System76 Launches Biometric Ubuntu Linux Laptop
As big PC companies like Hewlett-Packard finally push into desktop Linux, WorksWithU will give equal time to the industry pioneers that evangelized desktop Linux before it went mainstream. A case in point: System76 continued its long-term Linux commitment today by launching the Gazelle Ultra (pictured) — an Ubuntu laptop with some pretty slick hardware specs and a biometric fingerprint reader for security.
Equally important, as the photo proves: The Gazelle Ultra is strongly branded around Ubuntu. According to System76 President Carl Richell, the Gazelle Ultra (starting at $899) features:
- 13.3” LED Backlit Display (1280×800)
- Brushed Aluminum Palm Rest
- Latest Intel CPU’s
- Intel X4500HD Graphics
- Webcam
- Fingerprint Reader
- 4.4 lbs.
I haven’t gotten my hands on the Gazelle Ultra, but WorksWithU is testing System76’s Pangolin Performance laptop, and we recently completed tests on ZaReason’s Breeze desktop. Watch for product reviews to debut on WorksWithU very shortly.
WorksWithU is updated multiple times per week. Don’t miss a single post. Sign up for our RSS and Twitter feeds (available now) and newsletter (launching January 2009).
Seems a bit too expensive for the screen size, no mention of chip size. Ubuntu has been left in the dust by openSuse, and Fedora.
Yawn!
A little pricey for a Linux system. Kills the value given that the OS is completely free.
Gotta agree here on the “expensive, pricey” comments. I like System76, but you can get a good “Dellbuntu” laptop for considerably less.
Wow, this looks amazing!! I want one!
People who buy Macs pay for good hardware, good design, and good integration of the OS with every hardware component.
It seems to me like that is what System76 have done with this laptop.
Linux, I think, should not just be for the low-end market. In order to compete with Apple especially, (and I do think that competing with Apple is important – in my opinion, Apple poses a far bigger threat to software freedom than M$), we need to start seeing more machines like this one.
Any idea whether this will be available in Europe?
Nice and sleek and no i dont think its pricey for that specs even when i configured it with a bluetooth module and 320gb hard drive it was about $1060 which is cheaper than my dellbuntu xps m1330 with the same config went for $1140. i would have gotten this machine instead of the dell if i had seen it. it feels more buntu than my dell which came preinstalled with ubuntu, it has a window logo is the super key instead of an ubuntu logo. dell treat ubuntu users has second class to window users. my dell is just $50 cheaper than the vista version and doesnt come with the remote control (which works with ubuntu) if am getting a new laptop it would be a system 76.
Looks quite fine to me. I won’t be needing one though – still waiting on my MID!
“Ubuntu has been left in the dust by openSuse, and Fedora.”
Thanks for the morning laugh!
Please start shipping this to europe! I want one!
For those of you requesting support in Europe, I will check in with System76 to determine if they have international plans.
Its too expensive! Loaded on white book from Clevo/Sager “Sager NP7350”.
“Thanks for the morning laugh!”
No. Don’t laugh. I bought a System76 Pangolin with Ubuntu 8.04 on it. I liked Ubuntu, but I had USB (flash disk) troubles. I slapped Fedora 9 on it, and MY USB WORKED PERFECTLY! In addition, Fedora 9 is very polished. You still have to load the proprietary bits by yourself, but that’s not a big deal. However, save for the USB issues that I had on Ubuntu, I’d say that Fedora 9 and Ubuntu are comparable in terms of polish and user experience, with the edge in security going to Fedora. Remember, both use GNOME. The differences in desktops are small.
…maybe you guys should post your comments on http://www.workswithf.com instead…
Almost three years ago I bought a system76 Pangolin. It was about the cost of a good Windows laptop at the time. But the hardware was better than that level of a windows machine. I am still using that machine. The only trouble I have had is that now it is time to change out the battery. Not unusual in a three year old machine.They make excellent computers and offer top rate support for them. If you want a good computer built with Linux in mind and do not want to build it yourself system76 is an excellent company to buy from.If you do not like Ubuntu it is easy to change out the operating system to another Linux distro. I build my desktops myself but in about a year when I am ready to give this laptop to my grandson I will buy another system76 laptop for myself.
Now that’s a good looking system!
The “cheaper” systems others mentioned have Vista installed and will barely work. Not to mention they are basically stripped down systems. The price of the System76 systems are fair when you consider the package as a whole. Go into Best Buy and buy a new laptop and you’ll get charged a hefty price for extra RAM along with a service fee to install it.
Dell fixed the biometric finger print reader problem a while back. I think they first made the finger print readers work in 7.10.
Got one….not ok, got the disk problems when I got it, then config probs…now after one year…battery dead.
Love Ubuntu, never ever will I get a System76 ever again.
GG: Have you been in touch with System76? Generally speaking, The VAR Guy has found them to be very responsive…
-TVG