With Jolla have success with crowdfunding a tablet, it’s a good time to see if we can’t get some mid-range Ubuntu laptops for sale to consumers in the US. I’d like to get some idea if there is enough demand for a very open $500 Ubuntu laptop.
Would you crowdfund this? (Core Goals)
- 15″ 1080p Matte Screen
- 720p Webcam with microphone
- Spill-resistant and nice to type on keyboard
- Intel i3+ or AMD A6+
- Built-in Intel or AMD graphics with no proprietary firmware at all
- 4 GB Ram
- 128 GB SSD (this would be the one component that might have proprietary as I’m not aware of another option here)
- Ethernet 10/100/1000
- Wireless up to N
- HDMI
- SD card reader
- CoreBoot (No proprietary BIOS)
- Ubuntu 14.04 preloaded of course
- Agreement with manufacturer to continue selling this laptop (or similar one) with Ubuntu preloaded to consumers in the US for at least 3 years.
Stretch Goals? Or should they be core goals?
Will only be added if they don’t push the cost up significantly (or if everyone really wants them) and can be done with 100% open source software/firmware.
- Touchscreen
- Convertible to Tablet
- GPS
- FM Tuner (and built-in antenna)
- Digital TV Tuner (and built-in antenna)
- Ruggedized
- Direct sunlight readable screen
- “Frontlight” tech. (think Amazon PaperWhite)
- Bluetooth
- Backlit keyboard
- USB Power Adapter
Take my quick survey if you want to see this happen. If I get at least 1000 Yes’s I’ll approach manufacturers. The first version might just end up being a Chromebook modified with better specs, but I think that would be fine. Let’s get Ubuntu on mid-range consumer devices in the US!
Link to survey – http://goo.gl/forms/bwmBf92O1d
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