Intel's Linux-based Moblin 2.0 OS Goes Open Beta

By Marcus Yam
published

Download the Intel-modified Linux OS today!

While most eyes are looking at Windows 7 and how it performs on today’s netbooks, Intel has its own ideas for the future OS for Atom-powered machines.

Intel has been working on its own Linux-based OS that’s aimed specifically for machines powered using its Atom processor. It’s meant to be a lightweight OS that performs all the functions a netbook user expects while cutting out all the fat of a full-featured OS meant for laptops and desktops.

We talked about Moblin before when it was in alpha form, but this week Intel has released a much-improved version as part of a public beta. It’s best summarized in the video below:

Get the full details and download links to the image file here.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
20 Comments Comment from the forums
  • leafblower29
    If it can run firefox, Email, and openoffice ill use it.
    Reply
  • fuser
    Looks pretty complete for most users who will be stuck with a netbook.
    Reply
  • Greatwalrus
    Sweet!!! I am really liking what Intel is doing here. For at least three reasons: 1) they are developing a very nice, useful operating system with their own unique applications, 2) it is Linux-based :), and 3) partly because of #2, it will be an inexpensive alternative.

    I'm going to download it now and see if it will run in a virtual machine for me.
    Reply
  • outacontrolpimp
    i dont like open office.......
    Reply
  • cruiseoveride
    Next evolution in operating system?
    umm, its called Linux?
    Reply
  • randomizer
    I just hope the battery life is good. Ubuntu sucks up the battery like there's no tomorrow. I'd say it discharges a good 40-50% faster than XP on my MSI Wind.
    Reply
  • Regected
    Very interesting development. Anyone know if this will be open source?
    Reply
  • doped
    RegectedVery interesting development. Anyone know if this will be open source?i couldn't imagine you are allowed to use gnu/linux kernel in your OS, and NOT make it open source..
    Reply
  • doped
    randomizerI just hope the battery life is good. Ubuntu sucks up the battery like there's no tomorrow. I'd say it discharges a good 40-50% faster than XP on my MSI Wind.do you use the cpufreq demon??
    Reply
  • randomizer
    dopeddo you use the cpufreq demon??I use a pretty base install. It's just for messing around basically, but it means I don't get to mess around for nearly as long as on XP ;)
    Reply