BigLap is back


Our BigLap is back in stock! Back by popular demand. Enjoy.

Sale on keyboards


We love our Tux keyboards. We want more people to have them. So it is time for a sale. Use coupon code ZaKey as you check out for a 20% savings on our custom Tux keyboards.

Now on Twitter

Do you tweet? Follow ZaReason at http://twitter.com/zareason.

New version of Ubuntu available


If you are wondering what is so wonderful about the latest version of Ubuntu, here it is:

* better startup speed
* improved cd burner application
* improved handling of multiple monitors
* performance increases across the board

Ubuntu 9.04

Another great Ubuntu release! Now available on all ZaReason systems.

http://www.ubuntu.com/news/ubuntu-9.04-desktop

New Version of Ubuntu

If you want to order now, but also want the latest version of Ubuntu on your new computer, feel free to order today. We stay in sync with development cycle and know what is coming down the pipeline with 9.04

On the day of release, we do a 24 hr testing on all systems (to verify what we already know -- that it just works) then we build and ship out the systems that have been ordered with the new version.

If you order an Ubuntu 9.04 desktop, laptop, or server today, your order will ship out two to three days after release day, just in time for you to have recovered from the release party.

Note that if there is a big backlog of orders and you wait to order until the actual release day, it may extend your build time by a few days. It is best to get your order in now. Thanks and have a great 9.04 release party!

New Version


If you want to order now, but also want the latest version of Ubuntu on your new computer, feel free to order today. We stay in sync with development cycle so we can verify that our systems will work well with the latest version.

On the day of release, we do a quick 24 hr testing on all systems (to verify what we already know -- that it just works) then we build and ship out the systems that have been ordered with the new version.

If you order an Ubuntu 9.04 desktop, laptop, or server today, your order will ship out two to three days after release day, just in time for you to have recovered from the release party.

Note that if there is a big backlog of orders and you wait to order until the actual release day, it may extend your build and ship time to four or five days. It is best to get your order in now. Thanks and have a great release party!

Linux Today and the UltraLap


More love from Linux Today, "Cathy and Earl Malmrose build and sell excellent, fairly priced Linux computers." Read more.

Also know that we currently have a special on our best selling laptop, the UltraLap. Until April 11th, there is free shipping on the UltraLap as an extra bonus. Please use coupon code FREEULTRASHIP

The UltraLap has many happy users around the globe. The most recent one went to Guam. The UltraLap strikes the perfect balance between power and portability.

Best-selling model lately


When someone asks us, "I need the perfect laptop..." we usually point them to the UltraLap. It is the perfect balance between power and portability.

For this week, we are offering free shipping on the UltraLap as an extra bonus. Please use coupon code FREEULTRASHIP

Za Server


We have many customers who chose to use Untangle to make their computing experience seamless. For these customers, we built the rackmount server, the ZR 4110.

You don't have to use Untangle with the ZR 4110. You can also select Ubuntu Server edition. It's all about choice and flexibility.

Note that we have another small form factor Untangle desktop coming out soon. The previous one achieved best seller status so we are testing the next model to make sure it can handle the rigors that the last one did.

Badges


The initial promotional pricing on the Ubuntu case badges is ending on Monday March 30th, so order now for the absolute best price.

Currently, ZaReason is subsidizing the badge cost. As of Monday, March 30th, the badges will continue to be available at a no-profit (at-cost) price for the community at large.

We are thrilled to see Ubuntu case badges spread far and wide to the many different corners of the world.

After many, many, many requests


After many, many requests we are finally launching our rackmount server. We have been selling custom servers for the last two years and have proven that we know how to build a server that just works.

Now, finally, we will be posting our first ZaReason rackmount server later on today. The suspense... !

Ada Lovelace Day


In honor of Ada Lovelace Day, we are offering a $5 discount on our Women's t-shirt, "Friends help friends use Linux". Feel free to order using coupon code: ADAlove

Beginner's Guide to Coding


Why get an EeePC when you already have a great laptop that does everything you need to do?

Because either you or other people in your life could probably use articles like this one to make their commuting hours or "blank" hours in their day productive: The beginner's guide to coding: Programming Linux made easy

One of our ZaReason staffers saw someone in line at a grocery store with the EeePC sitting on top of their groceries, coding while standing in line. With the EeePC's solid state drive, it can handle trips like this, and its compact size makes it nearly as small as a paperback.

While standing in line wouldn't you rather be coding, enhancing your mind's ability to create value?

Mention in a news story


We received a great mention in Moving to Linux Go-Slow or Rip-and-Replace?

IdeaForge


Is there something in Ubuntu that you want to see? Post it on the Linux.com IdeaForge.

Recent buzz


Recently, Carla Schroder wrote and article about us, ZaReason: An Amazing Attack of Linux Cluefulness.

Favorite laptop


It is relatively easy for people to switch from Windows to Linux, but it is more difficult for people to switch from a Mac to a Linux laptop. Why?

Partly because Macs have a sleek and appealing feel to the case. They do have good designers working at Apple.

For this reason, we are excessively proud of how many Mac --> Linux converts our UltraLapSR has garnered over the years. The UltraLap has a wonderfully sleek feel to it and with Ubuntu showing its muscle under the hood, the UltraLapSR is the type of laptop who can win over even the pickest users.

Launching new desktop

 
Over the last few months we have become huge fans of Untangle. They take computing to a whole new level of sweetness.

Today we are officially launching our UntangleBox. We have already been selling this system for several months and it is performing exceptionally well in the field. Check it out if you want a great user experience for yourself or someone you know.

Another great weekend


If you are still snowed in or just taking a rainy day off work to browse for your next Linux computer, check out a clip on The Technium that will have you smiling all day.

Custom work


Let us know if there is something you want on your new system. Either tell us by email or make a note of it in the Notes field as you check out.

We enjoy building systems that fit their new owners.

Remember -- all customizations are free. It's the Linux way.

Time for SCaLE!


Who is heading to SCaLE? We are! If you are going, please stop by to say hi. We pulled together three huge boxes full of "Friends of FOSS" bundles for the event that I get to give away during my talk: Iron-Jawed Angels of Open Source. In each bag is:

* an Ubuntu for Non-Geeks book from No-Starch
* a "Friends help friends use Linux" T from ZaReason (us!)
* an official Canonical Ubuntu CD
* a stuffed plush penguins from Novell
* possibly a few other bit of schwag from other exhibitors

There is an itty bitty stack of ASUS EeePC 900s left. They are wonderfully rugged little road warriors for your summer travels. We are hoping to take two Eees backpacking over the Great Northwest (USA) then on to the beaches in Spain this summer.

Only a few left

We have only a teeny stack left of the ASUS EeePC 900. 

Take advantage of the coupon code LittleThang to get a full $100 off the ASUS EeePC 900 with Ubuntu.

Not even Amazon can beat our price and as far as we know, no one else takes the time to do the Ubuntu load, making it an even sturdier little laptop. 

Our deepeeest sale ever


We rarely do sales, but we have a great one today on our EeePC. We have only a small stack of them left and we want to see how quickly they can go. We are giving a massive coupon discount on the ASUS EeePC 900.

Use coupon code LittleThang to get a full $100 off the ASUS EeePC 900 with Ubuntu.

Note that Amazon is selling a lesser model of the 900 for more without Ubuntu and without the backing our company can give.

The ASUS EeePC is a perfect traveling laptop and even better for younger users. The solid state drive makes it the optimal laptop for rugged use.

SCALE


We will be at SCaLE again this year. If you haven't registered yet, please use our code ZAR7X for a 40% discount!

New Strata


Possibly the coolest laptop ever, the Strata 4660. Bedazzle your friends with the high res 1680x1050 display and for computing muscle, it supports processors up to 2.8 GHz. Yum.

Eee hard drive upgrade


As if it could get any better... The Eee can now be upgraded to a 72 GB solid state drive. It comes with a 40 GB drive which is great for most purposes, but if you want enough space for heavy use, 72 GB is the way to go.

Sweet system


One of our best-selling systems is the Shuttle KPC, a sweet little box that does everything need for everyday use. Note that it has a clear front plate that you can use to mount a photo, company logo, or any customization you want.

7 Stupid Tech Videos


To enhance the playfulness of your weekend, see CIO.com, 7 Stupid Tech Videos

Command line? Good or bad?


Today's food for thought -- What is so bad about the command line? by Locutus

Extremely competitive price on the ASUS EeePC


Extremely competitive price on the ASUS EeePC 900, now at $389. (Note that Amazon has it at $429.)

We also dropped the price on the Eee 1000 to $399, the same as Amazon. What makes ours better:

* Ubuntu instead of Xandros, hands-down a better set-up. To do the switch yourself, you need an external drive and a lot of time. We at ZaReason get you set up with Ubuntu for free so when you turn on your Eee you have a clean plug-n-play experience.

* Upgraded memory at your request.

* Bundled with an external DVD drive if you wish.

Iron-Jawed Angels of Open Source


Our CEO will be speaking at SCALE coming up in a few weeks. Topic: The Iron-Jawed Angels of Open Source. If you can make it, please stop by our booth to say hello.

Best selling system


Our best selling system for the past few weeks has been the Shuttle KPC. We particularly enjoy building and shipping it with Untangle pre-installed.

Launching new system


We quietly launched a new system today, the new Limbo 3550. It has better specs, a built-in card reader, and more room for upgrades.

Don't miss the upcoming SCALE


Our CEO will be speaking at SCALE with the topic: The Iron-Jawed Angels of Open Source -- Who we are and why we contribute

A truly fun conference


On Productive Linux: How SCALE Uses FLOSS to Organize A Massive Linux Conference

Open Office, the Cornerstone


Thanks to OpenOffice, Linux has wedged its way into nearly every niche of the public and private market. Amanda McPherson has some excellent insights: Open Office, a Horse of a Different Source

Snappier systems


Phoronix ran some benchmarks and found several cases where 2 GB ram speed things up considerably. Consider upgrading to 2 GB when ordering, especially if you like speed.

A little humor to start off your weekend


A little xkcd humor to start off your weekend, this one regarding the other OS that is available from other sources.

Untangle, ah, the sweetness


Want to make your computing experience even more smooth? Check out Untangle for their spam blocker, firewall, spyware blocker, and many more. We have heard back from customers saying that Untangle takes them to a new level of productivity.

Tux keyboard


The Italians win again. More of our Tux keyboards are going to Italy than any other EU country. This makes us wonder if we should open up a shop in Italy. Our CEO and several hardware builders were in Rome and Milan over the holidays. They raved about the beauty of Italy.

Helios 2008

Kudos to Helios in placing 329 Linux computers in disadvantaged homes. Here's to an even bigger 2009!

2008 Open Source Victories

We saw some great Open Source victories in 2008. Take a look at a few of them.

The Year of Linux

Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols suggests that we just closed out the Year of Linux, and we concur. 2008 was an amazing year for Linux. One more example, a father of ours bought an EeePC with Linux. He has used nothing but Windows for many many years, so he thought he would prefer Windows on the EeePC. After loading it up, he couldn't stand it. It was so slow and unusable. He quickly called us and begged for Linux back. Linux 1, Windows 0.