World's first Linux Ultrabook laptop costs as much as a Windows version

Everyone is excited for the new slate of Windows 8 Ultrabooks to arrive in a few weeks -- everyone, that is, except for Linux devotees. With the new ZaReason UltraLap 430, they finally get an Ultrabook of their own.

The UltraLap is the first laptop that ships with Linux and could fall under Intel's Ultrabook platform specs. The base model features a 14.1-inch, 1,366x768 LED-backlit screen, Intel Core i3-3217U processor, Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, 4GB of RAM, 32GB solid state drive, and your choice of Linux flavor: Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint, or Fedora (or no OS pre-installed at all). If the base model isn't powerful enough for you, you can upgrade to a Core i5-3317U CPU for $49, 8GB or 16GB of RAM, a larger SSD and/or a hard drive, and additional warranty protection beyond the standard one year.

While the UltraLap 430 doesn't share the same OS with its Ultrabook brethren, it does share one other thing with them besides hardware specs. At $899, the base model has the same high price that is plaguing the platform in general. Beef it up with more RAM and storage, and it can easily top $1,000.

I posted the other day that Ultrabook sales are still below manufacturers' expectations, and their continued high price appears to be the main reason for the disappointing sales numbers. Unfortunately, ZaReason doesn't give you a cheaper option with its model despite not having to tack the cost of the Windows OS to the bill.?

Linux fans, do you have any interest in the ZaReason UltraLap 430 as your Linux laptop? Or is it priced too high? Let us know your thoughts in the Talkback section below.

[Via HotHardware]

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