MaverickMeerkat
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Eee PC 1215P 12-incher spotted with mammalian Ubuntu
Looks like Asus might be expanding its range of Linux-based netbooks for our delectation. In addition to the Meego and Ubuntu 10-inch models we've already seen, an Italian retailer is pushing a new 12-incher on pre-order that hasn't yet crossed our path. The 1215P sports a 1.5GHz Intel N570 Atom dual-core processor and 2GB of memory for 280 Euros ($400). Judging from a certification page for the 1215P at Ubuntu.com, there's a strong chance it'll come with 10.10 Maverick Meerkat pre-installed, which happens to be one of our favorite animals. Sure, meerkats sometimes kill each others' offspring, but they're way friendlier than narwhals. [Thanks, Marco]
System 76 brings Sandy Bridge to Ubuntu with Gazelle and Serval laptops
System 76 has been doing open source right for quite some time now, and it's just unleashed what it claims is the "most powerfull Ubuntu laptop in the world" -- so powerful it needs that extra L. It's the Serval Professional, offering your choice of Intel Core i7 processors ranging from the 2GHz 2630QM to the 2.5GHz 2920XM. Graphics are handled by a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 485M GPU that pumps 1080p worth of pixel dust to a 15.6-inch, LED-backlit display. Prices for that machine start at $1,379 but you're only a few mouse clicks away from three times that. On the slightly lower-end scale is the Gazelle Professional, with a more limited range of processors and graphics options, but the same 15.6-inch display and a price that starts at $1,239. Both come with any operating system you like -- so long as it's Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat. %Gallery-115027%
Ubuntu 10.10's multitouch Unity UI demoed on Dell, makes multitasking look easy (video)
Want to see how multitouch works in Maverick Meerkat's Unity UI, but don't have a convertible tablet PC? You're in luck today, as Ubuntu Developers put together a handy-dandy video of the Ubuntu 10.10 interface running on their very own Dell Latitude XT2's dual-digitizer touchscreen. As you'd expect, the $2,400 convertible does a bang-up job as a tablet PC, playing Flash video and OpenGL games with ease, but the uTouch gestures appear to contribute to the overall experience by making window management a relative breeze. But in the immortal words of LeVar Burton, you don't have to take our word for it -- see for yourself right after the break, while we pray for Canonical to reconsider its stance on a dedicated tablet version of Ubuntu.
Ubuntu 10.10 'Maverick Meerkat' officially released: get your cloud storage, paid apps and Unity UI now
On the tenth day of the tenth month in the tenth year (read: today) Ubuntu Linux has hit its 10.10 revision, though it's mostly more of the same. The new Unity desktop interface makes cramped netbook screens more organized, software purchase support might legitimize Ubuntu as an app platform, Ubuntu One brings a free 2GB of Dropbox-like cloud storage to automatically synchronize files and folders, and streams music to Android and iPhone devices too... for a price. There's also full multitouch support, if you've got the hardware. "There's never been a better time to try Ubuntu," the open-source community cries, and they're probably right -- early reviewers claim this Maverick Meerkat build is one of the best they've tried. Find the 700MB downloads at our source link, or in torrent trackers all around the world. Read (1), (2) - Expert Reviews Read - ExtremeTech [Thanks, Bobby]
Ubuntu 10.10 'Maverick Meerkat' enters beta ahead of October 10 release
Ubuntu version 10.10 is about to come out on 10/10/2010 and score a perfect 10 out of 10 with reviewers. Or so the devs hope. The successor to April's Lucid Lynx has this week shrugged off the alpha label and stridden bravely into the world of beta software. GUI modifications are of course apparent, along with performance tweaks promising even faster boot times, but on the whole it doesn't look to be as big a leap as there was between the Lynx and Koala versions. The default photo management program is now Shotwell, replacing F-Spot, and there's an update to the Software Center allowing you to purchase paid-for Linux programs in an App Store-ish sort of way. Nothing's available to buy yet, but the plan is for that feature to go live with the final launch in October. The most intriguing thing about this Meerkat for us just might be the Unity desktop interface, which is now the default for Ubuntu Netbook Edition. If you're unafraid of beta-stage bugs (and small furry mammals), you can hit the source link to try it out.
