For those looking to splash out a bit on a new desktop, the Linux hardware vendor Entroware have unleashed Hades, a powerful new desktop computer with Linux pre-loaded.
This is their first AMD Ryzen powered desktop with multiple choices between the CPU and GPU, although they're still only providing NVIDIA GPUs with the Hades. For those looking at the ultimate performance, they've gone with the AMD Threadripper so it really is a bit of a beast.
- CPU Options: Ryzen TR 1900x up to Ryzen TR 2990WX
- GPU Options: NVIDIA® GT 1030, RTX 2070, RTX 2080 or RTX 2080 Ti Graphics
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 2933MHz up to 128GB DDR4 (with 2400MHz ECC options)
- Front Ports: 2 x USB Hi-Speed 2.0, 2 x USB SuperSpeed 3.0, 1 x USB SuperSpeed 3.0 Type-C, 1 x Headphone Jack, 1 x Microphone Jack
- Rear Ports: 1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Combo, 8 x USB SuperSpeed 3.1, 1 x USB SuperSpeed 3.1 10Gbps, 1 x USB SuperSpeed 3.1 10Gbps Type-C, 5 x Audio Jacks (Line In, Line Out, Mic In, Rear Speaker Out, Centre Speaker Out), 2 x RJ-45 Ethernet, 2 x WiFi Antenna Connector, 1 x Power Connector
It also comes with Bluetooth support built-in as well, so that's sweet.
Operating system choices are somewhat limited, with Entroware focusing on Ubuntu and Ubuntu MATE either 18.04 LTS (Long-term support) or 18.10. The more options they add in though, the more time consuming it would be so it's not a major issue. Anyone using other distributions likely know exactly what they're doing anyway.
You will need to dig deep though, since the price starts at £1,599.99. You can't pay for a top unit on the cheap though, it pays to future-proof yourself as much as possible of course. Still, it's quite high.
For shipping, they're currently available to people in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
I personally tested a laptop Entroware sent over back in 2015 and I was very impressed with them. For those outside the US they seem like a pretty decent company to go with for Linux hardware. While I usually build desktops myself from parts, for a laptop Entroware will absolutely be my go-to company. Even so, the Hades is an impressive unit.
Find out more about Hades on the Entroware site.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
I'll give them a pass on the Nvidia nonsense and a slightly raised eyebrow at the prices. I'll just leave a note here; there will always be an extra cost involved when buying a pre-assembled PC vs buying parts and building it yourself, that's the nature of the beast.
Anyway, I personally wouldn't buy a prebuilt desktop system (it's easy enough & much cheaper + more fun to build it yourself and you have a lot more choice/control over what parts go into it), but I'd be very interested in a good Ryzen laptop. I got an Entroware laptop for my mother almost two years ago & it's generally been very good so far; more than enough for what she uses it for. That said, I was unimpressed by their choice of SSD (made by a manufacturer I've never heard of before: Biwin) - it became noticeably slower over time, and recently had to be replaced as it started showing signs of failure (severe slowdowns + SMART data reporting lots of errors).
wintermute Jan 14, 2019
Quoting: dpanterthere will always be an extra cost involved when buying a pre-assembled PC vs buying parts and building it yourself, that's the nature of the beast.
The issue I have is that it's significantly more expensive than PC Specialist, not that it's significantly more expensive than building it myself. I am at the stage in life where I'm quite happy to exchange money for time spent fiddling with tiny screws.
Avehicle7887 Jan 14, 2019
Before I am assaulted by AMD users: I'm not being (or trying) to be a fanboy, it's just the way things, are. They're probably aware that with AMD it's a bit more complicated to upgrade drivers (having to add unofficial PPA's for starters) and that might also increase support costs for their company.
I think if Canonical upgraded the GPU drivers regularly things might be different.
cRaZy-bisCuiT Jan 14, 2019
Quoting: GuestThis is exactly like mine, except it has USB Type-C where mine is a few years old and just has 2.0 and 3.0 on the top. I really like Fractal cases a lot!
If I lived where they shipped I'd be looking at these once the new Raedon VII is out and hopefully and options. As is I keep an eye on System 76 for being in the US.
Yes, Fractal Design R models are very nice cases. I myself have the old R3, it has only USB 2.0 in front :) not that I would really need any better. Next case is also gonna be Fractal.
Quoting: Avehicle7887I think if Canonical upgraded the GPU drivers regularly things might be different.
It's surprising Canonical didn't take care of providing gamers oriented preset, where kernel and Mesa are kept up to date by default. I suppose they expect that gamers aren't going to use Ubuntu in general, and would focus on rolling distros for the most part? If this PC is oriented on gamers, may be they should sell it with a rolling distro to begin with.
Personally, I also like buying components and assembling them myself, instead of getting a pre-assembled PC. An option in between are stores which assemble a custom PC for you, based on your components specification.
Last edited by Shmerl on 14 January 2019 at 10:37 pm UTC
TheRiddick Jan 15, 2019
Last edited by TheRiddick on 15 January 2019 at 7:17 am UTC
Quoting: SolitaryQuoting: brokkrIf you just want the case, it's definitely a Fractal Design one. With those dimensions, I'd say probably the Fractal Define C.
Actually it looks like Fractal Define R6, check the side of the front doors, there is space to put your fingers in, Defince C does not have front doors. The front I/O also looks different. This is definitely R6.
The Fractal Define R6 is such a great case <3, only the case fans are not so silent.
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