Summary
Sorting through the niche and varied world of pre-built Linux computers is a challenge.
Its name doesn’t lie; giving it a try I found myself pretty focused.
It’s also the first 16-inch edition of the model, alongside the established Ir14.
Jerome Thomas / How-To Geek
All Kubuntu Focus products are made in a partnership between Kubuntu developers and California-based manufacturer Carbon Systems.
The structure felt solid, a crucial achievement when designing a user-serviceable laptop like this one.
The exterior is made of magnesium alloy, which stayed mostly free of fingerprints.
The Ir16 GEN 2 marries the enterprise-class hardware from Carbon Systems with the meticulous OS integration and Linux-first support from Kubuntu Focus.
The glass touchpad was a different story, though, which needed frequent wiping down to avoid looking greasy.
With only three options (off, dim, and bright), two separate keys felt like overkill.
Why not just have one cycle through the three modes?
The Ir16 GEN 2 marries the enterprise-class hardware from Carbon Systems with the meticulous OS integration and Linux-first support from Kubuntu Focus.
I would have liked the second as a media pause/play button instead.
The 2W speakers were nothing to write home about.
At 100%, I could hear distortion.
Jerome Thomas / How-To Geek
Of course, the Focus lineup is meant for development and productivity rather than entertainment.
Whilethe IPS glowwas present, I never found it all that noticeable in the environments I was working.
Most of the time, things looked crisp.
Jerome Thomas / How-To Geek
The privacy shutter is a welcome addition, though.
It can reach up to 40Gbps, so that’ll be your go-to port.
On that side there’s also a USB-A 3.1 and HDMI 2.1 port.
Jerome Thomas / How-To Geek
Notably, there’s noEthernetport.
Pretty respectable, considering my connection maxes out at 1Gbps.
Connecting a USB-A-to-Ethernet adapter, I had no trouble verging on that 1Gbps ceiling.
Jerome Thomas / How-To Geek
One new feature that’s worth noting is the System Rollback tool.
Still, it’s a respectable processor in the mobile market.
Gaming on the Ir16 Gen 2 was doable if I stuck to mid-tier gaming.
Jerome Thomas / How-To Geek
That’s close to what I was getting with the Ir16 Gen 2 on my workload and normal prefs.
It was able to charge back up within a couple of hours, too.
The only serious competition for the Ir16 I could find in the US is theSystem76 Pangolin.
Jerome Thomas / How-To Geek
Should You Buy the Kubuntu Focus Ir16 Gen 2?
That said, I think the better portability of the Ir14 would fit slightly better into my daily life.
I’d save a few bucks and feel even more mobile.
