The Kubuntu Focus Ar GEN 1 is the first Linux laptop from the Kubuntu Focus team to feature an Intel Panther Lake processor that delivers the kind of graphics performance you’d expect from an entry-level discrete GPU.While there are several other Kubuntu Focus models that do have even higher-performance discrete graphics, those models are bigger, heavier, and less efficient. They also have higher price tags… although the Kubuntu Focus Ar isn’t exactly cheap. It’s available for pre-order now for $1950 and up, and it’s expected to begin shipping in July.The laptop has a 16 inch, 2560 x 1600 pixel, 165 Hz matte IPS LCD display with up to 450 nits max brightness, 32GB of LPDDR5x-7467 onboard memory, and the starting price is for a model with a 500GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD although customers can pay more for up to 4TB of storage.But there are two things that make this laptop special. One is the software: it ships with Kubuntu 26.04 LTS, which is basically Ubuntu + the KDE Plasma 6.6 desktop environment. There are also a set of Kubuntu Focus tools and a set of curated applications. While you could theoretically install Kubuntu on your own laptop for a similar software experience, a selling point here is that you know you won’t have to jump through any hoops to make sure all the hardware is supported or the kernel is optimized.The other is the processor: this laptop is powered by an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H Panther Lak processor, which is 16-core chip with 4 Performance CPU cores, 8 Efficiency cores, and 4 Low-Power Efficiency cores, a 50 TOPS NPU, and Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics with 12 Intel Xe3 GPU cores.While you could theoretically get better graphics performance out of a discrete GPU, this chip is good enough for basic gaming, video editing, and local AI applications, among other things. And the iGPU is more efficient than most dGPUs, allowing the Kubuntu Focus team to promise up to 12 hours of run time from the laptop’s 73 Wh battery during “modest use with medium-low display brightness or “10 hours typical” use.By comparison, the Kubuntu Focus M2 Gen 7 has a larger 80 Wh battery, but features a more power-hungry Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor and NVIDIA graphics. So battery life is estimated at up to 4.5 hours using integrated graphics or just 2 hours using discrete graphics.The 4.96 pound Kubuntu Focus M2 is also a heavier laptop that comes with a 280 watt AC power adaptor, compared with a 65W adaptor for the 3.13 pound Kubuntu Focus Ar.That said, there are a few things to consider before spending money on the newer model. One is that its LPDDR5 memory is not user-upgradeable, so the 32GB that comes with the laptop is the most it will ever support. Another is that it’s the only Kubuntu Focus laptop currently available that does not have a dedicated Ethernet port.But it does have Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-C, USB Type-A, 3.5mm audio, and HDMI ports, support for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0, and a microSD card reader. There’s a single M.2 2280 slot for user-replaceable storage. And the notebook has a backlit keyboard with a number pad and a Precision touchpad with support for multi-touch gestures.Other features include a 2MP webcam with a security shutter, stereo 2W speakers, dual fans, and an all-metal chassis.