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Coding with Fritz and KFocus

12 Oct 2023: Watch Jeffrey Fritz Code Live

Today we show how Jeffrey Fritz uses a Focus M2 to stream Live Coding. We also discuss the new Browsers Guided Solution, and we describe the Kernel Cleaner tool.

Jeffery Fritz and KFocus

Jeffrey Fritz is using his Kubuntu Focus M2 laptop throughout October to present his "Ubuntu Linux and .NET all month long" Live Coder series.

Jeffrey Fritz on Twitch.tv

Jeffrey teaches developers how to use C#, Blazer, and .NET to create web applications. He has used the Focus for over 2 years on many of his streams. Jeff appreciates the optimizations, helpful tools, and validated updates that allow him to rely on the system. You can see more of his thoughts on the Focus Reviews Page.

Guided Solution of the Week: Browsers

The new Browsers Guided Solution presents techniques to help you get more from your web browser. Specifically, it discusses scaling, using addons, and fixing quirks for Firefox and Chrome-based browsers. It also shows how to use VIM in the browser.

vim in the browser

Sometimes customers prefer to use a Debian package to install Firefox instead of a Snap. This article discusses when that is useful and how to do it.

Focus Tool of the Week: Kernel Cleaner

The Kernel Cleaner Tool runs automatically every time you sign in and will appear only when you need it. You can also run it manually using Start Menu > Kubuntu Focus Tools > Kernel Cleaner.

Kernel Cleaner Tool

This tool checks the number of installed kernels and offers to remove older versions if the /boot partition is getting full. It always favors certain kernels. For example, it will never remove the running kernel, and it tries to keep HWE and low-latency kernels in preference to others. When this tool advises you to remove some kernels, we recommend you take its advice, as an overfull /boot partition can prevent your system from booting.

Wrap Up

Kubuntu Focus systems provide convenience, performance, compatibility, and reliability unmatched by DIY Linux systems and proprietary laptops. Here are a few links where you can explore how we do just that:

Passwords, Curated Apps, and Updates

18 Sep 2023: Secure Your Passwords

Today we look at Password Management, Curated Apps, and recent package updates.

Guided Solution of the Week: Password Management

The Password Management Guided Solution shows how to use KDE Wallet, KeePassXC, and other tools to keep your secrets safe.

Curated Apps

The Plasma Desktop includes KDE Wallet by default. KeePassXC is a cross-platform app that syncs with Chrome, Firefox, Android phones, and other tools. We highly recommend you review this article if you like to keep your passwords secure *and* shared with other devices.

Tool of the Week: Curated Apps

The Curated Apps page is a list of tested and recommended apps for the Kubuntu Focus. If you own a Focus, you can click an icon to immediately install and launch an app. These apps provide capabilities needed by many creators and developers. Examples include IDEs, 3D modeling, DevOps, image editing, messaging, virtualization, and many others. Most are automatically updated with normal software updates.

Curated Apps
Recent Updates: Window Borders, Keyboard Colors

On 2023-09-14, we released updates to the main, tools, and settings packages. Changes include:

Better Welcome Wizard, Kernel 6.2.0-31

06 Sep 2023: New Features, Improved Security

Today we look at the improved Welcome Wizard, the recent kernel update, and highlight our Back To School sale. Let’s get started!

Welcome Wizard

All steps are optional and easy to skip. If you decide to use a suggested app, the wizard will install and launch it on your command. Illustrations show how to get started, and if you want more information, each step also includes a link to a Guided Solution article.

File Backup

Additional new features include a navigation pane; checkmarks for each completed step; and a feature-rich GUI to change disk passphrases. To see it in action, click Start Menu → Kubuntu Focus Tools → Welcome Wizard.

BackInTime
Validated Kernel 6.2.0-31

You should have recently seen the HWE kernel update from 5.19.0-50 to 6.2.0-31. Like all kernels we support, this is an official Ubuntu package which is prepared and distributed by the Ubuntu Kernel Team. The Kubuntu Focus team has extensively tested it and did not find regressions on any Focus models. Here are highlights of the patch sets and security fixes in the update:

The updated kernel includes many fixes. For example, Intel GPU drivers now support higher refresh rates. If you have a high-refresh monitor, visit System Settings → Displays to see more options. In addition, the backlight controls are smoother for recent M2 models.

New Nvidia Drivers Released

18 Jul 2023: Nvidia 535, Tools, Vidsync

Today we review the Nvidia 535 driver upgrade, discuss the Focus Tools article, and highlight the Video Sync Utility.

System Updates: The Nvidia 535 Driver and ML Support

We have updated Focus systems to use the latest official Nvidia 535 driver created by Nvidia and Ubuntu. This new driver provides the latest features and security improvements. After the initial upgrade, the hardware configuration subsystem may prompt you to complete the installation the next time you sign in.

Focus support updated the Nvidia repository to provide the latest CUDA, cuDNN, OptiX, and other tools. The Deep Learning Suite was also updated to use these resources. As always, we extensively tested these changes on all systems before pushing the upgrade.

Guided Solution of the Week: Kubuntu Focus Tools

The Kubuntu Focus Tools article explains all the Focus-branded tools. If you own a Focus, you can click on an icon to launch a tool immediately. You might notice that all tools have a doc URL under their title; all these reference sections are on this page.

C Compiler Version Switcher
Tool of the Week: Video Sync Utility

Use the Video Sync Utility to eliminate video tearing when using an Nvidia GPU. It detects all attached displays and then configures the Nvidia composition pipeline for all of them at once. This works even for displays that have different refresh rates, such as 144 Hz for a laptop panel and 30 Hz for an external 4K panel.

C Compiler Version Switcher

Like many Kubuntu Focus Tools, this utility can replace hours of research and custom scripts with just one click. This is especially true for those who change connected displays frequently.

In the Press and Wrapping Up

On July 10th, How-To Geek published a review of the Focus Ir14. This follows an April 19th review by Jack Wallen of ZDNET.

About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus works to provide the best out-of-the-box Linux experience and saves customers time every day by building on KDE Plasma LTS and Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with:

Testimonial

... Kubuntu Focus isn’t just a system, it’s also quite a curation of tools and software and libraries for specific applications. What I like about this use-case approach is that it gives solid actual recommendations about how you can use the power of Linux and Open Source Software in the real world ...

Validated Kernel 5.19.0-45

03 Jul 2023: Kernel Upgrade, Curated Apps, GCC Switcher

Today we look at how to save time and hassle with the Curated Apps Page and the C Compiler Version Switcher. We also look at the recent kernel upgrade. Let’s get started!

Guided Solution of the Week: Curated Apps

The Curated Apps Page presents the apps we recommend for many categories, like video conferencing or email. They are selected for their popularity, usability, capability, compatibility, reliability, and upstream support. We also regularly test them to ensure they continue to work with Focus systems.

Curated Apps

If you click on a curated app icon and it is installed, the system will launch it immediately. If it is not installed, however, the system runs all the steps needed to get it installed and launched. For example, it may add a repository and GPG keys, download the app, install it, and then launch it. This allows you to stay focused on what you want to do instead of trying to find a quality app for your purpose.

Are curated apps the best for everyone and every use-case? Of course not, but we think they are an excellent place to start.

Tool of the Week: C Compiler Version Switcher

With this tool, you can select and, if needed, install the default compiler toolchain. Data scientists often require this capability because many ML libraries require specific compiler versions.

C Compiler Version Switcher

Like many other Kubuntu Focus Tools, this switcher can replace hours of research and messy, ad hoc script with just one click. When you switch the compiler, the tool may prompt you to install missing components. It may also request authorization to coordinate symbolic links in /usr/bin.

Recent Upgrades

You should have recently seen the kernel upgrade from 5.19.0-42 to 5.19.0-45. Like all kernels we support, this is an official Ubuntu package which is prepared and distributed by the Ubuntu Kernel Team. The Kubuntu Focus team has extensively tested it and did not find regressions on any Focus models. Here are highlights of the security fixes and patch sets of the upgrade:

You can find all the changes here.

About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus works to provide the best out-of-the-box Linux experience and saves customers time every day by building on KDE Plasma LTS and Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with:

Testimonial

... Kubuntu Focus isn’t just a system, it’s also quite a curation of tools and software and libraries for specific applications. What I like about this use-case approach is that it gives solid actual recommendations about how you can use the power of Linux and Open Source Software in the real world ...

Security, VIM in Browser

27 Jun 2023: Hardcore Wasavi and Firenvim

Today we look at the Security Tools guide, VIM editing in the browser, and recent upgrades.

Guided Solution of the Week: Security Tools

The Security Tools Guide shows how to work with several security-related tools and configurations. Topics include Ubuntu Pro, Full Disk Encryption, YubiKey 2-factor authentication, Kleopatra certificate manager, and Secure Shell hints.

Kleopatra Security Tools

We recently updated quite a few sections of this article. Under Ubuntu Pro, we show how to disable upgrade-to-ubuntu-pro prompts when using apt. Under Full Disk Encryption, we updated the output to show the latest crypt-setup behavior. And under SSH and VPN we added guidance to store secrets for Fortinet VPN.

Of course, there are other articles such as the Password Management Guide which also cover security topics. If you are seeking specific help, we always suggest you start with the search bar on the support page.

Tool of the Week: VIM Editing in the Browser

We have recently been playing with open-source web extensions to use vim editing on web forms. We really like the productivity boost, and though we'd share. Two tools we liked are Wasavi and Firenvim

Wasavi is the easiest to install because it is just a single web extension. You can therefore install it once and have it synced easily over many devices with your browser profile. However, we only found it for Chrome-based browsers, and it was last updated in 2019.

Conversely, Firenvim requires substantially more setup, and, if you use Firefox, it also requires you to install a non-snap version. The benefit is that the editor is your local Neovim, and it can use the same vim settings, macros, and syntax highlighting. It is also actively maintained and might be more secure.

If you want to play with this editing style, you might try Wasavi first, since it is so easy to set up. If you like it, you might then invest in installing Firenvim and see if it works for you.

Recent Upgrades

We published an upgraded kfocus-conda package (in the kfocus-tools metapackage) on 2023-06-14. This uses the latest Anaconda distribution and assists users in upgrading their existing installation.

KFocus Conda

There were no major Kernel, Nvidia Driver, or Desktop upgrades over the past three weeks, although there have been some minor bug fixes with Nvidia packages. We will probably release an upgraded kernel later this week as testing is nearly complete and we have seen no hardware regressions.

About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus works to provide the best out-of-the-box Linux experience and saves customers time every day by building on KDE Plasma LTS and Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with:

Testimonial

... Kubuntu Focus isn’t just a system, it’s also quite a curation of tools and software and libraries for specific applications. What I like about this use-case approach is that it gives solid actual recommendations about how you can use the power of Linux and Open Source Software in the real world ...

Machine Learning and AI

19 Jun 2023: Machine Learning Spotlight

As you probably know, we maintain an extensive Kubuntu support site, and we want to keep you updated on recent improvements. Today we highlight the AI Deep Learning Guided Solution.

Machine Learning Applications

This guide shows how to quickly install GPU-accelerated TensorFlow, PyTorch, Jupyter Notebook, and AI Bench with kfocus-conda. This tool was just updated last week to use the latest Anaconda, and it will upgrade an existing environment at your request. The tool works with Nvidia GPUs and installs compatible AI libraries.

We also updated the AI benchmarks in the guide. The average improvement from the RTX 3080 Ti to the RTX 4080 was 59% over three runs, and we estimate the 4090 will see a 72% improvement. So if you're looking for the ultimate next-gen mobile-AI workstation, the 17.3" M2 GEN 5 might be a great place to start!

About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus works to provide the best out-of-the-box Linux experience and saves customers time every day by building on KDE Plasma LTS and Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with:

Testimonial

... Kubuntu Focus isn’t just a system, it’s also quite a curation of tools and software and libraries for specific applications. What I like about this use-case approach is that it gives solid actual recommendations about how you can use the power of Linux and Open Source Software in the real world ...

Announcing the Focus M2 GEN 5

16 May 2023: Fast, Extreme Power

Today the Kubuntu Focus team announced the M2 GEN 5, a high-performance laptop. This is the 9th model optimized for Kubuntu 22.04 LTS and the KDE Plasma interface.

Kubuntu Focus M2 Gen 5 Quarter Shot

The trim M2 GEN 5 laptop is a superb choice for anyone looking for the best out-of-the-box Linux experience with the most powerful portable hardware. Indeed, it outperforms nearly all laptops and desktops. Customers include ML scientists, developers, and creators.

Perhaps the best news about the M2 GEN 5 is that its price remains the same, but with many significant improvements. Just a few upgrades from the fourth generation include:

Please check out all the improvements here. You might also like the Blender videos created with Kubuntu Focus systems on YouTube. See this shared drive for press photos, and if you have questions, please write sales@kfocus.org or call 844-536-2871.

About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus works to provide the best out-of-the-box Linux experience and saves customers time every day by building on KDE Plasma LTS and Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with:

Testimonial

... Kubuntu Focus isn’t just a system, it’s also quite a curation of tools and software and libraries for specific applications. What I like about this use-case approach is that it gives solid actual recommendations about how you can use the power of Linux and Open Source Software in the real world ...

Additional Information

Announcing the Focus Ir14 GEN 1

28 Apr 2023: Compact Structure, Reliable Power

Today the Kubuntu Focus team announced the Ir14 Gen 1, developed in partnership with Carbon Systems. This is the fifth model optimized for Kubuntu 22.04 LTS and the KDE Plasma interface.

Kubuntu Focus Ir14 GEN 1 Quarter Shot

The Ir14 was developed in partnership with Carbon Systems. Thanks to top-quality hardware and meticulous tuning, everything you see and touch works exquisitely, from the hardware itself, to its OS support and integration, all at an incredible price.

We really love the sublime experience of this laptop. All surfaces are aluminum alloy and the display is vibrant (450-nit, 100% sRGB LED IPS) and tall (1920x1200, 16:10). The glass precision touchpad is large and centered, and the no-flex deck and keyboard provide impeccable tactile feedback. It even has room for two PCIe 4 NVMe drives which support up to 7,450 MB/s.

Like all Focus Systems, the Ir14 saves you time and hassle every day with hardware optimizations, curated apps, Focus Tools, HOWTOs designed for your system, regular software enhancements, and unmatched Linux-first support.

Kubuntu Focus Ir14 GEN 1 Ports

'After meeting with the team at Kubuntu Focus, a partnership just made sense. Our goals are closely aligned in providing the best quality solutions to the business market, and Kubuntu Focus does just that, but in the Linux world,' states Dave Cook, President of Carbon Systems.

About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus works to provide the best out-of-the-box Linux experience and saves customers time every day by building on KDE Plasma LTS and Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with:

Testimonial

... Kubuntu Focus isn’t just a system, it’s also quite a curation of tools and software and libraries for specific applications. What I like about this use-case approach is that it gives solid actual recommendations about how you can use the power of Linux and Open Source Software in the real world ...

Additional Information

Kubuntu Focus is now a KDE Patron

11 Apr 2023: More Collaboration

KDE Patron Logo

Kubuntu Focus has become a corporate-level KDE Patron! Our team has been active with the KDE community for years through rigorous testing, reporting, and bug fixes. We look forward to even deeper collaboration in the future.

This will benefit our customers and the entire community that uses KDE and Kubuntu. We are especially interested in contributing solutions that enable professionals to replace their proprietary desktops with Linux and KDE software. Please see the full announcement here

Next-Gen Products, Power and Fan, 20,04 EOL

31 Mar 2023: NX GEN 2 and XE GEN 2 are available

Second Generation NX and XE

You may have seen our announcements about the Focus NX GEN 2 and the XE GEN 2! Both of these systems have been upgraded with substantially faster PCIe 4 disks and 12th Generation Intel processors. Check them out!

The End is Neigh! Upgrade From 20.04 to 22.04 LTS Soon!

Kubuntu support for 20.04 LTS ends in April 2023. If you are still running this release, please click this link to upgrade at your earliest convenience. As stated in this guide, we highly recommend you back up your data and perform a clean installation.

KFocus Power Tool and Fan
kfocus power

You now can control nearly all aspects of power management in one place! Visit Start > Kubuntu Focus Tools > Power and Fan to see the updated tool. By default, the power profile is balanced, the frequency profile is normal, and the fan profile is soft. If you unplug from AC, you can watch the frequencies and keyboard LEDs adjust in real time to maximize battery life.

Contribute with KFocus-Source

All Focus software has always been open source, but it wasn’t easy to contribute. Now it’s far easier with kfocus-source found on GitHub.

Kernels and Nvidia

The Linux kernel for our Kubuntu Focus computers continues to see security enhancements and bug fixes. Through the winter and spring, we have tested and updated 7 kernels. The current kernels at the time of writing are 5.19.0-32 (HWE, Jammy) and 5.15.0.56 (HWE, Focal).

Peripherals

We use a comprehensive suite of automated and manual tests to help ensure every kernel, driver, and KDE Plasma desktop upgrade works well on every model we’ve ever sold, before we include them in your regular software upgrades. Tests include sleep-and-resume, as well as many peripherals such as mouse, Bluetooth, keyboard, microphone, webcam, and multi-monitors with sound. If we find any issues, we work with the upstream developers or maintainers to get them fixed so you don't have to.

KDE Plasma 5.27 Development

We continue to work with the KDE and Kubuntu teams to extensively test Plasma software before and after release. In some cases, we have also provided patches to help improve the software. The current Plasma version is 5.24, and we are testing and refining support for 5.27. If Kubuntu decides to backport this to 22.04 LTS, we will be ready with extensive support updates. However, please be patient; this is a big change, and there is no guarantee that 5.27 will become available. As always, our goal is to provide a reliable and enjoyable system you can rely on every day.

Support From Focus AND the Community

Kubuntu Focus provides curated, searchable “Guided Solution” articles on many aspects of your system. Visit KFocus Support to find authoritative answers right away instead of spending time sifting through forums and social posts to distill an answer – we do that so you don’t have to! All Kubuntu Focus devices run standard Kubuntu 22.04 LTS by default. The Focus team adds tools, hardware optimization, and curation on top of this instead of creating a separate distribution. This means almost all articles, tutorials, and guides found on the web for Kubuntu – and many for Ubuntu - also apply to the Focus. Click here for a list of community resources that are available.

As always, if you have questions, please write support@kfocus.org or call 844-536-2871.

Sincerely, The Kubuntu Focus Team

Announcing the XE Gen 2 GEN 2

27 Mar 2023: 14-inch Laptop With Exceptional Performance

The Kubuntu Focus Team announces the second generation of the powerful Focus XE laptop. This ultra-portable and affordable laptop 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.

Kubuntu Focus XE GEN 2 Front View

This generation features the i7-1260P CPU, which provides a 16% and 60% boost in single and multi-core Geekbench 5 scores. In real life, this translates into very snappy performance and the ability to handle large, multi-process tasks with speed and ease. Other highlights of this laptop are the numerous high-speed audio and data ports, Thunderbolt 4, and the capacity to attach multiple 4K displays. Customers can tailor their system with up to 64GB of high-speed 3200Mhz Dual-Channel RAM, up to 2TB of 7,450 MBps NVMe storage, and optional no-cost disk encryption. They are shipping now, and the base model starts at $895.

Kubuntu Focus NX GEN 2 Ports
About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus sells officially branded Kubuntu computers designed to work out-of-the-box with the beautiful-and-intuitive KDE desktop and industry-standard Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. Focus systems are designed to save time and hassle every day with hardware optimizations, curated apps, Focus Tools, HOWTOs designed for your system, and unmatched Linux support. Typical customers are data scientists, engineers, developers, and creators. Learn more at kfocus.org.

“We started Kubuntu Focus over 3 years ago with a focus on adding value to an already great Kubuntu distribution and community. Instead of reinventing wheels, we created new tools and optimizations so everyone can have a great out-of-the-box experience and save time and hassle every day. Many of these solutions have already been upstreamed, and many more are on the way. Our team has also rigorously tested, reported, and helped fix bugs with KDE, Kubuntu, and Ubuntu. This collaboration benefits our customers and the entire community, and we thank all the wonderful people on these teams that make it all possible," stated Michael Mikowski, Technical Product Manager.

Media Contact

Press images and materials are available here.

Please direct questions to sales@kfocus.org, or call 1-844-536-2871

Announcing the Focus NX GEN 2

14 Feb 2023: Compact Structure, Reliable Power

Today the Kubuntu Focus team announced NX GEN 2, the second generation of the Focus NX small form-factor desktop. This is their fourth model optimized for Kubuntu 22.04 LTS and the KDE Plasma interface.

Kubuntu Focus NX GEN 2 Quarter Shot

This new model is small, fast, quiet, and power-efficient, with a total system TDP of just 35 Watts. The i7-1260P 12th-generation Intel® CPU has 12 cores and 16 threads, providing performance that outstrips HEDT CPUs from just a few years ago. The IRIS Xe iGPU is also 3x faster than the 10th-generation and can drive up to four 4K displays concurrently. Systems start at $795 and are built to order with up to 64 GB of 3200 Mhz dual-channel RAM, 6 TB of total storage (2 TB NVMe, 4 TB SSD), and optional full-disk encryption.

The NX GEN 2 is rated for 24/7 operation and has many high-speed ports and features to support high-performance devices:

Kubuntu Focus NX GEN 2 Ports

“TWe feel the NX GEN 2 is a great replacement for 2- or 3-year-old high-performance systems: its CPU performance is excellent, yet it is far quieter and uses much less space and power,” says Michael Mikowski, Technical Product Manager. “The second generation improves on the first with better single- and multi-core performance, greater expandability, and updated ports.

Of course, the excellent hardware is only half of the story. Like with all our systems, we constantly test and distribute hardware optimizations through regular package upgrades. For example, the hardware-support subsystem for the NX GEN 2 adjusts the iGPU configuration to minimize flicker and maximize performance. We also ensure the system and kernel configuration are eGPU-ready and tested

Kubuntu Focus NX GEN 2 Back
About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus works to provide the best out-of-the-box Linux experience and saves customers time every day by building on KDE Plasma LTS and Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with:

Testimonial

... Kubuntu Focus isn’t just a system, it’s also quite a curation of tools and software and libraries for specific applications. What I like about this use-case approach is that it gives solid actual recommendations about how you can use the power of Linux and Open Source Software in the real world ...

Additional Information

Announcing kfocus-source

01 Dec 2022: Scratch Your Itch

Kubuntu Focus Source

The Kubuntu Focus team today announced the immediate availability of kfocus-source, a unified GitHub repository containing the tools and integrations provided with the Kubuntu Focus Suite. This software has always been published under the GPLv2 license, but now with kfocus-source, it’s easier to review and contribute within the familiar GitHub interface.

GitHub

The kfocus-source repository provides Focus Tools, Curated Apps, UX preferences, and hardware optimizations that work in harmony with standard Kubuntu 22.04 LTS. It is carefully designed to avoid reinventing the wheel and does not, for example, contain a variation of an entire operating system, or a shell on top of it. This adds unique value to an already vibrant and broadly supported ecosystem and community.

Previously, the tools in the Kubuntu Focus Suite were available from various projects on GitHub and Launchpad. Now, with kfocus-source, developers can easily work with all the software from one unified repository. The Kubuntu Focus Team believes this is the next step in being a part of the greater Ubuntu community and looks forward to working with more developers to create solutions they want and need.

Launchpad

The Kubuntu Focus Team Launchpad PPA, hosted by Canonical, uses the code in kfocus-source to build and publish the Kubuntu Focus Suite packages. This ensures that they are built against the default Ubuntu repositories without any additions or subtractions, and that the toolchain remains intact without modification. This ensures that the dependencies in the packages are correct and illustrates the team’s dedication to working with and contributing to the Ubuntu ecosystem.

Interested developers are encouraged to explore the kfocus-source repository here. Please direct questions to support@kfocus.org or call 844-536-2871.

Kubuntu Focus Tools
About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus sells officially branded Kubuntu computers designed to work out-of-the-box with the beautiful-and-intuitive KDE desktop and industry-standard Ubuntu® 22.04 LTS. Their systems are designed to save time and hassle every day with hardware optimizations, curated apps, Focus Tools, HOWTOs designed for your system, and unmatched Linux-first support. Typical customers are data scientists, engineers, developers, and creators. Learn more at https://kfocus.org.

Company Statements

Michael Mikowski, Technical Product Manager, says, “We started Kubuntu Focus over 3 years ago with the goal of contributing to an already excellent Kubuntu distribution and community. I think we have achieved a lot of that: we created additional tools, guidance, and hardware optimizations to help users have a great out-of-the-box experience. And we’ve contributed many of these solutions upstream with more on the way. We appreciate and thank all the wonderful people at Ubuntu, KDE, and Kubuntu that make all this possible.”

Media Contact

Please direct questions to TellMeMore@kfocus.org, or call 1-844-536-2871. Press images are available from the media shared drive.

Validated Kernel Upgrades, ML Apps, Updated ISO

06 Oct 2022: We Test, so you don't have to.

Kubuntu Focus systems have received several upgrades we wanted to share with you. Highlights include a comprehensive upgrade of the Deep Learning Suite and enhanced support for External GPUs (eGPUs) on the Focus NX.

Any improvements described below are:

Kernel Upgrades: Tested So You Don't Have To

Ubuntu constantly updates the Linux kernel to improve security, fix bugs, and enhance hardware support. Both supported Kubuntu LTS releases received kernel upgrades this month:

Peripherals

All kernel upgrades are tested on every Focus model to ensure features and peripherals continue to work as expected on sign-in, suspend, resume, and hot-plug. Key test points include keyboards, mice, Wi-Fi, ethernet, bluetooth, headphones, webcams, and multi-monitors.

Updates to Machine Learning

The Kubuntu Focus Deep Learning Suite was updated to use the most current stable libraries and tools:

Type kfocus-conda in a terminal to start the suite. If your environment requires the older libraries, you can still use the legacy suite kfocus-conda-legacy-v01. In fact, the upgraded script inspects any installation and will suggest using the legacy script if needed.

Updated Kubuntu Focus ISO
USB Key

You can download the 2022-09-16 ISO, Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with KFS, from https://kfocus.org/try. You can use an earlier version of the ISO, but this one requires the fewest updates after installation. This contains Kubuntu 22.04 LTS along with Focus Tools and optimizations for your hardware.

Fenced Syntax Highlighting for Markdown in Vim

New users now see fenced syntax highlighting when editing Markdown documents in Vim. We find this provides a new level of clarity to Markdown:

Fenced Markdown VIM

You can add this capability to existing users by adding the following lines to ~/.vimrc:

" =====[ Markdown Enhancements for Embedded Code Syntax ] == " https://vimtricks.com/p/highlight-syntax-inside-markdown/ " See :r !ls /usr/share/vim/vim82/syntax/ " let g:markdown_fenced_languages = [ 'bash', 'css', 'erb=eruby', 'javascript', 'js=javascript', 'json', 'html', 'node=javascript', 'perl', 'php=perl', 'python', 'ruby', 'sass', 'xml', 'vim' ]
BackInTime Now Skips Network File Systems

New users now enjoy a BackInTime configuration where network file systems are skipped by default. If, for example, one has their music collection on a separate disk found in their home directory, BackInTime will no longer back it up by default.

You can add this capability to existing users by changing two lines in ~/.config/backintime/config:

# From: profile1.snapshots.rsync_options.enabled=false profile1.snapshots.rsync_options.value= # To: profile1.snapshots.rsync_options.enabled=true profile1.snapshots.rsync_options.value=-x
Improved eGPU Support on NX

The hardware optimization subsystem now provides improved eGPU support to Focus NX systems. A key change allows the initial RAM disk to accommodate both Intel and Nvidia drivers without running out of space on boot with the updated kernel.

Videos In The News

In the past few weeks, two reviewers have shared their thoughts on Kubuntu Focus. InfinitelyGalactic surprised us with a review of Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with KFS, and Nicco From KDE has posted his initial thoughts on the Focus NX. You can also see them both on the Features page.

As always, if you have questions, please write support@kfocus.org or call 844-536-2871.

Sincerely, the Kubuntu Focus Team

New NX Model, Validated Kernels, Improved Fan

09 Sep 2022: Validated Software on a MiniPC

Support for Kubuntu 20.04 LTS continues through April 2023, however, it is in maintenance mode. Unless otherwise noted, our updates apply to 22.04.

In Case You Missed It: A New Kubuntu Focus Computer
Focus NX

We are now shipping the Kubuntu Focus NX! This is a full-featured, expandable desktop computer in a small package. We’re very proud of this product and you should be too since this would not be possible without your support. Check it out!

Validated Kernels

The Linux kernel for our Kubuntu Focus computers continues to see security enhancements and bug fixes. Through the summer, we have tested and updated a total of 9 kernels. For our two currently supported Kubuntu operating systems, the kernels are as follows:

We use a comprehensive suite of automated and manual tests to help ensure every kernel, driver, and KDE Plasma desktop works well before including them in your automatic updates. Tests include peripherals such as mouse, Bluetooth, keyboard, microphone, webcam, multi-monitor through many use cases including sleep and resume. If we find any issues, we work with the upstream developers or maintainers to get them fixed so you don't have to.

Upgrading from 20.04 to 22.04
Upgrade Menu

As always, we recommend a clean installation to avoid issues whenever possible using our clean installation guide. However, if you cannot do that for whatever reason, we have recently released an in-place release upgrader tool that will hopefully help alleviate common issues that you might come across. You can find this upgrader in the Kubuntu Focus menu in the Application Launcher.

Automatic Hardware Configuration

You may have noticed when you sign in after an update that your system automatically did some configurations. This was to enable some new hardware optimizations customized for your model of Kubuntu Focus computer. These optimizations come after hours of research and testing by the Kubuntu Focus team to give your systems the best possible experience, performance, and energy usage.

Fan Profile Utility
Fan Icon

You now have a higher amount of control over the fans on your Kubuntu Focus notebook computer! By default, the power profile is set to a quiet profile, but it will run warmer under heavier workloads. To switch to a more linear, cooler profile, run the fan profile utility and select “Linear (Performance)”. This may also be desirable when playing games.

Another tip: When using the “Linear (Performance)” mode, you can toggle your fans to full-speed mode by pressing [FN][1]. This is especially helpful for high CPU- or GPU-intensive tasks to keep those processors cool and to increase the longevity of your Kubuntu Focus computer.

Community Support

Did you know there’s an entire Kubuntu community able to provide you with support outside of the hardware support we provide? Here’s just some of the community support that’s out there:

All of this information is available in the Kubuntu Focus help guide found in the desktop link or the launcher menu.

As always, if you have questions, please write support@kfocus.org or call 844-536-2871.

Sincerely, the Kubuntu Focus Team

Announcing the Focus NX GEN 1

26 Aug 2022: Small Form Factor, Big Capability

Today the Kubuntu Focus team announces their latest system: The Focus NX small form factor desktop. This is their third model optimized for Kubuntu 22.04 LTS and the KDE Plasma interface.

Kubuntu Focus NX Quarter Shot

The Kubuntu Focus NX can be ordered with either the i5-1135G7 or i7-1165G7 11th generation Intel® CPU. Both are fast and power-efficient. They also include the Xe iGPU, which is often 3x faster than the prior-generation and can drive up to four 4K displays concurrently. Systems are built to order and can be customized with up to 64 GB of 3200Mhz dual-channel RAM, 6 TB of total storage (2 TB NVMe, 4 TB SSD), and optional full disk encryption. Prices start at $695.

The NX has many high-speed ports and features to make connecting simple and fun:

Kubuntu Focus NX All Ports

The NX is perfect for developers, creators, and engineers that want or need compatibility with the OS that powers the internet and billions of other devices. We feel its tiny footprint, high performance, and the Kubuntu 22.04 LTS OS makes it a great choice for development workstations, office servers, and media centers. Thanks to the great port selection, one can easily add an eGPU to run large ML pipelines or turbo-charge rendering performance when needed. — Michael Mikowski, Technical Product Manager, Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus NX Back View
About Kubuntu Focus

Kubuntu Focus works to provide the best out-of-the-box Linux systems that save customers time every day. Optimized for KDE Plasma and Kubuntu LTS.

Paco Nathan is a renowned Machine Learning expert and consultant. Here is what he has to say about his experience with the 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 upgrades. Crunch your data and build large models without waiting for permission

Additional Information

The Kubuntu Focus XE

10 Aug 2022: Thin, Light, Better than Ever

The Kubuntu Focus Team today announced their back-to-school sale featuring a $50 discount on the fast and ultra-portable Focus XE, now starting at $845. Students won’t have to wait either: most orders are “built, tested, and shipped within two business days with no additional express processing fees.” Customers can order the XE with up to 64GB of high-speed 3200Mhz Dual-Channel RAM, up to 2TB of 3500 Gbit/s NVMe storage, additional power supplies, and free full disk encryption. Every system uses the 11th Generation Intel Tiger Lake-UP3 processor in its most powerful 28 W configuration.

We configure all our systems to provide the best out-of-the-box Linux experience for our customers. The XE is proven, affordable, and an ideal choice for students who want or need to understand the OS that powers the world’s IT infrastructure and billions of other devices. We think this form factor is great for highly mobile students: not only is it light and fast, but there are no expensive dongles or docks to forget because all the high-speed ports are built-in. You can, for example, plug in a camera card or attach multiple 4k monitors where ever you go. Thanks to efficient design and our power optimizations, one can enjoy up to 8 hours of real-world battery life. Just toss it in your backpack and go. — Michael Mikowski, Technical Product Manager, Kubuntu Focus

About Kubuntu Focus

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

Kubuntu Focus XE

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. Kubuntu Focus has managed to industrialize this process so that the user has a similar or better experience than on a Mac or Windows. — Jean-Georges Perrin, author of Spark In Action

Additional Information

Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with KFS

11 Jul 2022: Validated on ALL Focus Models

Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with KFS (Kubuntu Focus Suite) is ready for your system! This ISO includes Kubuntu 22.04 LTS, KDE Plasma LTS, and Focus Tools, configurations, and optimizations for your hardware. Check out the "Curated Apps" video to see how to install and launch apps while staying focused.

Kubuntu 22.04 LTS with KFS

We've worked since late 2021 to migrate to Kubuntu 22.04 and tested all existing models to ensure the hardware and software function as desired. Validated models include the M1, M2 GEN 1 through M2 GEN 4, and the XE GEN 1. We test kernel and driver updates on all models to ensure your system continues to work as expected.

When you are ready to upgrade, or if you just want to try KFS on your own VM, please use the clean install guide. Remember to back up your data first! Here are just a few of the many improvements found in KFS 22.04 LTS:

Installation supplies
About Kubuntu Focus

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

Write once and deploy with industry-standard Ubuntu® 22.04 LTS and the beautiful KDE Plasma desktop. Learn more at https://kfocus.org.

More Features and Fixes

This is a partial list of features the Focus team has provided for 22.04 support. * Update System Tray GPU Widget * Enable Super-Key Menu Launcher * Improve Virtual Terminal Fonts * Validate Kernels to 5.17.0 * Improve Decrypt Disk Interface II * Expand Web-Launch App and Repos * Validate MATLAB Simulink * Create for Slack desktop sign-in * Prevent Login Overlap on Multiple Screens (SDDM) * Create Post-Install Tool * Enhance System Report Tool * Fix Sleep-Resume USB Issue * Incorporate Fan Curves to Power Profiles * Enhance per-model Hardware Config Application * Enhance Web-Launch to Add On-Demand Repositories * Migrate to Drop-File KeyRing * Update GPU Libs Coordinated ML Package * Package QWE CLI Bookmarks * Audit and Update First-Run Wizard * Audit and Update Feature Guide * Add Quieter Fan Curve Option * Change System Tray GPU Widget Reboot Handler * Add Hi-DPI Support for Desktop Theme Layouts * Refresh JetBrains Integration Support * Upgrade NodeJS to latest LTS * Simplify Sound Configure * Update Hints Widget to Latest Plasma * Fix Decrypt Disk Interface Text Overlap * Add ML Libs Support * Add git-cola as Curated App Web-Launch * Enhance, Secure, Expand Curated App Web-Launch * Wrap Zoom to Ensure Correct Start * Update FocusRx for Jammy * Fix Decrypt Throbber Layout * Update Power Config to Brighten Screen on AC * Audit Power Management for Jammy * Update to GPU 510 Driver * Add Support Firefox Snap Web Launch * Add Support for Alder Lake Power Controls * Add Progress or Wait Bars to Wizards

Additional Information

Announcing the Focus M2 GEN 4

03 May 2022: Everything You Want. Now Better.

The Kubuntu Focus Team announces the availability of the Fourth-Generation M2. This update is a game-changer, with significant improvements in display, CPU, GPU, webcam, speakers, and storage.

Kubuntu Focus Fourth-Generation M2

The trim-and-light M2 GEN 4 laptop is a superb choice for anyone looking for the best out-of-the-box Linux experience with the most powerful mobile hardware. Customers include developers, data scientists, creators, and system administrators. All models are in stock, starting from $1895, and begin shipping the week of 09 May 2022. Improvements from the prior generation include:

Audio and data ports include Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, HDMI, mDP, 2 USB 3.2 ports, RJ-45 Gb Ethernet, 2 multi-purpose audio jacks, and micro SD card reader. Customers can configure their build with a RTX 3060, 3070 Ti, or 3080 Ti, with up to 64GB of high-speed 3200Mhz Dual-Channel RAM, up to 4 TB of NVMe storage, and optional full disk encryption.

About Kubuntu Focus

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

Write once and deploy with industry-standard Ubuntu® 22.04 LTS and the beautiful 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. Kubuntu Focus has managed to industrialize this process so that the user has a similar or better experience than on a Mac or Windows. — Jean-Georges Perrin, author of Spark In Action

Additional Information

See Us on Chris Titus Tech

10 Feb 2022: Interview and Pro Bash

One of our founders, Michael Mikowski, spoke with Chris Titus Tech on 04 February 2022 during a live stream. The first half of the presentation is an open-ended interview which covers many topics, including the philosophy behind Kubuntu Focus. The second half covers hands-on, professional Bash scripting.

Older 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:

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.

Black Friday Sale 2021
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.

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

JetBrains Integration
New and Updated Guided Solutions

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

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.

Kubuntu Focus Tools

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.

Kubuntu Focus Third-Generation M2

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:

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:

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.

Kubuntu Focus XE Now Available

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.

Kubuntu Focus In the News

Focus M2GEN 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).

Focus M2 GEN 2 with RTX 30-series GPU

Announcing Focus M2GEN 2

06 Mar 2021: Featuring RTX 30-Series GPUs

Kubuntu Focus M2 GEN 2

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:

if ! grep -q qwe.source ~/.bashrc; then echo 'source /usr/lib/kfocus-001/lib/qwe.source' \ >> ~/.bashrc; fi source ~/.bashrc qwe -h

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.

Kubuntu Focus February 2021

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

VirtualBox 6.1 Update

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:

sudo apt-get install virtualbox-6.1 sudo apt-get autoremove sudo apt-get clean

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 Focus Themes

Kubuntu Focus Themes

14 Jan 2021: Manage themes in Global Settings

Three Kubuntu Focus Themes are now available. Use System Settings > Global Theme > Kubuntu Focus. After you select a theme, you can restore widgets and layout by enabling [x] Use desktop layout.

These themes set sensible defaults throughout the desktop. For example, after selecting a theme, you may click System Settings > Fonts and click on Defaults to restore the recommended settings provided by the theme.

The Most Unique Laptop

21 Dec 2020: Chris Titus Daily Driver

Chris Titus dives deep into the Kubuntu Focus M2. He shares his findings in The Most Unique Laptop video.

Chris puts the Focus M2 through a full workout. He runs performance tests, virtualization, machine learning, gaming, and more. He also assesses the quality of the hardware, the components, and customer support. Here are some of our favorite quotes:

Check out all the features that make the Focus special on this website. Order yours today and it ships tomorrow!

NVIDIA Driver 460

NVIDIA Driver 460

14 Jan 2021: Validation Complete

After comprehensive testing, we have updated NVIDIA drivers. Regression tests include suspend-resume, OpenGL and Vulkan, Deep Learning, Optix, and video encoding.

This driver provides some welcome improvements. Compositing is faster and tearing appears reduced. If you want to check your installation, you may run FocusRx by entering the following into a terminal:

# Elect to run package-check when prompted focusrx -f

Suspend and resume have been improved. We have eliminated graphical artifacts with adjustments to KDE and NVIDIA configurations. We now also ensure the JetBrains Toolbox app (along with others) no longer blocks suspend.

Hardware Enablement Stack

Hardware Enablement Stack

14 Jan 2021: Latest Kernels and Drivers

The Focus suite enables the OEM stack. This means normal updates install newer but stable versions of the kernel. This provides more features, improved drivers, and sometimes improved performance.

APT Rollback

APT Rollback

14 Jan 2021: Select and Rollback Package Installations

You may now roll back package installations using apt-rollback. We had found this very useful in listing and undoing recent package changes. We hope you like it too!

MacBook Pro Replacement?

18 Dec 2020: Jeff Geerlings YouTube Review

Jeff Geerling, a vested Mac user and Explorer of ALL THE THINGS technology, deep dives in this comparative review. For the user considering the move from Mac, Kubuntu Focus is a clear winner in performance and features.

For the already invested Apple Mac user, the Kubuntu Focus is probably as close as you can get, and if cloud is a part of your vista then that’s probably enough to tip the balance.

Jeff provides a thorough and fair YouTube review with similar in blog format. Jeff’s Photography and Videography skills are first class. Subscribe to his YouTube channel.

Kubuntu Focus Recommendation

Kubuntu Focus Recommendation

10 Dec 2020: The only contender

The Kubuntu Focus is listed as the only recommended system on Chris Titus 2020 Buyers Guide. “If you want to see something cool for a laptop in 2020, check out this 'little' machine.”

NEW power saving GPU Switcher

NEW power saving GPU Switcher

15 Dec 2020: NVIDIA/Intel GPU Switcher

Users who install the latest software update will receive a new user-friendly GPU switcher system tray widget. This widget switches between the discreet NVIDIA RTX for Graphics performance, or the Intel integrated GPU for power efficiency, in a single click.

HOLIDAY SALE

HOLIDAY SALE

26 Nov 2020: Save $400 or More on an M2

Save $400 now on the Kubuntu Focus M2 with our Holiday sales event.

You can save even more with the certain options. Call Sales at 844-536-2871 to find out how. We are still shipping next day, but order soon because stock is limited.

Evolved Desktop Theme

Evolved Desktop Theme

16 Nov 2020: Wallpaper and Widgets Update

Seamless integration and ease of use are key to delivering Power out of the Box to our customers, and that includeds providing a beautiful product. Today the Kubuntu Focus team released an evolution of the Focus desktop theme with new wallpapers and widgets. And there is more to come soon!

If you miss the old wallpaper, you can always return to it by right-mouse-click on the desktop and selecting Configure Desktop. There are also additional wallpapers you can use for the background or lock screen.

This update is available now to all Kubuntu Focus users through normal system updates.

Expanded Guided Solutions

Expanded Guided Solutions

31 Oct 2020: Email and Multiple Displays Added

We have expanded Guided Solutions. New articles include Emails-Calendars-Contacts and External Displays. We also reviewed and updated other articles to ensure they are current.

Please write support@kfocus.org or call 844-536-2871 if you have any questions.

Announcing the M2

Announcing the M2

29 Sep 2020: The Next Generation Kubuntu Focus

The Ultimate Linux Laptop just got better. The Kubuntu Focus team announces the release of the M2, the next 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 numerous Guided Solutions and unparalleled support, your shortest path to Linux success is a Focus system.

The new M2 is smaller, lighter, and more ergonomic. It features a faster 10th-generation Intel 5.1 GHz 8c/16t CPU, 3200 MHz RAM, better cooling, and longer battery life. It is a power workstation wrapped up in a lightweight laptop.

Get unparalleled customer support. The Focus team provides 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.

Find additional product photos and graphics at the shared drive. If you have any questions, please call 844-536-2871.

Guided Solutions Expanded

18 Jun 2020: Content and Navigation

Guided Solutions have been expanded and now have more consistent content and navigation. The templating engine runs on NodeJS and was writing on the Kubuntu Focus using IntelliJ Ultimate.

Deep Learning Updated

Deep Learning Updated

11 May 2020: TensorFlow 2.2.0 and Benchmarks

Deep Learning now includes TensorFlow 2.2.0 and AI Benchmarks. These capabilities are delivered through standard daily updates in the kfocus-001-main package, version 1.1.5-1 or later.

Other changes in kfocus-001-main_1.1.5-1 are listed below.

Create a new user to see the changes marked with an asterisk (*).

Update the Anaconda installation by entering the following code into a terminal.

# Backup current installation cd ~/; cp -a anaconda3 anaconda3.backup; # Run the anaconda suite kfocus-001-conda # When prompted, replace the current TensorFlow environment. # When prompted, run the AI benchmarks.

Enterprise 20.04 LTS Announced

07 May 2020: Press Release 20.04 LTS Enterprise

The Focus team today announced the availability of Kubuntu 20.04 LTS on the Linux laptop designed especially for the Enterprise.

This device is authorized by Kubuntu and a major portion of each sale is donated to the Kubuntu Council. All sales help make Kubuntu and Focus systems even better.

Here’s what others are saying about The Kubuntu Focus:

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!

Kubuntu 20.04
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