ZaReason Ships Ubuntu 10.04 Systems
Each time Canonical ships a new Ubuntu release, I’m inclined to reach out to two specific PC companies: ZaReason and System76. Both companies focus intensely on Ubuntu netbooks, notebooks, PCs and servers. Here’s a look at ZaReason’s Ubuntu 10.04 strategy — according to CEO Cathy Malmrose and CTO Earl Malmrose (pictured).
The quick Q&A below is based on an email exchange I had with Cathy and Earl.I’ll be sure to follow-up with System76’s perspectives soon.
WorksWitnU: Any initial thoughts on how Ubuntu 10.04 will perform in the market?
ZaReason: We are over-the-top psyched about the 10.04 release. We have a good portion of customers who stick with LTS (Long Term Support) releases. 10.04 is light-years beyond 8.04 (the previous LTS) in every way. We are looking forward to the next two years being full of happy LTS customers.
WorksWithU: Will you start shipping on launch day?
ZaReason: Definitely. We track the pre-releases very carefully. There is really no reason to delay beyond launch day.
WorksWithU: How’s your server business going? Any trends worth noting?
ZaReason: Our servers are great, but we focus more the consumer market. We want to see one of our laptops in Costco someday. Ubuntu is solid enough that there really isn’t anything holding us back other than market share. There aren’t any technical limitations anymore.
WorksWithU: Do you think Ubuntu can still define a mobile internet device (MID) market, or is that the domain of iPad, Android, Chrome, etc.?
ZaReason: I’d keep an eye on MeeGo. They have some pretty serious backing in the form of Intel, Nokia, and Linux Foundation. We hope to see the fruits of that collaboration in the near future.
The Bigger Picture
Frequent WorksWithU readers know that I’m biased toward ZaReason and System76 in the Ubuntu market. Generally speaking, I find both companies responsive, professional and committed to customer quality. If you spot additional Ubuntu-centric PC makers and system builders in the market please alert me (joe [at] NineLivesMediaInc.com).
Does ZaReason plan to certify any of there systems via Canonical’s hardware certification program?
Do ZaReason’s customers care about that sort of vendor certification?
-jef
I think mostly large enterprise customers are likely to be interested in certification. What made me buy a system from them was that I wanted a vendor who was focused on Linux. What makes me likely to buy from them again in the future is that the system has worked well and the email support has been nothing short of phenomenal– quick responses to any questions, including ones like: how would you recommend I upgrade memory/hard disk/video card? They’ve helped me do upgrades from which they haven’t profited at all. Really great people.
Well done Zareason.
I don’t have much hope for a serious future for MeeGo if Intel and Nokia have sway. I have absolutely no evidence, just hunch a here. But I would like it too.
The email support is great even is your not really a customer recently I ask them a couple of questions regarding shipments outside US amp; they came back to me in less than 24 hours, I was totally surprise with that, I’m seriously considering buy from them in a near future.
Looking forward to see Ubuntu in much bigger roles. I have been using Ubuntu from some time now and have been really enjoying it.