The Slimbook Titan is here

Discussion in 'all things UNIX' started by Mrkvonic, Mar 6, 2023.

  1. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Me new rig has arrived. Now, let's have a little review of the Slimbook Titan laptop, equipped with 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 9 5900HX processor, Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics, and two M.2 NVMe drives, covering laptop delivery process, technical specifications, look and feel, build quality and ergonomics, operating system choices, some other early observations, and more. Enjoy.

    https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/slimbook-titan-here.html


    Cheers,
    Mrk
     
  2. Joxx

    Joxx Registered Member

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    Thanks.
    Hope you go into cooling and fan noise in future articles.
     
  3. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    With Kubuntu 22.04 LTS, you can set it up as a semi-rolling release with Kubuntu backports:

    Kubuntu Backports
    Kubuntu Backports Extra

    Mine has been updated to Plasma 5.25.5, KDE Frameworks Version 5.98.0 and QT Version 5.15.3

    The latest version Plasma 5.27 hasn't landed in the backports yet. Means more waiting!
     
  4. cloggy49

    cloggy49 Registered Member

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    Have a look at Tuxedo OS2..based upon Ubuntu 22.04 LTS using Kernel 6.1, KDE Plasma 5.27.2, snapd completely removed, no telemetry and Firefox installed using Muon/Synaptic (so, the normal .deb file) .....bottom line, it is how Kubuntu should be.
     
  5. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Hey NormanF, I actually don't want rolling - I want the LTS stability. But more on that soon.
    Mrk
     
  6. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    I understand! I said semi. Its possible to have both with backports enabled because its usually two years between LTS system packages getting updated. If you want Plasma 5.27 for example, you have to wait til 2024 and by then KDE will probably be on version 6.0.
     
  7. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    They're a German Linux hardware company and makes complete sense they want to integrate German KDE with their hardware and that used to be only available for their Tuxedo computer and laptop line. Now they've released it for general use and hats off to them for retaining the Ubuntu LTS base while still running the latest KDE Plasma version!
     
  8. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Slimbook Titan, Kubuntu, installation, hybrid graphics

    Oh, we have a lot of our plate today. My new laptop saga continues. To wit, a detailed, thorough, follow-up review of the Slimbook Titan laptop, with 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 9 5900HX processor, Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics, and two M.2 NVMe drives, covering Kubuntu 22.04 LTS installation, encrypted LVM, proprietary drivers setup, hybrid graphics and Nvidia on-demand profile, HD scaling on 2K resolution, Plasma desktop configuration, look and feel, Ubuntu Pro setup, hardware compatibility, ergonomics - screen and keyboard, performance, heating, noise, battery life, basic application and games testing, various serious problems with the BIOS, keyboard backlighting and first installation attempt, some bugs and papercuts, and more. Do take a look.

    https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/slimbook-titan-hw-install.html


    Cheers,
    Mrk
     
  9. Joxx

    Joxx Registered Member

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    Thanks.
    One typo:
     
  10. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Thanks!
    Mrk
     
  11. longshots

    longshots Registered Member

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    Well, that was hard work, given your account that things did not go as expected.
    If you had known of these initial hassles would you have explored more hardware options, or do you think the worst is now over?
     
  12. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    PPAs exist for a reason.

    If you're adverse to enabling it, install the RGB tool and see what gives.

    Third party tools on Windows 11 make the experience much more manageable and I suspect that will be true with Kubuntu!
     
  13. Stupendous Man

    Stupendous Man Registered Member

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    Thanks for mentioning Ubuntu Pro.
    I knew of Livepatch, but not of the Expanded Security Maintenance.
    I enabled Ubuntu Pro on my Kubuntu 22.04 systems.
    Right away, a series of updates was available.
    However, I disabled the Ubuntu Pro livepatch client service, as I don't run a server and I don't think I need livepatch.
    Next, I checked the Ubuntu Pro status, now with livepatch client service disabled: sudo pro status
    Looks good, thanks very much!
     
  14. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    There is a third Kubuntu Backport: Experimental

    I was able after enabling it, to update without issue to:

    KDE Plasma 5.27.2 and KDE Frameworks 5.102.0 running on Kubuntu LTS 22.04.

    This is the latest version of KDE Plasma!
     
  15. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    @longshots, I would have still gotten the same machine (keyboard ergonomics notwithstanding), but in general, it's hard finding good keyboards. Asus do them well, though. Now, most laptops I ever had or tried had problems with Linux one way or another - wireless, graphics, display issues, fan, etc.
    @NormanF, I know ppa exist for a reason, but I don't like the method. I will test the utility, though.
    @Stupendous Man , jolly good!

    Mrk
     
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2023
  16. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    OFF-TOPIC: Mrk, is the eventual dawn of the Adaptable Linux Platform the next generation Linux desktop? In other words, should we care Linux is becoming a locked down desktop - you know the btrfs/ostree immutable desktop offered by OpenSUSE and Fedora. What do you think about the death of traditional package management in deb. and rpm? The Linux desktop is changing whether we like it or not or perhaps better put, whether we want it or not.
     
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2023
  17. reasonablePrivacy

    reasonablePrivacy Registered Member

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    I don't think that all Linux distros will become "locked down". Gnu/Linux is FOSS and always there will be people interested in creating traditional packages.

    I second to the idea of writup about new ways of software delivery to Gnu/Linux desktop. Especially big software like web browsers and maybe LibreOffice
     
  18. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    An immutable OS is read-only.

    You can install and remove software but the host system it runs on can't be modified by the user.
     
  19. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Slimbook Titan, Kubuntu, applications, games

    A step closer toward full Linuxification. This be a follow-up review of the Slimbook Titan laptop, with 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 9 5900HX processor, Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics, and two M.2 NVMe drives, focusing on applications and games compatibility in resident Kubuntu 22.04 LTS, including native and WINE programs, plugins and configurations import, Steam gaming via Proton layer, excellent results, some other observations, and more. Have fun!

    https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/slimbook-titan-apps.html


    Cheers,
    Mrk
     
  20. Stupendous Man

    Stupendous Man Registered Member

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    Did you install the GIMP (non-snap) repository version (GIMP team), or the GIMP snap (Snapcrafters)?
    Last November, I installed the (non-snap) repository version, and when the GIMP help packages were installed, wslu was installed, 'a collection of utilities for the Windows 10 Linux Subsystem'.o_O That had some undesirable consequences.
    Somewhat later, last December, Daveski17 mentioned the GIMP snap version. And as I wrote, I assume the GIMP snap version doesn't have the issues that the non-snap repository version has.
     
  21. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    Flatpak's good! Speaking of enterprise Linux, the Eurolinux Desktop with its modified GNOME setup is the way Linux should be for newbie users. A model other RHEL clones should follow.

    Dnfdragora and Yumex-dnf, front-end GUI for dnf aren't available in the repositories but GNOME Software is installed by default - enabled with full Flatpak support out of the box.
     
  22. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    @Stupendous Man , I installed both, and no problem with either.
    @NormanF, to your question re: immutable linux, there will most likely be a shell you can open and do things if you like, and change your system from ro to rw. Or container images. Either way, nothing that will be problematic really. You already have that with puppy linux with persistence, and you can install stuff and save data in between sessions. Cushty.
    Mrk
     
  23. Stupendous Man

    Stupendous Man Registered Member

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    Ah, that's very good, thanks.
    Perhaps the issue with GIMP (non-snap) repository version was fixed, since my installation, last November.
     
  24. NormanF

    NormanF Registered Member

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    At moment, OpenSUSE ALP is a shell and the planned replacement for Leap is in the future. For now, a preview exists in MicroOS, which offers either a GNOME or KDE desktop with the new core technology.
     
  25. reasonablePrivacy

    reasonablePrivacy Registered Member

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    Like an Android. .. but you can still root it ;)
    There must be a way to remount ro to rw, otherwise OS devs couldn't develop it nor OS updates could not be applied.
    It might be a boot option or intervention (chroot) from Live CD/USB flash drive etc
    It is up to you to somewhat fight with OS to modify it or just switch distro.

    Referring to packages I meant there wil be always some traditional Linux distro. Traditional Linux distro is just a set of packages.
     
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