“LaCie is pleased to offer the GlobeTrotter 2.0 in partnership with Mandriva,” says Mathilde Bohrmann, LaCie Vice President of Research and Development. “We want to help Linux users easily transport their personal work environments from one place to the next. Our powerful technology and hardware paired with Mandriva Linux makes the GlobeTrotter a must-have for professional users on the go.”
LaCie GlobeTrotter 2.0 is perfect for those with serious capacity and power needs. Unlike CD-Rs and USB keys that only store data, or laptops that are heavy and expensive, GlobeTrotter 2.0 offers a complete work environment in one cost-effective and lightweight package. Simply plug GlobeTrotter 2.0 into the USB port of a host PC and turn it on. Hardware on the host computer is automatically detected but is not modified in any way. When the job is done, GlobeTrotter 2.0 can be taken to a different workstation with up to 80GB a user’s data including applications and personal settings.
With Mandriva Linux powering the device, users are provided with the flexibility, security, ease-of-use and power of a state-of-the-art Linux system. Among the included software is the productivity suite OpenOffice.org, integrated personal information management software such as Kontact and Evolution, as well as full-featured development tools. To further ease customers into their new systems, LaCie GlobeTrotter 2.0 comes with 30 days of web support from Mandriva, and membership to Mandriva Club and Mandriva Online for a month.
“Despite Linux being today as easy to install and use as its proprietary counterparts, some may be hesitant to switch. GlobeTrotter 2.0 removes the so-called barriers in migrating to Linux: users don’t have to go through an installation, their hardware is automatically detected, and nothing is modified on the host computer,” says François Bancilhon, Mandriva CEO. “This mobile desktop will appeal to Linux beginners and experts alike, who will enjoy turning that monotonous Windows box into a solid, versatile Linux machine.”
Features
* Linux-bootable 40-80GB USB hard drive* designed by LaCie
* Automatic hardware detection and storage of profiles
* Pre-loaded Mandriva Linux Limited Edition 2005 with OpenOffice.org and much more
* Free membership to Mandriva Club and Mandriva Online for a month
Availability
LaCie GlobeTrotter 2.0 USB hard drive with pre-loaded Mandriva Linux Limited Edition 2005 is available in Europe for pre-order today on LaCie websites and will be widely available through LaCie’s specialized dealer network later this month for $139.99 (40GB) and $199.99 (80GB). Drives ship with all cables and instructions needed for immediate use. Detailed product information can be found at http://www.lacie.com.
About Mandriva
Mandriva, formerly known as Mandrakesoft, is the publisher of the popular Mandriva Linux operating system, one of the most full-featured and easy to use Linux systems. The company offers its enterprise, government educational customers a complete range of GNU/Linux and Open Source software and related services. Mandriva products are available in more than 140 countries through dedicated channels and also from Mandrivastore.com, the company’s online store. “Born on the Internet” in late 1998, Mandriva has offices in the United States, France and Brazil. Mandriva is traded on Paris Euronext Marché Libre (ISIN Code: FR0004159382/MLMAN; Reuters code: MAKE.PA) and the US OTC market (stock symbol MDKFF).
About LaCie
LaCie creates external storage solutions and color monitors that help professionals and everyday users easily manage their digital lives. Powerful technology combined with unique designs by the internationally acclaimed Philippe Starck, Neil Poulton and Porsche Design GmbH make LaCie the world leader in storage innovation. Established in France in 1989, LaCie is now headquartered in North America, Europe and Asia and listed on the Paris Nouveau Marché (code 5431). For more information, visit www.lacie.com.
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Contacts
Press Inquiries: LaCie/Melissa Logan, 503-844-4500, mlogan@lacie.com
Mandriva/Kadjo N’Doua, +33-1-40-41-67-67, press@mandriva.com
Sales Inquiries: Direct Sales, 503-844-4502, sales@lacie.com
Reseller Sales, 503-844-4500, sales@lacie.com
* For computers that don’t support booting from USB, a bootable MiniCD may be used instead.”
Link: lacie.com
