Kubuntu Focus, the manufacturer that makes Kubuntu Linux-only PCs, has announced a new workstation-level laptop, the Focus Zr Gen 1. The heavy-duty laptop is meant to be a desktop replacement with its dedicated GPU options.
You can now configure your order for the first Focus Zr laptop with its 18-inch WQXGA LCD panel that supports 2560×1600 resolution and Nvidia’s G-Sync. In terms of processing power, the Kubuntu-powered laptop contains an Intel Ultra 9 275HX with 24 cores and a maximum clock speed of 5.4GHz. You get to choose the Nvidia Geforce RTX 5080 that comes with 16GB of video RAM, or an additional $800 you can upgrade to the 5090 and its whopping 24GB VRAM total.
In terms of storage and memory, the base configuration includes a 1TB internal SSD that uses the PCIe 5.0 standard. There are slots for three more storage disks, and you can configure the RAM from 32GB all the way up to 192GB of DDR5 memory. This isn’t meant for your everyday LibreOffice-and-Firefox workloads.
Connectivity-wise, you get the latest Wi-Fi 7 support and dual 2.5-gigabit Ethernet ports. It connects to other devices via Bluetooth 5.4, HDMI 2.1, and two Thunderbolt 5 USB Type-C ports. There’s also a microSD card reader, two Gen 3.2 USB-A ports, and a good ol’ 3.5mm audio jack with mic support.
The Focus Zr is a new product line for Kubuntu Focus. Until now, the Focus M2 Gen 6 was its most powerful offering. For those who don’t want a laptop at all, the Focus Nx Gen 3 mini PC was just announced last month. I’m writing this article on a Focus Ir14, the smallest and most affordable laptop in the lineup. I wrote recently that I’m a year in with the Ir14 and pretty satisfied with the purchase. The Focus Zr though packs a punch much bigger than what I typically need, to be frank.
The announcement of the Focus Zr comes at a time when Windows laptop owners face a crossroads, with the final free update for Windows 10 is just a few short months away. On top of that, Windows has become even more bloated than before with Microsoft’s Copilot push. Switching your computer’s OS to Linux is possible, but that takes technical knowledge and confidence many don’t have. A simpler option is to simply buy a computer with Linux pre-installed, like the Focus Zr.
Head to the Focus Zr Gen 1 order page if you want to start configuring. Be prepared to open that wallet, though; its base configuration will run you just over four grand. Thankfully, shipping is free within the continental US and Canada, though the order page notes that the current tariff debacle introduces some cost uncertainty for Canadian customers.
Source: EIN Presswire