GoKawiilKubuntu Focus Ar Gen 1 Laptop 4 / 5 Very good pros and cons Pros More than enough performance, even for AI.
Brilliant display.
Keyboard is built like a tank. Cons Ships with the Kubuntu Linux distribution and starts at $1,950, which is a little pricy. View now at Kfocus
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I've used and tested many Linux laptops over the years; sometimes they fall flat, and sometimes they rise above the competition. When a "lightweight and fast" laptop comes to my attention promising "a compelling balance of performance, features, value, and reliability," I take notice -- and hope it lives up to the claims.
Also: I compared this premium Linux laptop to my MacBook Pro - it won in surprising ways
So when Kubuntu Focus reached out about the Ar Gen 1, you can bet I was interested. I've tested Kubuntu Focus hardware before (such as the NX Gen 3), and they always impress. My hopes were high for this new laptop.
When the laptop arrived, I pulled it out of the box, and the first thing I noticed was the weight. Compared to my 13-inch MacBook Pro, this 16-inch laptop is noticeably lighter. At 3.13 pounds, this baby is hardly noticeable on my lap. Although the chassis might feel a bit plasticky, it's actually all machined metal with polymer key caps for high durability (more on the keys in a bit).
There is a lot of good to say about this laptop… a lot. I'll start with the setup. If you're used to purchasing MacOS or Windows laptops and desktops, buying one with Linux preinstalled is going to be a serious wake-up call.
After booting the Ar Gen 1 and entering the default disk encryption key (which is listed in the quick setup reference guide that comes in the box), all you have to do is set up your user account. That's it. Once you've done that, you'll find yourself at the login screen. Select your user, type the password, and you're in. It took me about two minutes from start to first login. Try that with a new MacOS or Windows laptop.
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