System76 Starling Netbook

Linux system builder System76 upgraded their Starling netbook quietly in Q2 2011 with a 1.66 GHz dual-core Intel Atom N570 processor and the 64 Bit 11.04 release of the Ubuntu operating system.

The netbook features a 10.1" HD WSVGA Super Clear Ultra-Bright LED backlit display is equipped with 2GB DDR3 RAM, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150, VGA port, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, headphone and microphone jacks, SD card reader, a built-in 0.3 MP webcam, Kensington lock, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, and 10/100 Mbit Ethernet.

The base hardware configuration comes with an obsidian black finish, a 250GB hard drive, and a 3 Cell Lithium Ion battery. A model with a coral red soft rubber finish, a larger hard drive up to 640GB or SSD options up to 600GB, as well as a 6 cell smart Li-ION battery are available at additional costs.

The Starling netbook ships with Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) which combines the previous Ubuntu Netbook and Ubuntu Desktop distributions into a single edition. This latest Ubuntu release introduces the Unity interface, a simple, touch-ready environment designed for netbooks and touch-based devices.

According to the System76 product page the latest generation Starling Netbook is available for a base price of US $385.00.

Via Liliputing

Update 15/08/2011

The Starling netbook seems to be history. In System76's support forum for Ubuntu laptops and desktops you can find the following statement:

We discontinued netbooks. We recently reviewed product quality standards and added HD video playback as a requirement. The Starling Netbook and Meerkat NetTop (non-Ion) did not pass our HD video test so they have been discontinued.