News & Announcements

Older Kubuntu Focus News

• 25 Nov 2021 Newsletter 26 Nov 2021
• 28 Sep 2021 Announcing Focus M2 ^{GEN 3}
• 29 Jul 2021 Focus XE Now Available
• 20 Sep 2021 Kubuntu Focus In the News
• 17 May 2021 Focus M2^{GEN 2} Back In Stock
• 06 Mar 2021 Announcing Focus M2^{GEN 2}
• 22 Feb 2021 Newsletter 22 Feb 2021
• 14 Jan 2021 VirtualBox 6.1 Update
• 14 Jan 2021 Kubuntu Focus Themes
• 21 Dec 2020 The Most Unique Laptop
• 14 Jan 2021 NVIDIA Driver 460
• 14 Jan 2021 Hardware Enablement Stack
• 14 Jan 2021 APT Rollback
• 18 Dec 2020 MacBook Pro Replacement?
• 10 Dec 2020 Kubuntu Focus Recommendation
• 15 Dec 2020 NEW power saving GPU Switcher
• 26 Nov 2020 HOLIDAY SALE
• 16 Nov 2020 Evolved Desktop Theme
• 31 Oct 2020 Expanded Guided Solutions
• 29 Sep 2020 Announcing the M2
• 18 Jun 2020 Guided Solutions Expanded
• 11 May 2020 Deep Learning Updated
• 07 May 2020 Enterprise 20.04 LTS Announced
• 02 May 2020 Kubuntu 20.04 LTS Now Shipping

<< More Recent News

Newsletter 26 Nov 2021

25 Nov 2021: Black Friday, New Kernel, more

Thank you for being a Kubuntu Focus newsletter subscriber. Read on to learn about the Black Friday Sale, a new kernel, improved JetBrains integration, improved guided solutions, and enhanced FocusRx and other tools.

Black Friday Sale

If you’ve been thinking about getting a Focus for you or someone you love, there’s never been a better time with the Black Friday Sale. There’s no hassle or fine print, just great savings on every system:

• Save $300 on the Focus M2, now starting at $1,645
• Save $50 on the Focus XE, now starting at $845

The third-generation M2 now features an 11th-generation Intel CPU, faster RAM, and Thunderbolt 4. All systems, including the base models, use only high-speed components. Order now for a limited time.

New Kernel Brings Power Enhancements

All Focus systems have been recently bumped to the 5.14 kernel. This includes a small patch we coordinated to eliminate display flicker for the latest M2. It also includes improved power management for 11th generation CPUs. We recently tested the M2 (GEN 3) and XE. with the new kernel. The M2 shows up to 6.5 hours of normal use, while the XE improves from 6.5 to 8 hours - an impressive 1.5 hour gain. All tests were done on with the default power-saving mode and 20% display brightness, and included standard web development tasks like browser (1-4 tabs), use of an IDE and database, web server, nodejs, and image editing.

Improved JetBrains Integration

We have introduced two new packages, dolphin-plugins-jetbrains and plasma-runner-jetbrains, that integrate the JetBrains IDE tools into the desktop.

• dolphin-plugins-jetbrains (JetBrainDolphinPlugin) provides a right-click context menu item that allows users to easily open their JetBrains projects from the file manager
• plasma-runner-jetbrains (JetBrainsKrunnerPlugin) provides an easy way to press alt-space to search for a JetBrains project and launch it

The JetBrains Toolbox package, jetbrains-toolbox now recommends these packages and should install them on updates for new and existing users.

New and Updated Guided Solutions

We've added quite a few articles and updates to the searchable guided solutions. Here are some highlights:

• NEW: Integrated Development Environments
• NEW: Blender and 3D Modeling
• Updated: All articles now use two-column text to improve readability and information density
• Updated: Curated Apps article now has more apps, link to external documents, and click to install option
• Updated: External Displays article now has information on window behavior management
• Updated: External Displays now shows how displays are attached with Intel or Nvidia GPU

Enhanced FocusRx and Other Tools

FocusRx, the system repair and maintenance tool, is now more comprehensive and easier to use. Also, please remember that there are quite a few helpful tools besides FocusRx, and you can find them at Start Menu > Applications > Kubuntu Focus Tools. These could save you hours. For example, erase video flickering across all connected displays, or switch GCC tool chains, or install a ML Python Anaconda suite with just a click. Or you clean unused kernels, adjust keyboard colors (M2 only), select a power profile, or revisit any step in the welcome wizard.

If you’re a fan of CLI, we encourage you try the qwe bookmark utility with autocomplete. Enter qwe -h into the terminal to learn how to use it. If it is not available, you can install it by adding it to your .bashrc file ( echo -e $'# Source qwe bookmarks source /usr/lib/kfocus-001/lib/qwe.source' >> ~/.bashrc; source ~/.bashrc ) and then try again.

If you have questions, please write support@kfocus.org or call 844-536-2871. As always, we hope to see you again soon.

Sincerely, The Kubuntu Focus Team

Announcing Focus M2 ^{GEN 3}

28 Sep 2021: i7-11800H, 3200 MHz RAM, Thunderbolt 4, Iris

The Kubuntu Focus Team announces the availability of the third-generation Focus M2 Linux mobile workstation with multiple performance enhancements. RTX 3080 and RTX 3070 models are in stock now. RTX 3060 models can be reserved now and ship first week of November.

The thin-and-light M2 laptop is a superb choice for anyone looking for the best out-of-the-box Linux experience on the most powerful mobile hardware. Customers include ML scientists, developers, and creators. Improvements to the 3rd generation include:

• Upgrade CPU to Intel 11th generation 10nm i7-11800H. This is 20-25% faster in Geekbench tests yet runs cooler.
• Double the iGPU performance with Intel Iris Xe 32 EU Graphics.
• Increase RAM speed from 2933 to 3200 MHz, 64 GB dual-channel.
• Upgrade Thunderbolt from 3 to version 4.

The GPU choices include the RTX 3060, 3070, or 3080 with up to 16GB of VRAM. Skip the dongles with plenty of high-speed ports and the ability to drive 3 external 4k displays with standard cables. Learn more on the product page.

About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus takes the guesswork out of system configuration and administration and empowers developers and companies to focus on innovation. Eliminate days or weeks of setup with:

• Carefully selected and tested high-performance systems and components
• Preconfigured and curated apps
• Hundreds of UX and hardware optimizations
• Unique and useful KFocus developer tools
• Frequent improvements through daily package updates
• Unmatched Linux-first support

Testimonials

Watch Jeffrey Fritz use the Kubuntu Focus M2 every Monday and Tuesday during October 2021 on the LiveCoders DotNet Channel. Here's is what he has to say about his experience:

The Kubuntu Focus team is always providing great support, on the phone, in the device, and with updates delivered. The cheat sheet desktop wizard is just a great visualization of how they’re there, providing tips and helping you even when you’re not immediately looking for it. - Jeffrey Fritz, Founder of Live Coders on Twitch.

Paco Nathan is a pioneer and esteemed consultant in Machine Learning. Here is what he has to say about Focus M2:

KFocus pioneered ‘DevOps’ to the Desktop, which I leverage to run bare metal on a GPU laptop, in much the same environment as my HPC cluster in the cloud. No messing around with excuses like ‘brew’, ‘xcode’, or ridiculous paths that involve backslashes. Get to work straight away with zero tech giant overhead, while KFocus has your back with responsive experts, tested system management, and drama-free patches in daily package updates. Crunch your data and build large models without waiting for permission — Paco Nathan, Derwen AI.

Focus XE Now Available

29 Jul 2021: The 14-inch Linux laptop for everyone

The Kubuntu Focus Team announces the affordable Focus XE 14-inch laptop. This ultra-portable and energy-efficient system is a great choice for developers, creators, and those who are looking for the best out-of-the-box Linux experience but don't need the power, complexity, or expense of a dedicated GPU.

Highlights include the fast and power-efficient Intel 11th generation CPUs with graphics that are 3 times faster than the prior generation. Numerous high-speed audio and data ports include Thunderbolt 4 and the capacity to attach multiple 4K displays. Customers can customize their XE with up to 64GB of high-speed 3200Mhz Dual-Channel RAM, and up to 2T of NVMe storage.

About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus provides the ultimate Linux systems and solutions for developers, engineers, and scientists. Save valuable time every day with carefully selected curated apps, custom tools, hundreds of UX and hardware optimizations, and high-performance premium components. The Kubuntu OS combines the industry-standard Ubuntu® 20.04 LTS with the beautiful yet familiar KDE Plasma desktop.

Testimonial

The search for a Linux laptop is over. I have been using Linux for over 25 years. Having the right hardware and the right software has always been a challenge. It has always been doable, but in a crafty, artisanal, time-consuming way. It was an art. K-Focus has industrialize this process so that the user has a similar or better experience than on a Mac or Windows. They made the right compromises to build a durable offering for engineers, scientists, and media professionals - Jean-Georges Perrin, author of Spark In Action.

Kubuntu Focus In the News

20 Sep 2021: A round-up of Focus XE articles

With the launch of the Kubuntu Focus XE, we once again found ourselves in the news. Check out the following articles and news publications from around the web.

• Linux Magazine: Kubuntu Focus Team Announces High-Performance Focus XE
• Beta News: Just Say No to Windows 11 by Taking Linux Back to School with the Kubuntu Focus XE Laptop
• PRWeb: The Kubuntu Focus Team Announces the Affordable Kubuntu Focus XE
• Beta News: Student Deal Alert: Kubuntu Focus XE Linux Laptop Gets Huge Back-To-School Price Cut
• BollyInside: For Back-To-School, the Price of the Kubuntu Focus XE Linux Laptop Has Been Significantly Reduced
• Benzinga: The Kubuntu Focus Team Launches a More Affordable XE Laptop starting at just $895

Focus M2^{GEN 2} Back In Stock

17 May 2021: Featuring the RTX 30-Series GPUs

Quite a few subscribers asked us to notify them when the RTX 30-Series M2’s came back in stock, and here they are. Most orders are built and shipped in just a day or two. If you want the 3080, please order soon as the supply is very limited.

One key feature we find especially interesting is the 16 GB RTX 3080 GPU. You can find all the updated benchmarks in the Specs Page. What really makes our eyes pop, though, is the 16 GB of VRAM. That’s larger than almost all laptop and desktop GPUs. This gives data scientists unprecedented power and capacity for Deep Learning prototypes and development in a thin-and-light laptop.

We have also been busy updating the Guided Solutions. Highlights include a simplified clean install guide, an update email guide for Thunderbird 78, and an extensively expanded Help and FAQ guide. We have also created all-new guides on Installation Recovery, Update 18.04, and installing a desktop Weather Widget. We hope you find these useful.

Our final enhancement should please the AI geeks out there: it’s now easier than ever to install CUDA, cuDNN libraries, and meta-packages thanks to careful orchestration between Ubuntu and NVIDIA repositories. Just install kfocus-001-cuda and all libraries are correctly pulled from all the right places for use by Steam, Lutris, and the entire Deep Learning Suite (TensorFlow, Pytorch, Jupyter Notebook, etc).

Announcing Focus M2^{GEN 2}

06 Mar 2021: Featuring RTX 30-Series GPUs

The Kubuntu Focus team announces the immediate availability of the NVIDIA RTX 30 series GPUs for their second-generation laptop. Experience power out of the box acclaimed by both experts and new users. The finely-tuned Focus virtually eliminates the need to configure the OS, applications, or updates. With scores of Guided Solutions and unparalleled support, your shortest path to Linux success is a Focus System.

The Focus M2 is smaller, lighter, and more ergonomic than the prior generation M1. It features a faster 10th-generation Intel 5.0 GHz 8c/16t CPU, 2993 MHz RAM, better cooling, and longer battery life. It is a power workstation wrapped up in a lightweight laptop.

Get unparalleled customer support with same-day builds, Guided Solutions, free cross-shipping, and free live support. We take care of the platform, so you can focus on work and play.

Newsletter 22 Feb 2021

22 Feb 2021: QWE CLI Bookmark System

Added QWE. This QWE command-line bookmark systems enables users to create, delete, and use directory bookmarks with convenience and ease, and includes tab auto-complete. Run the following in a terminal to try it out:

Removed Auto-Start Applications. We replaced many auto-start applications on first sign-in. These are now handled by the first-run wizard.

Added a First-Run Wizard. You may now run the first-run wizard on demand. Just click Start Menu > System > Kubuntu Focus Welcome Setup.

Added a FocusRX Launcher. The system already auto-runs FocusRx on login to check for out-of-band updates for your system. If you want to check for any other reason, it is now easy to launch from the menu. Just click Start Menu > System > Kubuntu FocusRx.

Enlarged /boot Partition. We have doubled the size of the /boot partition to 1.0 GB for new installations to help accommodate more kernels.

Moved CUDA to a Separate Package. Not everyone wants or needs the NVIDIA deep learning libraries installed and enabled from the first boot. We have packaged the CUDA libraries into their own separate package, providing more choice and flexibility for users in how they configure the Graphics Processing Unit.

Added Kernel Cleanup GUI. This to provides a clean and simple GUI to remove unused Kernels in the newly extend /boot partition while retaining the in-use kernel, the latest HWE kernel, the latest mainline kernel, and the real-time variants.

VirtualBox 6.1 Update

14 Jan 2021: Support for 5.8+ Kernels

We have added the official Oracle repository to provide VirtualBox. Unlike the stock version, these newer build support kernel versions 5.8 and greater. To update, open a terminal and enter the following:

We suggest you download the extension pack. Click on the package shown in the browser to install it. When you run a virtual machine, VirtualBox may prompt you to update the data. This should only occur once per virtual machine and usually takes less than a minute.

Kubuntu 20.04 LTS Now Shipping

02 May 2020: Kubuntu 20.04 OS Option Added

Kubuntu 20.04 LTS is now available for all systems. The first batch with the 20.04 builds shipped on 02 May 2020. We invested many weeks to ensure the OS, curated apps, Guided Solutions, UX preferences, and hardware optimizations work while also improving 18.04 support. We hope you like it!

The official upgrade from 18.04.4 LTS to 20.04 LTS will be available in late July 2020. If you’d rather not wait, you can perform a clean install. Just remember to back up your data first!