB / VGA-out (D-Sub, 15pin) / earphone jack / mic / RJ45 10/100 MbpsPower: Output: 12V, 36W;
Input: 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz universal
Tracking Control: Utilizes FingerGlideOperating System: Windows XP Home / LinuxDimensions: 22.5cm(W) x 17.0cm(D) x 2cm~3.38cm(H)Weight: 0.99 kg

gOS Boot Failed

Yesterday, in an attempt to widen my understanding and knowledge of new Linux distros, I created an ISO image of gOS "Space" 2.9.

No problems getting the image.
No problems creating the ISO image disk.

Reboot PC to run live CD....BOOT FAIL

Has anyone else seen this error? I haven't delved very deep into the chasms of the online support documentation for gOS, but from what I have seen, there isn't much there.

I may try another one of there distros this week...maybe.

Foresight Linux

Foresight Linux is another flav of Linux designed for the UMPC and cheap PC market and geared towards a simple and intuitive user experience.

It will come pre-installed on the KPC Shuttle. You can download it via the Internet (and here.)

It is amazing to me the trend of using Linux, a typically non-intuitive OS, to better the experience of the average PC user. Is Microsoft doing that bad of a job or are they missing the market by overloading PC's with junk and worthless software?

I am sure this is not the last "user friendly" linux distro we'll see.

Shuttle PC by KPC - Another Internet PC!

It seems that everyone is getting on the "Internet PC" bandwagon these days.

This is the Shuttle PC from KPC. It retails at $99 and is geared towards users wanting an Internet box. I remember when this happened a few years back. Remember AOL TV and MSN TV? Internet boxes that plugged into the phone jack and you "surfed" the web via your TV?

These are a bit better being as you can save pics and files to your machine (you couldn't on AOL TV or MSN TV.) The price is not bad, even if there is no monitor in the deal.

I enjoy the idea that someone can use a box like this for simple tasks (i.e., the Internet) but the OS, usually Linux based, can be hard to "fix" if needed. Not everyone can use Linux as a main OS and not everyone can repair it if needed. Just my opinion.

Here are the specs:

OPERATING SYSTEM
Foresight Linux

PROCESSOR
Intel® Celeron® (basic version)Intel® Pentium® dual-core (upgrade version)

MEMORY
512MB (basic version)1GB (upgrade version)Supports up to 2GB

CHIPSET
North Bridge: Intel 945GC South Bridge: ICH7

GRAPHICS
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950(1) VGA Output

AUDIO
5.1 Channel High Definition Audio

INTERNET
10MB/s,100MB/s,1GB/s

STORAGE
80GB Hard Drive

POWER
100W PSU

BACK PANEL
(1) PCI slot(1) PS/2 keyboard(1) PS/2 Mouse(1) Gigabit LAN port(1) Serial port(1) D-sub port(4) USB 2.0 ports(1) Front out connector(1) Rear Surround out connector(1) Center / Bass connector(1) Printer port (1) Wireless port perforation

DIMENSIONS
11(L)x7.5(W)x6.7(H) Inch

WARRANTY
1 Year Limited Hardware Warranty

Gizmodo review.

gOS: A different kind of OS

For those of you out there who enjoy the open source ride, while not needing to know in depth Linux commands, gOS may be right up your alley.

The gOS, which either stands for 'green OS' or 'Google OS', is a user friendly Linux distro designed to be used on UMPCs and cheaper computers. It comes in three flavors: Space, Rocket G and Rocket E.

I am not sure what the difference between the distros is, but I am assuming it is mainly cosmetic. The "Space" version seems to be designed with MySpace users in mind.

The OS is free for download and can be used as a Live CD / DVD once burned to media. I am trying to download the Space version, I will write a review if and when I can!

gOS site link

TigerDirect.com has Asus Eee 2G for $299

So I seem to have a thing for the Asus Eee PC...I found this deal while scouring for good deals on laptops.

This seems to be the best deal in town...for now. It is only the 2G model, but for $299, that is a good deal for someone not wanting to invest serious capital in a technology venture.

Here is the link.

They also have the 4G model for $350. Below are the specs for the 2G model.


Condition:
New
Operating Systems:
LINUX
Platform:
Notebook PC
Expansion Ports:
N/A
PS/2 Keyboard Connectors:
N/A
PS/2 Mouse Connectors:
N/A
Serial Communication Ports:
N/A
Parallel Ports:
N/A
USB Ports:
3
FireWire Ports:
N/A
Fast Infrared Ports (FIR):
N/A
LAN Ports:
1
Modem Ports:
N/A
Audio Out Jacks:
1
Line In Jacks:
N/A
Microphone Jacks:
1
VGA Ports:
1
S-Video Connectors:
N/A
DVI Video:
N/A
Port Replicator/Connector:
N/A
Processor Brand:
Intel
Processor Class:
Mobile CPU
Memory Type:
DDR2
Memory Size:
512MB
Memory Speed:
N/A
Memory Slots (Total):
N/A
Memory Slots (Available):
N/A
Maximum Memory Supported:
N/A
Capacity:
2GB Solid State Drive (SSD)

Fedora 9 is on It's Way!

According to the Fedora Wiki, Fedora 9 will be released on the 29th of April. This is big news for Linux fans, especially those of you who love Fedora.

I have not used Fedora since Fedora 5 was out, so I am a little behind the learning curve for what's new in Fedora releases.

Here is the link for the Fedora release schedule.