Linux computer company System76 is updating its smallest laptop. The Galago Pro first launched early last year, got a processor update in the fall, and now it’s getting a new display option.
Normally when we talk about display options, we mean things like resolution or touch panel options. But System76 is offering two different screen sizes for the new Galago Pro. You can buy a model with a 13.3 inch or a 14 inch display, but both laptops are the same size. The 14 inch model just has slimmer screen bezels.
If you opt for the 14 inch screen you get a 1080p matte IPS display. Th 13.3 inch display option gets you a 3200 x 1800 pixel screen (which also appears to be the shinier option).
Either way, the laptop measures about 13″ x 8.9″ x 0.56″ and weighs 2.87 pounds.
The notebook supports Intel Core i5-8250U and Core i7-8550U processor options, up to 32GB of DDR4-2400 memory, and up to 6TB of solid state storage.
It has a Thunderbolt 3/USB Type-C port, two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, an SD card reader, HDMI and Ethernet jacks, and a backlit keyboard. There’s a 720p webcam and a 35.3 Wh battery.
The Galago Pro ships with a choice of Ubuntu 18.04 LTS or System76’s Pop!_OS 18.04 LTS, which is based on Ubuntu.
via BetaNews
I want so badly to like System76, but their machines are overpriced in my opinion. They’re still just reselling cheap Clevo chassis with Ubuntu loaded onto them.
I own one, and I do have to say the clevos are cheep. but the amount of support they offer is unparalleled, even for dinky linux questoins. They take all the pain out of linux on a laptop. No driver issues, decent battery, it literally just works, better than my mac most times. Still miss the aluminum chassis tho.
That’s what happens when you’re in the market for a boutique OS. You’re gonna have to pay for it…
🙂
Sam, you’re not alone in your thinking. They’re simply not even trying to be competitive. None of the companies selling linux notebooks/desktops are. I simply don’t understand it. Much better to purchase a Windows laptop and install your favorite distro on it. I’m not trying to bash on any of these companies, I’m a huge fan of linux. I wish someone would come up with a nice core i3 or i5 unit that the masses could afford….I think they’d sell quite a few. I know I’d buy one…and….I’d actually like to purchase a System 76 laptop, but I looked at their site the other day…and walked away shocked at the pricing of their units. Since I attempt to live within my means…I’ll probably be looking at a used laptop on ebay and adding Ubuntu 18.04 to it. I like fanless units…so, I’m looking at HP foliobook 13.
I’ve always liked System 76, but I agree their prices are kind of high. I picked up a brand new HP 15 inch AMD quad core touch screen laptop at Walmart for $350. Then I replaced the hard drive with an SSD and installed 16gb of RAM for another $200, and installed Linux Mint for free. So for $550, I have a pretty nice Linux laptop. The only pre-built Linux laptops I’ve seen in this price range are from Dell. But Dell usually dumbs down the hardware on those to the lowest possible specs.
IMHO the weakest link of the Galago Pro 13″ is the battery.
They should double the 35Wh battery to 70Wh to be close to the Dell XPS 13.
They are close in price, better in some hw features (upgradeable RAM) but much-much weaker at battery life and they have no service/distribution network around the world.
With a proper battery, they could become a more serious contender.