Intel isn't exactly known for its dalliances with operating system software beyond that belonging to Microsoft, so it's a pleasant surprise to find out that its first Linux OS is ready and raring to go. Almost.
The company's Moblin project has borne fruit about a year and a half after it began, with the introduction of the first alpha release of the open-source OS based on Linux.
Easy on the battery
Moblin's raison d'être is to provide an OS that runs well on low-power, low-cost platforms like netbooks and other portable devices. Anyone who's struggled with Windows on a netbook will sympathise with that ideal.
As you might expect, Moblin is being developed to run first on Intel Atom-powered machines – the first confirmed to be able to handle the alpha are the Dell Mini and Acer Aspire One.
The project website says that Eee PCs can also run Moblin, but that there are teething problems with the wireless networking. After the next round of testing, we can expect to see Moblin for Core 2 CPUs and other processors in the near future.
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tholmewood
January 31st 2009
2. I really think that netbook linux distos need to shape up and shape up fast. From my own experience of running Windows 7 on an atom based netbook as well as the general feeling from the netbook community who have also took the plunge, Microsoft is on the verge of releasing a very stable and very fast OS that is aestheticaly pleasing. I along with many others saw an opening for Linux to enter the mainstream with the birth of netbooks, but unfortunatly I don't think the oppurtunity was used succsesfuly. Ubuntu Mobile Frontend took a while to launch and I can't say I am overly impressed with it. From my experience most distros havnt been too helpful with battery life compared to windows. I have little faith in this project producing an OS that I would want to use, but hopefuly the optimisations will be ported over to the bigger distros.
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penflash
January 31st 2009
1. Oh! well I dont see why Intel has to go with another OS, especially one that nobody knows about it (Moblin). I belived that it would be better off with already Open Source distro outhere Like, knoppix, Sabayonn even Ubuntu or Mandriva. Im pretty sure it will be able to run any of these DISTRO Linux. Well don't get me wrong it would also be nice to see another low Power efficient OS. I can't wait and see
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