Dell announces Moblin Mini 10v at IDF (updated with pricing)
By Nilay Patel 
posted Sep 23rd 2009 1:25PM
posted Sep 23rd 2009 1:25PM
Update: Dell tells us the Moblin Mini 10v will be $299 to start and available with the usual customization options, but that they're not really aiming it at consumers just yet -- the idea is to give Moblin developers best-of-class hardware to work on. That said, nothing's stopping you from snagging one tomorrow, since they won't be requiring proof that you're actually a dev. You sneaky Linux-loving dog, you.
"Canonical's Moblin Netbook Remix"
which I take it is different from what we find at moblin.org?
Yeah it's based on Ubuntu.
Heed! Move! Neow!
It has its own weather system.
It's a very brown version of what you find at Moblin.org...
Looks like WinMo azz got pounded once again. ;)
First Android now Moblin. ;)
First! :)
Cool, let's hope it is priced right!
App store coming soon I guess?
Remix songs are never better than the original.
Are you sure? R. Kelly's remix to Ignition was vastly better than the original.
I find the exact opposite to be true.
The Crookers Remix of Day N Nite?
Justice remix of Electric Feel?
Justice remix of We are your friends?
What about the Punks Jump Up remix of Miike Snow's Animal? Anyone with me/know what I'm talking about?
That montrously large bezel around the screen. Toally sexy.
Man i may not buy dell but i love the love they show to ubuntu. i wish all pc manufactures gave the consumer a choice of what os they want on their computer.
I'm pretty sure that Dell only offers a small subset of their PC lineup with a Linux option. If I recall correctly, they used to have the option available on almost all of their machines for a short time but it ended up confusing people so they dialed back their support significantly. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
Uhm, how about just some drivers for your current Mini lineup that work with Moblin?
Okay, here is the build they are using on that laptop. Install and you shall recieve. Ubuntu Moblin Remix: Dev Edition
http://linux.dell.com/files/ubuntu/moblin-remix/dev-edition-2.0/
Oh, and I found Ubuntu's daily 9.10 build of it as well.
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-moblin-remix/daily-live/current/
Meh, Moblin Remix looks like it sucks. It looks like V1 of Moblin, not V2 with the new UI.
YEs! Been waiting for Tegra to start selling... Its Tegra isn't it?
*edit: *sigh* don't think its Tegra
Moblin is by Intel for Intel kit, I doubt you will ever see it running on Tegra.
I believe that the first Tegra devices similar to this will be running Windows CE, with Android following shortly after.
I think the first Tegra netbook/smartbook/viewbook/whatever they are called now out may well be from Mobinova and I am also looking forward to their release ;)
It's an OS made by Intel for Atom-based (x86 architecture) computers. Tegra is ARM architecture, so you won't see any x86 OSs running on it.
Ohh thats right, I messed up on Moblin and Mobinova... Can't wait for those to show up!
There's nothing to stop Moblin running on ARM, it is just linux at the end of the day.
And there is a ubuntu ARM port, so all they would need to do is recompile the stuff for ARM
Am I missing something? Intel makes Moblin... Ubuntu makes Ubuntu Netbook Remix... And this is running Canonical Moblin Remix? I'm confused.
My word. Somethings messed up here.
You are confused. Canonical is working on Ubuntu, Google makes Moblin .. Intel makes the LPIA (Low Power on Intel Architecture)
I'm just as confused as your are...none of this makes any sense.
I guess i am confused. Intel *is* working on moblin. I thought that was a google project as well. /me corrects brain wrinkles.
ibm initially made moblin but decided to give it to the open sourced community. once it was open sourced ubuntu who finical backer is canonical took moblin and splice it with it's ubuntu code to make ubuntu remix. i'm guessing this thing is called canonical remix because engadget made a mistake or canonical want it's name to be more familiar with the public.
Confused about Moblin? By a Windows box, confusion over.
This moblin news is cool. Too many people are dependent on Windows these days, and with Dell moving away from that, common users will too.
I think Dell should start working with software on their own now too.. It's definitely bringing apple and google ahead. They should just fork a Linux OS and create their own.
I'm honestly not sure what kind of big change needs to happen for people to adopt Linux as a desktop OS at a mass market scale, but Dell selling Linux-equipped laptops sure as hell isn't it.
Game support and just some minor stability changes.
Was "Canonical's Moblin Netbook Remix" just an amusing typo/mistake, or is Intel now working with Canonical?
Run full-screen flash or go home.
Try again Intel & DELL.
Here's a blog post from our Linux team's John Hull along with a video demo from our OS guru Doug Anson: http://bit.ly/zKfRj
Perhaps this will clear up some confusion.
http://www.ubuntu.com/news/canoical-commits-ubuntu-moblin
@dingletec: it's not a typo... Canonical partnered with Intel and with us to make this happen. Will be available for order on Dell.com by tomorrow.
Thanks,
@LionelatDell
You want the solution to the problem? The real problem. Adobe needs to develop a simple cheap flash accelerator chip.
Why can't that chip just be a standard GPU? You know, like the kind that everything else in the world uses for hardware acceleration.
Too true man.
Basically what I'm saying it. I blame Adobe.
Accelerate your crap adobe!
I thought you were on to something there, but no.
Being that moblin is still in beta, couldn't this do more harm than good? People might buy this to save a few bucks only to get a bitter taste of linux from a distro that isn't ready for production. How about waiting until it's ready before loading it onto machines. I think anyone interested in developing for moblin has the skills to install it themselves.
Too bad it's a Dell. The Mini 10 has an abominable touchpad and 'buttons.' Dell equipment looks good on paper but quality is poor and ergonomics are even worse. Moblin deserves better.
Still rather install OSX86 on a 10v.
@awholeian: I see your point, but we're offering the beta as a Developer Edition. It's meant for developers who are working on OS, app and driver code for Moblin.
We'll still sell the same optimized Ubuntu version (or XP) to mainstream Mini 10v customers.
Thanks,
@LionelatDell
@LionelatDell: I applaud you (and Dell) making an appearance on this thread. Are you just a brave Engadget reader who happens to be involved with this story or is there something more formal at play?
I hope there is a trend developing towards more manufacturer participation in these types of forums - it seems like there would be more likelihood of useful conversation.
Pete J
@ gage006 -
Came for the ' installing OSX on a Dell Mini 10v ' reference..
Leaving satisfied.
Even better when you can get a moblin equipped one and save the microsoft tax.
I'm running Jolicloud, which is super-similar to Moblin's v2 release (not what you see above). I gotta say, these super-buttery-good-looking cloud computing distros sitting on a stable Ubuntu base are pretty frakkin' awesome. I used to dislike Linux, but Jolicloud has breathed life back into my old Pentium M laptop in a way Windows 7/XP can't. Oh, and the fact that I didn't have to screw with drivers at all, even though I have discrete and obscure (Radeon x300) graphics is pretty impressive. BTW Moblin v2 requires Intel IGP - lame.
Dell should make an 11.6" notebook.
Here in Italy 300$ is the right price to let a good netbook neutrality.
Using Mobling on an Ubuntu is the best intelligent way to do thinks due to rock solid Debian based system plus the value added Clutter side of the UI glued by Intel...
I expect something very similar with maemo in the future.
I've been playing around with Moblin for a few hours now. Boots in around 20 seconds. That is from pressing the power button!! Sheesh! 0-20 for an active desktop.
The interface is interesting. It's new. I have my likes and dislikes.
Main dislike right now is the loss of some kind of task bar. Sure the zones are cool, but I hate switching around and placing windows just right so I can multi task with even a few windows. I've seen some interesting mods on YouTube though (A 3D Cube Moblin? It exists!). They should have a shelf by the 'Zones' item so I can select an open window that is on the same zone.
The interface is a bit chunky. I like it, but I dislike it too. It has kind of nice but when I opened Open Office (I got it installed) the big scroll bars are a bit too big. Of course, it is linux so after a while it is just user preference.
One last gripe, I cannot seem to maximize my windows. This would be nice to have. There are a few more gripes but I respect it's beta ness.
What I like about it. A lot actually. The boot for starters. I like that I can turn a computer on and off in under a minute.
It fits my Netbook like a glove. Totally social network worthy. The status item can be added too, but it works with Twitter, and I am 100% certain Facebook is coming int he future. I am asking for a WordPress section.
The GUI Style. The chunkyness is actually coolness.
I've heard gripes about the web browser, but I am liking it.
If you have a Netbook I think Moblin is going to be THE OS for you.