Kubuntu Focus Announces the Focus Ir14 Laptop

[GFreeman]

Today the Kubuntu Focus team announces their latest Linux laptop: The Focus Ir14 developed in partnership with Carbon Systems of Santa Rosa, CA. This laptop is an affordable, enterprise-ready system designed to exude quality everywhere the customer looks and touches. This is the fourth Focus model featuring Kubuntu LTS and the KDE Plasma interface.

This 3-pound laptop has a 14-inch, 450-nit, narrow-bezel 1920×1200 display with 100% sRGB color reproduction. It also features a centered precision touchpad, all-alloy construction, 6 hours of battery life, and can charge from a USB-C display cable. Systems are built to order and can be customized with up to 64 GB of 3200 MHz dual-channel RAM, 4 TB of storage in a dual-disk setup, and optional no-cost full-disk encryption. Prices start at $895.



The Ir14 has many high-speed ports to make connecting simple and fun:

• * 1x HDMI 2.0
• * 1x USB-C 3.1 with 65 W Power Delivery IN
• * 1x USB-C + Thunderbolt 4 (15w)
• * 2x USB-A 3.1
• * 1x AX201 WLAN + Bluetooth, M.2 2230
• * 1x SD Card Reader
• * 1× 3.5 mm 2-in-1 Headset Jack
• * 1x Kensington Lock

"The Ir14 is perfect for developers, creators, and engineers that want or need compatibility with the OS that powers the internet and billions of other devices," says Michael Mikowski, General Manager. "The stars of the show are the vibrant display, the no-flex keyboard, and the large precision touchpad. We also like the 12th-gen H-series i5-12450H CPU, which provides excellent value, snappy performance, and mature Linux hardware support. We test and tune every one of these capabilities to provide the best possible experience. "

"Kubuntu Focus has partnered with Carbon Systems to create the Focus Ir14. Carbon Systems supplies the Managed Service Provider (MSP) channel with systems carefully selected for features, reliability, manageability, and price. This matches well with our goal to deliver just-works systems and broader hardware choices, and brings us a step closer to complete solutions for Linux systems in the enterprise."

Dave Cook, President of Carbon Systems, states "After meeting with the team at Kubuntu Focus, a partnership just made sense. Our goals are closely aligned in providing the best quality solutions to the business market, and Kubuntu Focus does just that, but in the Linux world."

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[r9]

"This laptop is an affordable..... Prices start at $895."
Did the definition of affordable changed or this is just for the Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE markets ?

 

[Squared]

"This laptop is an affordable..... Prices start at $895."
Did the definition of affordable changed or this is just for the Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE markets ?

The article says that the laptop is "enterprise-ready". I think business laptops usually start over $1000 in the US.

 

[r9]

The article says that the laptop is "enterprise-ready". I think business laptops usually start over $1000 in the US.

So enterprise-ready affordable. Didn't know was a thing either.
Sounds like a lot of hoopla to sell overpriced hardware.

 

[Shihab]

Sounds like a lot of hoopla to sell overpriced hardware.

They aren't selling *just* the hardware, though. The company's landing page brags about the software experience, that they have a "near-zero setup [time]."

An amusing approach. Sure, setting up a linux computer can be an arduous task, but I think your average linux user already expects to do it. And tbh, their approach looks like the android OEM's bloatware on steroids!
Still, it's probably an added value to someone.

Even more amusing is the fact that someone would pay anything for Plasma. </flame>

 

[mechtech]

Nice looking laptop, however call me old school, in that I like my numpad and a network port.

 

[Space Lynx]

"This laptop is an affordable..... Prices start at $895."
Did the definition of affordable changed or this is just for the Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE markets ?

The article says that the laptop is "enterprise-ready". I think business laptops usually start over $1000 in the US.

I got a new laptop recently, had a 7530U APU in it (which just came out) 1080p webcam, win 11, backlit keyboard, custom color I picked out, etc 1080p ips screen, $350 with my teacher discount.

corporations are about as efficient as government when it comes to buying things, an ironic plot twist. lol

 

[lexluthermiester]

"This laptop is an affordable..... Prices start at $895."
Did the definition of affordable changed or this is just for the Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE markets ?

For what you are getting, yes that price is affordable. If you want "cheap", look elsewhere, you won't have to go far.

 

[bonehead123]

Nice looking laptop, however call me old school, in that I like my numpad and a network port.

number pad, I agree 100%, thats why I refuse to use any lappy by itself that's less than 17"... or just connect a BT KB &rodent

As for the network port, with a USB-to-ethernet dongle, surely that would not be an issue ?

Yea I know it's not a native RJ-45 jack, but just sayin

 

[r9]

For what you are getting, yes that price is affordable. If you want "cheap", look elsewhere, you won't have to go far.

I'm not looking for anything have too much crap as is.

They aren't selling *just* the hardware, though. The company's landing page brags about the software experience, that they have a "near-zero setup [time]."

An amusing approach. Sure, setting up a linux computer can be an arduous task, but I think your average linux user already expects to do it. And tbh, their approach looks like the android OEM's bloatware on steroids!
Still, it's probably an added value to someone.

Even more amusing is the fact that someone would pay anything for Plasma. </flame>

No company would use their image 100%.
Okay maybe mom and pop business would ... well there is the price thing again.

For what you are getting, yes that price is affordable. If you want "cheap", look elsewhere, you won't have to go far.

i5 12450h, 8gb and 250gb drive for $895.
Targeted audience people with more money then brains.
Lex you should get one.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I'm not looking for anything have too much crap as is.

Then why comment?

Targeted audience people with more money then brains.
Lex you should get one.

Irony, far out... Grow up.

 

[r9]

Then why comment?

I should not comment because I'm not planning to buy one ?
By that logic you must be in the market for one.
You should definitely buy one obviously have the money and definitely the brains for it. Don't let my comments stop you please.

 

[mechtech]

number pad, I agree 100%, thats why I refuse to use any lappy by itself that's less than 17"... or just connect a BT KB &rodent

As for the network port, with a USB-to-ethernet dongle, surely that would not be an issue ?

Yea I know it's not a native RJ-45 jack, but just sayin

no, no issue, not until I lose it anyway lol

 

[Minus Infinity]

"This laptop is an affordable..... Prices start at $895."
Did the definition of affordable changed or this is just for the Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE markets ?

Really. In Australia a decent laptop starts around $1500. $895 is entry level garbage.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I should not comment because I'm not planning to buy one ?
By that logic you must be in the market for one.
You should definitely buy one obviously have the money and definitely the brains for it.

You are being needlessly negative without context or reason. If we were talking about a Surface or iPad tablet(both of which are ridiculously overpriced dumpster-fires) at least there would be some understandable logic. You laid into it about a price that is not only reasonable given the total package but downright bargain shopper pricing for what it is. Context is important. You missed it.

If your goal was to make this product look lesser, you failed with zest because of YOUR lack of understanding! However, if your goal was to make yourself look silly, then you have succeeded wildly.

For reference, the context I referred to was the fact that the laptop on offer in the above article is made of sourced parts that have 100% Linux kernel compatibility, meaning that those people who desire a laptop which is fully supported by the Linux community do not have to play guess work with this system. They can buy with confidence, are in for a treat and for THOSE people(not you), the laptop above is an EXCELLENT value.

Don't let my comments stop you please.

Oh? Please do amaze us all with your continued witty retort.

 

[r9]

Really. In Australia a decent laptop starts around $1500. $895 is entry level garbage.

What kind of dollars are you talking about ?
And this is entry level garbage i5 12400 8gb and 250gb. The only difference is you can buy the same configuration from other makers for $400.

You are being needlessly negative without context or reason. If we were talking about a Surface or iPad tablet(both of which are ridiculously overpriced dumpster-fires) at least there would be some understandable logic. You laid into it about a price that is not only reasonable given the total package but downright bargain shopper pricing for what it is. Context is important. You missed it.

If your goal was to make this product look lesser, you failed with zest because of YOUR lack of understanding! However, if your goal was to make yourself look silly, then you have succeeded wildly.

For reference, the context I referred to was the fact that the laptop on offer in the above article is made of sourced parts that have 100% Linux kernel compatibility, meaning that those people who desire a laptop which is fully supported by the Linux community do not have to play guess work with this system. They can buy with confidence, are in for a treat and for THOSE people(not you), the laptop above is an EXCELLENT value.


Oh? Please do amaze us all with your continued witty retort.

You laid into it about a price that is not only reasonable given the total package but downright bargain shopper pricing for what it is.

You can buy laptop with the same specs for half the price. How's that reasonable or EXCELENT value ?

If your goal was to make this product look lesser, you failed with zest because of YOUR lack of understanding!

I didn't make their product lesser they did with i5 12400 8gb and 250g.

For reference, the context I referred to was the fact that the laptop on offer in the above article is made of sourced parts that have 100% Linux kernel compatibility

Just enable the proprietary drives and everything works on Ubuntu.
Linux kernel supports the most common devices and with the parts they picked can't get more common than that.
Buying any other $400 laptop you can pretend that they "sourced" them just for Linux.

Only value thing I can see about it is that if you buy one you be one of 10 so down the line they might worth something like a collector's item.
It also comes with "I'm and idiot" forehead sticker.

Take Valve and the Steam deck, they've invested millions to make the SteamOS, to bridge the biggest gap between Windows and Linux, the games.
I would totally understand if they sold the deck form more that what the parts are worth to cover their expenses.
But these guys haven't done any of that, they just took parts and OS from the ready shelf gave it ridiculous price tag and slapped a enterprise-ready and affordable stickers to distract the people from the specs and the price.

 

[lexluthermiester]

LOL! Are you done?

 

[Synthwave]

I got a new laptop recently, had a 7530U APU in it (which just came out) 1080p webcam, win 11, backlit keyboard, custom color I picked out, etc 1080p ips screen, $350 with my teacher discount.

corporations are about as efficient as government when it comes to buying things, an ironic plot twist. lol

Does this machine have full aluminium chassis?

I bet it doesn't.

 

[Space Lynx]

Does this machine have full aluminium chassis?

I bet it doesn't.

i don't want that anyway, so meh

 

[lexluthermiester]

i don't want that anyway, so meh

Same. I actually prefer a quality plastic over a metal.

 

[Synthwave]

Same. I actually prefer a quality plastic over a metal.

Why though? Full metal stuff tend to have much more quality.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Why though? Full metal stuff tend to have much more quality.

That not true at all. I have seen device with metal chassis that are complete crap and devices with plastic being very high quality. Metal chassis does not automatically equal high quality. Plus there's the extra mass to carry around. I prefer plastics because they're light-weight.

 

[Synthwave]

Metal chassis does not automatically equal high quality.

Ofc not. I thought we are talking about entry level business class machines in that price range.


Magnesium is really light tho.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Ofc not. I thought we are talking about entry level business class machines in that price range.

Fair enough. Entry level can be high quality without being high performance.

Magnesium is really light tho.

True!