System76 Launches Ubuntu 9.04 Netbook
Less than one week after Canonical debuted Ubuntu 9.04 Netbook Remix edition, System76 is playing an encure by launching an Ubuntu 9.04 netbook. The move had been rumored for several weeks. And it’s certainly the first of many Ubuntu netbooks that will hit the market. Here’s a bit more about System76’s new device.
Known as the Starling NetBook, the System76 device features Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.04, a 10.1″ LED Widescreen LCD, 1 GB of memory, a 160 GB hard drive, WiFi, a webcam, a 6 cell battery, and a nearly full size keyboard in a 2.6 lb. package, according to System76 President Carl Richell. Default pricing for the system — when I checked System76’s site a few minutes ago — was (US)$359.00.
Now, I must concede: Many netbooks have disappointed me. We’ve got one of the older Asus Eee PCs at home, and I found the keyboard far too small for regular typing. Also, I found pointing and clicking difficult/clumsy. More recently, I tried to get my hands on a Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook, but a holiday pricing special for the system wasn’t working quite right when I tried to order the system.
So I have to admit: System76 has me intrigued. I had good experience recently testing System76’s Pangolin Performance laptop. And Ubuntu users seem to like System76’s products: The company’s revenues (from Ubuntu-oriented systems, of course) grew 61 percent in 1Q 2009 vs. 1Q 2008.
But will System76 deliver another hit with its new Starling NetBook? And are netbooks really a product category that will stick around? I do think small, low-cost notebooks will continue to proliferate the market. I just hope System76 and peer Ubuntu system makers don’t sacrifice quality as they strive to build even lower-cost systems.
If you test the Starling Netbook please let me know. I’d welcome your perspectives.
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This is very interesting to see. Watching a dedicated linux OEM, regardless of its choice of distribution, grow into new markets is a great thing to see.
A couple of questions however that you should follow up on with system76 when you get the chance. Is the technical support contracts available for purchase technical support from system76 internally or are they backed by Canonical support services in some way? Do technical issues escalate to Canonical if system76 can’t solve them?
Other question, does Starling require proprietary drivers for any of the included hardware? The product page doesn’t going into enough detail about chipsets for the wevcam or the wifi.
It has the intel 950 graphics chip… is that affected by the intel driver problems in Jaunty?
http://www.geekosophical.net/?p=263
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Troubleshooting/IntelPerformance
Developers are working on addressing the performance issues, but it would be good to double check with System76 and get a firm statement about their internal testing and whether they have applied their own downstream fixes by using an out of release kernel from a system76 specific repository.
-jef
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Where can I buy one from in the UK?
Hey Matt: I will get an answer for you from System76.
What I like from netbooks is mostly portability and the use of SSD for fast bootup. I think 10 inch is a bit too large, and a hard-drive a bit inconvenient. The perfect netbook for me has a 9 inch display
Now if we can just get one with a real Linux OS on it we’ll be doing great. Once again, only 1 choice, Ubuntu. Can’t have your netbook your way, just the ubuntu way. Might as well be microsoft because either way I’m going to have to wipe the hardrive.
@Name
What do you expect from a small company dedicated to Ubuntu? To have an army of engineers to cater for every taste?
I’m glad System76 is doing well and I wish them the best of luck.
Looks like a pretty sweet deal. Partially because you know that all of it will work; webcam, wireless, etc. That was one of the appeals to the Dell Mini 9.
Unlike the Dell Mini 9 though, this keyboard looks a lot more “normal” with larger keys and the 10″ screen is a pretty nice size for portability.
I hope they include an SSD option soon.
Either way, it is great to see and hear a company that is making money selling Linux installed.
Dragonbite: Just one small point of clarification. You mentioned that it’s “great to see and hear a company that is making money selling Linux installed.”
I just want to caution readers that I never said System76 is making money or profitable. Q1 sales grew an impressive 61 percent, but sales aren’t profits. And as a privately held company, System76 doesn’t have to disclose its profit information.
All that said, I’m always pleased to hear from System76, ZaReason and other PC makers that are innovating around Ubuntu. And generally speaking, customers certainly seem to like the systems.
I am in the market for a new PC and went to check out the specs for this netbook at System76. I will add it to my list of other netbooks for comparison shopping. I am still leaning to the Dell Mini 10″. From what I can see I get a faster / better processor, and a better camera. I don’t know what the difference is between the Atom N270 vs. the Atom Z520 or the Atom Z530.
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I would love to buy from System76. But they don’t sell to UK customers yet.
[...] System76 Launches Ubuntu 9.04 Netbook So I have to admit: System76 has me intrigued. I had good experience recently testing System76’s Pangolin Performance laptop. And Ubuntu users seem to like System76’s products: The company’s revenues (from Ubuntu-oriented systems, of course) grew 61 percent in 1Q 2009 vs. 1Q 2008. [...]
Thanks for the review, Joe.
If you’re interested, here’s my review of my Pangolin laptop from System76, which I’ve had for about a month. The review is extremely non-technical.
http://jasoncrane.org/2009/04/28/review-pangolin-performance-laptop-from-system76/
All the best,
Jason
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Jason: I wouldn’t consider my blog entry a “review.” It’s more of a “heads up” or “reader alert.” I haven’t tested the system. Thanks for telling readers about the Pangolin review you wrote. I will give that a read.
Good point, Joe. Thanks for the clarification.
All the best,
Jason
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Let me just clarify my previous post: _I_ personally prefer netbooks to be like a described, but I believe this is a very nice overall little computer, that should appeal a more general public. Kudos to System 76!
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Has anyone seen a review for this netbook? This netbook seems ideal for me, but i have no idea how it compares to other netbooks on the market.
Unfortunately, it’s still not available in the UK.
I recently bought a System76 Starling netbook. Here is my review: http://tinyurl.com/lkexet