Out for a new laptop for both work and play? The third-generation Kubuntu Focus M2 seems like it can hit the sweet spot so let's take a look. Revealed late in September, this new laptop has some pretty nice specifications.
"The M2 makes quick work of the most demanding tasks and outperforms nearly all thin-and-light laptops. Run GPU-accelerated AI immediately with the included Deep Learning Suite. Accelerate TensorFlow jobs from 8 hours to less than 15 minutes. Render Blender scenes 10x faster with NVIDIA RTX Optix. All with unmatched Linux-first optimization and support."
You can expect with the base model to get a Core i7-11800H 8C/16T 4.6 GHz, an NVIDIA RTX 3060, 16 GB 3200MHz RAM, a 250GB Samsung NVMe and a 15.6-inch IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate and anti-glare matte coating. You can spec it out with much more though up to an NVIDIA RTX 3080, two NVMe drives (each up to 2TB) and 64GB RAM. There's also the included Intel Irix Xe 32EU graphics too, still pretty good for when you don't want to have more power sucked away by the NVIDIA chip.
The battery they say is a 73 Wh, which will give you according to their tests about 3.5 hours when using the dedicated GPU and about 6.5 hours when using the Intel Xe. Plenty of networking options too with Gigabit RJ-45 Ethernet LAN, Intel Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 AX 200 and Dual Mode Bluetooth 5.2.
Not a machine for those of you who are after low-mid range, with a price tag to match starting at $1,945. It could easily see you through a number of years though with that kind of power. Currently it seems they only ship to the USA and Canada.
Have to admit I drooled a little over this.
See more and order from their website.
And a full keyboard?!?
Impressive.
Only thing that seems off to me is the touchpad placement. Wouldn't it make more sense to have it to the right side? (I'll admit I'm a right hander so I might be biased, lol)
Pretty sure those base specs are better than my "new" computer I built in the end of 2018. Similar price too.I am so used to my thinkpad, I now think trackpoints are the superior device. So it would be hard for me to go to a laptop without one... but then if we are talking about a gaming laptop... I would still prefer to have an external keyboard and mouse.
And a full keyboard?!?
Impressive.
Only thing that seems off to me is the touchpad placement. Wouldn't it make more sense to have it to the right side? (I'll admit I'm a right hander so I might be biased, lol)
Also, I hate when I see laptops without a full 10key...
Is this another shitty Clevo machine?
Probably, like all the other "custom" laptops. I learnt the hard way to avoid these - one component broke and there were *no* spare parts, anywhere. Or repair specs. Or even bios images (that's how the service killed it for good). The laptop now gathers dust in the basement.
Pretty sure those base specs are better than my "new" computer I built in the end of 2018. Similar price too.I am so used to my thinkpad, I now think trackpoints are the superior device. So it would be hard for me to go to a laptop without one... but then if we are talking about a gaming laptop... I would still prefer to have an external keyboard and mouse.
And a full keyboard?!?
Impressive.
Only thing that seems off to me is the touchpad placement. Wouldn't it make more sense to have it to the right side? (I'll admit I'm a right hander so I might be biased, lol)
Also, I hate when I see laptops without a full 10key...
Is that the little joystick like thing in the middle of the keyboard? My thinkpad had one back in 2004. It wasn't bad at all. Didn't know they still did things like that.
That's the thing, it's had various slang names for it over the years... but yes, it's a little red nub you rub to get things done. Certain models still have it. Also another reason Thinkpads are epic, is that they have three mouse buttons on them, which is fantastic for *nix as they all tend to correctly use the middle mouse button!Pretty sure those base specs are better than my "new" computer I built in the end of 2018. Similar price too.I am so used to my thinkpad, I now think trackpoints are the superior device. So it would be hard for me to go to a laptop without one... but then if we are talking about a gaming laptop... I would still prefer to have an external keyboard and mouse.
And a full keyboard?!?
Impressive.
Only thing that seems off to me is the touchpad placement. Wouldn't it make more sense to have it to the right side? (I'll admit I'm a right hander so I might be biased, lol)
Also, I hate when I see laptops without a full 10key...
Is that the little joystick like thing in the middle of the keyboard? My thinkpad had one back in 2004. It wasn't bad at all. Didn't know they still did things like that.
I've used two Dell business laptops over the years (higher end Latitudes) and both had the trackpoint/joystick as well. Only one of them had three "mouse" buttons below the keyboard though. I guess they didn't fit on the 14" model or something.Is that the little joystick like thing in the middle of the keyboard? My thinkpad had one back in 2004. It wasn't bad at all. Didn't know they still did things like that.That's the thing, it's had various slang names for it over the years... but yes, it's a little red nub you rub to get things done. Certain models still have it. Also another reason Thinkpads are epic, is that they have three mouse buttons on them, which is fantastic for *nix as they all tend to correctly use the middle mouse button!
Last edited by tuubi on 24 October 2021 at 1:07 pm UTC
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