It was last year when KDE lovers found an opportunity with the Ubuntu operating system, known as KDE Neon. Now, there’s big news from KDE and Slimbook: the KDE Slimbook, equipped with pre-installed KDE Neon.
What Makes the KDE SlimBook Special?
The well-renowned Spanish manufacturer, Slimbook, proposed a laptop to the KDE foundation with the capability to integrate KDE and undergo testing by KDE developers. The aim is to create a basic hardware platform that allows users to identify and diagnose hardware problems, possibly correcting them before the next environment release.
The main idea behind this prototype is promising. By running KDE applications and components of its framework on the platform, defects in the operating system, drivers, or hardware can be discovered and resolved. This approach aims to address the issue of hardware and software compatibility effectively, providing a perfectly matched KDE Neon hardware in the KDE Slimbook.
Previously, creating applications for Linux, an open-source environment, often proved difficult, with compatibility issues being a major hurdle for developers. Slimbook has sought to make this process easier by launching a laptop pre-installed with KDE Neon, using standardized hardware to facilitate software development that perfectly matches the Linux operating system.
If a specific problem cannot be reproduced on the KDE Slimbook, it may indicate that the problem lies beyond the scope of the KDE desktop environment.
Slimbook is known for producing laptops with pre-installed Ubuntu. The company offers two variants of the Slimbook, both with KDE Neon pre-installed, known as Slimbook Classic V2. These laptops are elegantly designed, well-assembled ultrabooks with aluminum structures. They come in two configurations, with variations in RAM and hard drive capacity. You can opt for an SSD with a capacity of up to 500 GB and choose between 8 GB and 16 GB of RAM.
What Are the Detailed Specifications of the KDE Slimbook?
The first variant of the KDE Slimbook is equipped with an Intel Core i5-6200U processor, while the second variant features a 6th generation Intel Core i7. It comes with an Intel HD 520 graphics card, 120 GB SSD, a 13.3-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080p, and a two-year warranty. The i7 configuration is priced at about 849 Euros, while the i5 configuration is priced at 729 Euros. Both variants include Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0. In terms of ports and jacks, it offers two USB 3.0 ports, a mini Ethernet port for an adapter, a miniHDMI port, an SD card reader, and a power supply jack for charging. The laptop features a 6800 mAh battery, a backlit keyboard, and a grey-colored body.
Why Is the KDE Slimbook Priced High?
The KDE Slimbook may receive criticism for its high price, as there are laptops with similar hardware configurations running Windows 10 available at a lower cost. However, for Linux developers working within the integrated KDE environment, it serves as a valuable choice. It’s particularly well-suited for software development in the KDE environment. The Slimbook KDE is not a typical entertainment laptop; it’s a specialized device with a specific purpose and price. Pre-orders are set to ship starting in mid-March 2017.
Source: SlimBook