Snazzy, Simple Ubuntu Operating System
Similar to ASUS’ Xandros Linux and Acer’s Linpus Linux Lite, Dell’s mini-notebook sports a tailored version of Ubuntu’s Netbook Remix. (The system is also available with Windows XP for a limited-time introductory price of $399; after that’s up, starting price will be $439.)
The heart of the customized OS is Dell’s Launcher, a strip of icons that runs across the center of the desktop. A series of application categories—Entertainment, Learn, Games, Productivity, and Web—are displayed horizontally. When a category is selected, the Launcher slides up the screen and a set of preloaded applications related to that category appears below. Adding extra buttons to the launcher is simple: click the Add button, make up your own category, and drag in programs or create shortcuts to Web sites.
We were impressed with the smoothness of the transitions and animations. Not only is Dell’s interface sleeker than both the Eee PC’s Xandros and Acer’s Linpus Linux Lite, but Dell’s Ubuntu version makes switching to the advanced desktop mode to programs easier. We were able to add StumbleUpon to our Firefox browser via the Add/Remove program.
