Of course it needs better apps, and of course the variety of hardware available needs to be broadened.īut for technologically savvy folks like you and I, Ubuntu convergence will find its way into our lives, both personally and professionally. It might never be on the scale of Apple, but who really cares? As long as value, innovation and utility are at the core there’s no reason why Ubuntu can’t find success. I often hear people decry the need for Ubuntu to pursue personal technology, adamant that it won’t be the ‘next big thing’ - but I don’t think it needs to be. The Ubuntu Tablet is very new, and many of its strengths and weaknesses will only surface when we get to have a proper hands-on experience with it.
We have been told that running traditional desktop apps in the X11 container does currently drain the battery a fair bit, but that improvements in this area are on the way. Ubuntu should perform just as well (it does, after all, sit on top of a low-level Android stack). Under Android this provides 11 hours of normal use, 9 hours of video playback, and 24 days of standby.
If the 10.1-inch screen is too small for your workflow just attach it to any monitor with a HDMI cable. You can use the M10 Ubuntu tablet like the much fabled Ubuntu Edge: as a desktop PC.Īs soon as you pair a keyboard and mouse to the tablet over bluetooth it ‘transforms’ from staged tablet mode into a regular windowed desktop. The 3.5mm headphone jack will see to that. You may find yourself preferring to plug in a a pair of ear buds when you’re on the train. These deliver an immersive surround sound experience that’s rich and bodied. Unlike the tinny thin sound most tablets provide, the M10 has a pair of front-facing Dolby Atmos speakers. The front-facing speakers are another highlight. Whether or not it works, however… What’s The Sound Quality Like? The tablet comes with a small number of these so-called legacy X11 apps pre-installed:įor other software, providing it is open-source, in the Ubuntu archives, and compatible with ARM, you will be able to install it. Traditional Xorg-based software runs on the tablet in a confined, secure container using Xmir. Web apps for popular services like Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram are also available and integrate directly into the OS to provide desktop notifications, badge icons, and more. The tablet also comes with many pre-installed apps: The Ubuntu Store (the phone one, not the desktop one) is home to several hundred native apps, web-apps and Scopes. The Bq Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition HD has a slightly slower MT8163 processor running at 1.3GHz. You will be able to run some pretty CPU intensive tasks, like compiling code, and have no problem browsing the web and streaming music at the same time.
The 64-bit quad-core ARM processor makes productivity a key feature, not a tacked-on afterthought. This combo makes multi-tasking as a tablet or a portable pocket desktop fluid and responsive.Īnd it’s worth reiterating that this is a convergence device. The Bq Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition FHD pairs a blazing fast 64-bit MediaTek MT8163 quad-core processor running at 1.5GHz with 2GB RAM. What Are the Specs of the New Ubuntu Tablet? Remember to factor in the cost of shipping and any local import duties that may be applicable. If you’re in mainland Europe, the UK, or the US, the answer is yes, you can buy it. BQ happily ship to most places. Unlike last year, there is no limited-time flash sales, no invitation to find, and no origami wall to bang your head against. Where Will It Be Sold?īQ is selling the Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition tablet directly through their global storefront website. Update: Bq has confirmed that the tablet will cost €249.99 for the HD model and €289 for the FHD edition.
As both the Bq Aquaris E4.5 and E5 Ubuntu Phones retailed at a similar price to their Android siblings, it’s not unreasonable to expect to pay somewhere around the €259 mark, excluding shipping. The Android version of the M10 (FHD) sells for €259. How Much Will It cost?īQ is yet to settle on a final price, but we can make an educated guess. Bq say they aim to beginning delivery of the tablets by the second week of April. The tablet is available to pre-order from the Bq website. ‘Unlike last year, there will be no limited-time flash sale’