Shafetech intros Ubuntu notebooks

A young startup named Shafetech has launched its first full line of computers, ranging from desktops to notebooks. The company claims that its systems distance themselves from others by shipping preloaded with Ubuntu Linux 6, providing easy access to the open-source OS without the often difficult barrier of installing software or drivers. Systems are relatively expensive and include the Echo ($849), a 15.4-inch widescreen notebook with a base 1.46GHz Celeron M, 60GB hard disk and DVD/CD-RW drive; the system can be custom-configured with up to a 2GHz Core 2 Duo, a 100GB hard disk and a DVD rewriter. Desktops, in turn, begin with the $299 Apollo, driven by a 2.66GHz Celeron D and an 80GB hard drive. A 17-inch desktop replacement notebook and desktops based on the Core 2 Duo and Athlon 64 X2 are also available.

Every system with a Core 2 Duo or Athlon 64 X2 system can be configured with a 64-bit version of Ubuntu to take advantage of their more advanced instruction sets. Systems also ship with a full year's warranty despite the relatively uncommon OS, the firm says. All six of its systems are available today. [via Digg, pricing may be suspect]