My message to System76

[outdooricon]

I've been following your hardware development for awhile and I've gotta say that I'm impressed by your professionalism and your products. Your koala is what impresses me the most, and I can't wait untill I'm able to buy one. However, a few of your products look bad (the Ratel comes to mind especially). Now, the reason why I'm getting on you about bad looking products is because I believe you guys have a chance to make linux chic, cool like the Apple products are nowadays. For example, if I'm at a bookstore and I'm typing away on a beautiful catchy looking laptop, people will notice (I know this because I have a Sony TX650, which is a tiny eye-catching laptop and I get plenty of comments with that). When people notice, then that opens up opportuinities for talking about Linux, Ubuntu, and your product line. I'm placing a lot of responsibility on you guys by saying this, but I realy think you guys could be the ones to make linux trendy, and I think from looking at Apple, trendy and chic is a good thing. Your koala looks awesome, especially your new black one. Many kudos on that. Your new gazelle is a step in the right direction, but not catchy enough. Please don't just stay with boring designs that all the Windows boxes have, let's break out of that fold. Your website is very well designed, great job on that too! I don't know what it's like to build laptops, and how it may constrain you to certain styles, but I would buy a laptop from you guys in heartbeat if it was like my Sony TX. If you can make Ubuntu and System76 a culture, Linux popularity will explode. Also, what about portable media players (at the very least you could sell iAudio devices like the T2). I saw your post about a media player, a real sleak looking functional media player would be excellent! I just really think you guys are doing a great job and can really affect the future of linux and Ubuntu. Please don't read this as a rant but as my excitement of what you guys could do.

[crichell]

Thanks for the suggestions - I'm completely with you on the importance of aesthetics and we aim to be creative, complete, and competitive in our product line development. The support of the community and our customers has allowed us to do more than expected in a short amount of time. Just like any good open source project we work to continually improve.

[rfruth]

I agree the Ratel mini tower is butt ugly but for $ 399.00 i'll put a potted plant in front of it, wish it looked like this
17299

[amoore]

I agree the Ratel mini tower is butt ugly but for $ 399.00 i'll put a potted plant in front of it, wish it looked like this
17299

Thank god it doesn't!!!!](*,)

If I wanted a flux capacitor I'd just call Doc. By the way have you seen Marty?:-D

Often the best designs are timeless. I have an Apple iBook that is from 2000 and many people think that its brand new. Why, cause its got a classic design and smooth lines.

[rfruth]

I have my eye on a iMac but for $ 1200.00 it ought to look good ...

[jhofmann]

I must be strange. I didn't buy the computer to look AT it. I bought it to use as a tool, not an object d'art.

If my System76 laptop looks strange to some people, my words to them are "Get used to it, there's going to be a lot more of them around!"

==
Jim

[outdooricon]

lol, hopefully there will be a lot around. I actually by mine for combination of looks and functionality. Why not combine both?

I must be strange. I didn't buy the computer to look AT it. I bought it to use as a tool, not an object d'art.

If my System76 laptop looks strange to some people, my words to them are "Get used to it, there's going to be a lot more of them around!"

==
Jim

[cunawarit]

I personally like the clean cut look of the Ratel. It has a very entry-level server-ish look to it, I haven't seen in in person, but from the pics it looks more like a serious computer than most entry level desktops.

I like it!

And you are right outdooricon, the Koalas look GREAT!!!

[nobu]

I also think that what system76 is doing is great for ubuntu and linux in general. What I think that system76 can do is tweak ubuntu a little to give the best experience possible to the user. i.e. maybe having a nicer looking user interface, having xgl/compiz to render a more animated desktop, making boot up faster....and I am sure their are plenty more tweaks that can be done that I just can't think of right now. Maybe you can call it Ubuntu76.

What linux OS really lacks is a consumer product. Something that can compete with Windows and Macs. The design is essential of both the computer and the OS. Ubuntu as it is, is very well polished but it needs a little more flare to catch peoples eye. And the design of the computer is also essential to catch the consumers eye. Macs are the best at it with the OS and Computer design.

I have to say thou your laptops look great. Keep up the good work.

[kevinlyfellow]

maybe having a nicer looking user interface

No way! I love brown, its a relief to look at an ubuntu desktop after seeing the traditional blues and greens. What I would suggest is making a few different custom themes included with the computer instead of moving away from the ubuntu default... it would be a little something for a user to discover!

[crichell]

I'm pleased with Ubuntu's look too. The new Desktop Effects team is doing a good job of polishing Edgy too.

[DRM_free]

The System76 desktop computers aren't featured on the front page of your website. For a long time I didn't even realize you are selling desktops because there was no picture of a desktop on the main page. Other vendors (Dell, Gateway, HP) have a preview of all the categories of products that they sell on their main page.

I also suggest putting the /etc category last in the menu, since it contains fun stuff that is less important than Servers and Business Solutions.

[crichell]

thanks for the suggestion - we've been thinking of putting desktops on the front. haven't really decided yet

[Gargamella]

i think Ratel is right for 399€:it is a cheap tower pc.
i like very much black koala...but as i said in another post the bad thing is shipping cost to europe ...

i thing that in my opinion may be fantastic,might be customizable case colors and pictures on it (stripes,shapes,logos...) : a sort of PIMP MY CASE :D

the portable media players is a very very hard sector i think...i would buy a S76 one but all the ipod-slaves not.

however your pcs are very good looking, congratz by me too :D

[dlai]

I'm looking into buying one of your Gazelle Performance, I really like the design, and trust me that is not often with laptops. But I'm from Denmark, do you have any danish keyboards available?

[alecjw]

I'm looking into buying one of your Gazelle Performance, I really like the design, and trust me that is not often with laptops. But I'm from Denmark, do you have any danish keyboards available?

Last time I checked, thay only had US keyboards.



I think it would be pretty cool if there was a lighting up circle of friends on the back of the laptops, like the Mac Book Pros (see attached picture). Then THAT would draw attention to the ubuntuness.

[outdooricon]

I think it would be pretty cool if there was a lighting up circle of friends on the back of the laptops, like the Mac Book Pros (see attached picture). Then THAT would draw attention to the ubuntuness.

oooo, yes, I definitely agree with that!

[alecjw]

I think it would be pretty cool if there was a lighting up circle of friends on the back of the laptops, like the Mac Book Pros (see attached picture). Then THAT would draw attention to the ubuntuness.

oooo, yes, I definitely agree with that!

So here are my prototypes...

Made in Gimp:)

[crichell]

Those are great - i like the lighted up idea although with the Ubuntu logo it reminds me of the old SIMON memory game.

[outdooricon]

Those are great - i like the lighted up idea although with the Ubuntu logo it reminds me of the old SIMON memory game.

I like the one with smaller logo the best, however, I was envisioning the logo on a black laptop with the logo not being colored, just lighting up white... that would be less remiscient of the SIMON game, huh crichell ;).

[Gargamella]

i think it would be smarter if the logo is engraved.

Maybe custimazible with your name ;D

[alecjw]

Hmmm... Making the light-up logo white would be a good idea I suppose. That way it wouldn't be specific to Ubuntu, but would be good for Kubuntu or Xubuntu too.

[dlai]

I agree that it should not be ubuntu-specific as well! But anyway I like the idea

[alecjw]

How are these? If some on knows how to emboss images, can someone make something like this, but with the ubuntu logo embossed please, because if it ever happens, it will probably be embossed like the apple one.

[alecjw]

Here's the coloured one on a black laptop...

[alecjw]

... and black laptop, white logo, like outdooricon suggested.

[crichell]

This thread has got me thinking - maybe a laptop design contest or something of the sort - we'd need our system76 logo and the ubuntu logo on the top - the best design becomes a system76 laptop! --just a thought

[John.Michael.Kane]

crichell how about best design wins the entrant a shot at a free laptop or one of your low cost desktop systems.

You may get some of Graphic artist around here to really pull out the stops..

[crichell]

That's what I was thinking - best design wins laptop with their design on it.

[alecjw]

Free laptop!? OK! To the drawing board!

Edit: Oooops. I sold it for a bigger hard drive...

[outdooricon]

... and black laptop, white logo, like outdooricon suggested.

Sweet!

Crichell, I like your idea about the contest, I assume that the designs would allow for backlit logo's and the such? What would the limitations be on what can be done to the laptops. Also, I assume the graphic design would have to be done to one of your current models, like the gazelle performance?

[alecjw]

Could you post some 360 degree views of you laptops - there are only front views on the website and it would be hard to design anything from them.

[crichell]

Crichell, I like your idea about the contest, I assume that the designs would allow for backlit logo's and the such? What would the limitations be on what can be done to the laptops. Also, I assume the graphic design would have to be done to one of your current models, like the gazelle performance?

Could you post some 360 degree views of you laptops - there are only front views on the website and it would be hard to design anything from them.

We'll put together design specifications - we're still discussing this so I'll keep you guys posted. Keep any ideas coming though - they're helpfull in developing a good program.

[dlai]

Still, support for other keyboards than US, and furthermore a better graphics card, then I would buy it as fast as I could. Maybe retailers in other countries than US, might be interested if other keyboards were present. I know someone made a initiative like yours in the Netherlands!

[astral-1]

personally i would be very interested in one of the system76 laptops.. unfortunately they don't ship to denmark (or europe at all) I do hope that they will figure out something in a decent timeframe.

The Idea with the design contest would be a very cool idea, but i thnik we would need a lot of pictures of the laptops (read: more than those on your website)

/Astral-1

[saxamo]

I haven't read many of the posts but I can say that my black darter has gotten lots of attention and remarks. Frequently people will ask my about it because it's so small and it almost always leads to a discussion of ubuntu and system76. Y'all are great and you can be pretty sure that my next computer many years down the line will be a system76 one...

[tedrampart]

since we're tossing ideas around.. I just thought of a good one regarding batteries and spare batteries..

since the option to buy an extra battery is availible.. why not offer battery chargers as well? I was looking for one for my gazp3, and found one, so they exist (didnt think they did haha)..

I found this to be handy since I run on the battery mostly, and having a charger to be able to charge up the spare while I'm out for an hour would be sweet!..

[jsmidt]

+1 to the idea that system 76 become the bmw of the Linux world.

Now, I am all for people jumping on the low-end pc market, since there is a lot to be made there, but it would be nice to have people say, "I want a styling laptop designed to run Linux on, better go with System 76." :)

[Squish]

+2 to being the new BMW of the linux world

Better to do it well, than to do it half assed.
Leave that to everex... to which I have nothing against, but it would be unfair to compare a 200 dollar LC, to anything at system76

[theproc64]

I love what you guys are doing and my next laptop will probably be bought from you. Unluckily, the dell that I bought through the school has an ubsurdly good warranty so I won't be getting a new laptop for a few years. It would be nice if you had some links on your website to the ubuntu documentation which is very useful for people new to ubuntu. You should also have the link to the ubuntu forums which I have found quite useful. Keep up the good work.

[thomasaaron]

From the web page, you can go to: Support >> Knowledge Base.

[Z_o-s-o]

I like the idea of having the light-up ubuntu logo on the higher end System 76 laptops, but is the idea feasible?

[thomasaaron]

I've heard them talking about something like that in R&D in the past.
Don't be surprised if it happens some day.

[farruinn]

I like the idea of having the light-up ubuntu logo on the higher end System 76 laptops, but is the idea feasible?

Not sure what you mean by feasible, but I'm sure that with laptops like the iBook etc the light just comes from the LCD backlight.

[Z_o-s-o]

I didn't know that it came from the backlight for the screen.

Also, I think that a specialized system76 logo would look better on the lid that an Ubuntu logo, if you guys chose to make a logo that would illuminate, after all, the system76 logo is more versatile than just and Ubuntu logo.

[perce]

Why not Tux? He's so cute!

[Vadi]

Er well you wouldn't want a business laptop looking cute.

Personally I'd like both system76 and ubuntu logos.

[Z_o-s-o]

Yeah if there was a way to but on the system76 logo and ubuntu and not make it look crowded or busy, id be for it.

[compholio]

Yeah if there was a way to but on the system76 logo and ubuntu and not make it look crowded or busy, id be for it.

I'd like it if the ubuntu sticker be made a little bit better, my laptop is only a couple months old and the cover slip already came off and the logo wore away.

[Z_o-s-o]

Meh stickers arent that great.

Now if there were a laptop that got a light up lid logo, the rest of the laptop would have to look extra sleek as well. Kinda like a Serval but thinner and sleeker.

[kevin11951]

well... like everyone else, here is my idea for a Ubuntu/76 logo on the computers.

just look at the attachments!

and please don't sue me!

[Vadi]

I like that, but also on my serval 3 it says "system 76" on the back already - would be nice if there was a small ubuntu logo attached to it.

[Z_o-s-o]

Now shrink it and make it glow and itll be perfect.

[thomasaaron]

kevin11951,

I passed your design onto THE BOSSES.
Don't know if it'll go anywhere, but we're listening...

Best,
Tom

[farruinn]

Very nice idea, although I would recommend removing the square around "76" and making the whole thing slightly smaller. Also, on the serval the logo would be upside down :) That seemed to work for Apple for years though!

If System 76 started doing these I would only request that it not add to the manufacturing time. I ordered my serval last week and the wait is killing me :)

[Kevanx]

Well, I don't know about the first poster, but I just got my laptop yesterday (serval 15.4"), and I have to say that it's one of the sexiest PC's I have ever seen. The stainless steel is a bit much, but it is definitely unique, durable, and flashy - no pun intended. But the black body - luscious. Nice matte, without looking boring, brushed steel buttons, with the power button centered above the keyboard, and a nice blue LED glow while it's running... much better than I was anticipating.

As for the branding, it's simple and neat. That's part of why apple has done so well - its logo hasn't needed so much as a tweak (except perhaps losing the rainbow stripes) since the company started.

System76, I think it's safe to say that if you do seek out a branding upgrade, you should definitely put it to the ubuntu community as a contest!

[thomasaaron]

Yes, there has been some talk about that here in the office.
Not sure when it will happen, but I've got a pretty good hunch it will.

[DRM_free]

Keep your brand intact by displaying the full word "System76" instead of just 76. These computers are going to be walking advertisements for you, and people who see them will google for what is displayed on the computer case. Googling for "76" won't necessarily bring up System76.

Also, Canonical might have a trademark on the "holding hands" logo so you might have to come up with a new one. A peguin would be nice...