Follow Slashdot blog updates by subscribing to our blog RSS feed

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×
Graphics Linux Hardware

Razer's First Linux Laptop Called 'Sexy' - But It's Not for Gamers (theverge.com) 45

Posted by EditorDavid from the machines-learning dept.
A headline at Hot Hardware calls it "a sexy Linux laptop with deep learning chops... being pitched as the world's most powerful laptop for machine learning workloads."

And here's how Ars Technica describes the Razer x Lambda Tensorbook (announced Tuesday): Made in collaboration with Lambda, the Linux-based clamshell focuses on deep-learning development. Lambda, which has been around since 2012, is a deep-learning infrastructure provider used by the US Department of Defense and "97 percent of the top research universities in the US," according to the company's announcement. Lambda's offerings include GPU clusters, servers, workstations, and cloud instances that train neural networks for various use cases, including self-driving cars, cancer detection, and drug discovery.

Dubbed "The Deep Learning Laptop," the Tensorbook has an Nvidia RTX 3080 Max-Q (16GB) and targets machine-learning engineers, especially those who lack a laptop with a discrete GPU and thus have to share a remote machine's resources, which negatively affects development.... "When you're stuck SSHing into a remote server, you don't have any of your local data or code and even have a hard time demoing your model to colleagues," Lambda co-founder and CEO Stephen Balaban said in a statement, noting that the laptop comes with PyTorch and TensorFlow for quickly training and demoing models from a local GUI interface without SSH. Lambda isn't a laptop maker, so it recruited Razer to build the machine....

While there are more powerful laptops available, the Tensorbook stands out because of its software package and Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS.
The Verge writes: While Razer currently offers faster CPU, GPU and screens in today's Blade lineup, it's not necessarily a bad deal if you love the design, considering how pricey Razer's laptops can be. But we've generally found that Razer's thin machines run quite hot in our reviews, and the Blade in question was no exception even with a quarter of the memory and a less powerful RTX 3060 GPU. Lambda's FAQ page does not address heat as of today.

Lambda is clearly aiming this one at prospective MacBook Pro buyers, and I don't just say that because of the silver tones. The primary hardware comparison the company touts is a 4x speedup over Apple's M1 Max in a 16-inch MacBook Pro when running TensorFlow.
Specifically, Lambda's web site claims the new laptop "delivers model training performance up to 4x faster than Apple's M1 Max, and up to 10x faster than Google Colab instances." And it credits this to the laptop's use of NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3080 Max-Q 16GB GPU, adding that NVIDIA GPUs "are the industry standard for parallel processing, ensuring leading performance and compatibility with all machine learning frameworks and tools."

"It looks like a fine package and machine, but pricing starts at $3,499," notes Hot Hardware, adding "There's a $500 up-charge to have it configured to dual-boot Windows 10."

The Verge speculates on what this might portend for the future. "Perhaps the recently renewed interest in Linux gaming, driven by the Steam Deck, will push Razer to consider Linux for its own core products as well."
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Razer's First Linux Laptop Called 'Sexy' - But It's Not for Gamers More

Razer's First Linux Laptop Called 'Sexy' - But It's Not for Gamers

Comments Filter:

  • Starts at $3500? (Score:2, Informative)

    by lsllll ( 830002 )
    Jesus. For that money I can buy 2, if not 3, very capable laptops able to support Linux. Plus a $500 upcharge for dual booting? I own a left-handed Razor Naga and it's nice, but if Razor thinks it can have a following like the Apple fanbois, they're sorely mistaken.

    • ANOTHER GAY BIZX ADVERTISEMENT (Score:1)

      by Anonymous Coward
      Dude, seriously? They can post ANYTHING here, and people will jump on it as if it is a real story.

      Why don't you go outside and enjoy some fresh air? The fake news stories here are just paid promos.

      Seriously, go find something worthwhile to do.

      It's like throwing crumbs to the pigeons.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by tlhIngan ( 30335 )

      Jesus. For that money I can buy 2, if not 3, very capable laptops able to support Linux. Plus a $500 upcharge for dual booting? I own a left-handed Razor Naga and it's nice, but if Razor thinks it can have a following like the Apple fanbois, they're sorely mistaken.

      Dude, it's a Razor. You know, overpriced gaming crap. They got to pay for the marketing budget somehow, after all.

      Razor's products are basically stuff you go to Best Buy for, stick it on your PC and call yourself a gamer. With max bling if you st

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by Kremmy ( 793693 )
      Very capable laptops, but not laptops equipped with a 3080. They're not the most expensive brand in that niche. I hope the target users take notice.
  • Comment removed based on user account deletion

    • It's for machine learning. You are not the target audience.

      • Comment removed based on user account deletion

      • bullshit, there is nothing about this laptop that specifically targets "machine learning" and nothing a person couldn't buy cheaper somewhere else.

        It's a laptop with 8 core i7, 64GB ram, RTX 3080 Max-Q GPU, 2TB PCI 4 SSD and a couple thunderbolt ports besides the USB.

        Could be used for rendering, CADD/CAE, FEA, or whatever.

        Besides which the next breakthrough in machine learning could be on some compiled LISP program running from command line on a salvaged AMD Phenom II white box in some 3rd world nation wi

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by 1s44c ( 552956 )

          I agree it's an expensive general purpose computing device.

          All I meant was that the marketing targets machine learning. I never meant to imply it was cost effective or fit for purpose.

          • It targets one type of machine learning, there are others that don't even need GPU, parallel nor fast processing. The next big AI breakthrough could come at algorithmic level and as I've said elsewhere might be done by someone in third world country on 10 or more year old computer.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by Kremmy ( 793693 )
          No, it's really not gonna come from a 15 year old CPU. GPU Compute is so much faster for these kinds of workloads than ANY CPU. They're not using them for the eye candy. That's why it runs Linux and comes with major machine learning packages pre-installed. It's Linux because those packages run on Linux, direct Windows support is rare and unreliable. Sometimes you need a strong parallel processor to get the work done, that's what it's about.

          • Wrong and ignorant. Your brain is locked into one tiny portion of AI that is parallel processes that might be done on GPU, but instead for example the next huge thing in machine learning could be from some other branch of AI, such as symbolic AI that indeed could be done on 10 or 20 year old computer.

            This laptop has nothing that couldn't be had elsewhere for half the price, and could be used for a dozen things that have nothing to do with machine learning. It's a generic thing.

            • Re: (Score:2)

              by Kremmy ( 793693 )
              Those pie in the sky aspirations are what is more likely to be wrong and ignorant. We can't just use fairy magic to process that much more data with that much less. I want to see those kind of breakthroughs, I would love to see it become possible to actually make older systems that much more functional again, but one thing that has been proven time and again is that it's not going to happen like that.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by godrik ( 1287354 )

        The thing is that it is really not for machine learning. I don't know anyone doing machine learning that train their models on their laptops. It destroy laptops because it gets hot; it destroy batteries if you are not plugged in; and it is slow because you have only one GPU. Every machine learning experts I know develop their models on large clusters not on a single machine.

        I don't understand how that actually targets ML engineers...

        • Maybe a student wouldn't have access to one of the many free or low-cost machine learning cloud services. And had about $3k more to spend on a laptop than a typical student.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by Kremmy ( 793693 )
          By being one that's built to handle it. That's literally all it has to do for the price.
    • I can think of a few possible buyers straight off: Academics who get an annual budget for computing stuff & other equipment, which if they don't spend it, they lose it. They're often familiar with Linux but use MBPs because they're compact & fast & MacOS is Linux-like enough without the hassle of having to install, configure & troubleshoot it yourself. That they could ideally pull this out of a box & start doing research on it straight away is very appealing. Whether it costs $3,000 or $
  • There's better laptops for what Razer wants this thing to do, and those better laptops probably come at a better price for what you're getting. How long will it last before people realize this? I'll give it 11 minutes.

  • the feature of this laptop is that it comes with Linux and idk what software stack installed?

    I was going to comment that this is the stupidest thing I ever read and that any linux user that needs to do SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT work should be able to install their own software.

    But then I saw this is for machine learning stuff. So it's for "academics" who know a LOT about their area but are completely lost when it comes to programming.

    I remember when I visited my company's "Machine Learning" area and they showed

    • >"the feature of this laptop is that it comes with Linux and idk what software stack installed?"

      No, "the Tensorbook has an Nvidia RTX 3080 Max-Q (16GB) and targets machine-learning engineers." Now, how that is worth such a steep price is a mystery because there are many other suitable laptops that also can do that, and for much less money.

      https://laptopmedia.com/highli... [laptopmedia.com]

      But, whatever. Remember, people are buying "NFC"'s, which have no value or utility at all. In this case, people are really just buyi

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by hjf ( 703092 )

        Well I mean, if there are other options with the same hardware config, but THIS one comes with linux and some software stack preinstalled, i'd say the latter is what their selling point is about.

      • Show me which laptop on that page has the same specs, AND is actually available for purchase.

        I bet you will have an even harder time with the first part than the second... None of the ones I saw in a quick look over even had the option of getting 64GB of RAM. And the cheaper prices? Only 16GB. Just jumping up to 32GB RAM from the default "starting" price on most of the machines you list off as being "the same" starts to edge in on the same price point as the Razer, without looking at any other upgrades like

    • If it comes preinstalled with Linux, that saves you trouble because you know all the drivers will be available.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by hjf ( 703092 )

        That's not true. HP sells laptops in Latin America with FreeDOS preinstalled. This is not a joke. To save on Windows licensing costs, HP sells a computer with FreeDOS which is almost as good as selling it with a blank HDD.

        Microsoft still uses a "one size fits all" pricing model and they expect a Latin American with an average income of $5K a year pay the same as an american with an average income of $50K a year.

        Adobe (hell, of all companies, ADOBE!), for example, is more realistic in their expectations and

        • Let's be honest though, Argentinians SHOULD be making as much as USians. There's no reason for their economy to be so poor.

  • There is nothing sexy about a rectangular brick-like object. Most humans don't fuck bricks or other hard objects, because there is nothing sexy about that. Things described as sexy tend to evoke thoughts of the human body based on their shape.

  • I really like the idea of users having to pay more to account for the costs of including, and supporting, Windows. Would be nice to see that on other laptops.

    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

      • Speaking as someone whose laptop doesn't turn off its backlight when the display sleeps and whose NIC driver fails and requires a reboot every few days, I like it when laptops come with linux working and tested. It means I can figure out which drivers it's using and then make sure I have them again if I upgrade.

        • Comment removed based on user account deletion

          • Buying a new machine that works the first time you boot it isn't going to teach you how to manage and maintain a POSIX compliant workstation

            The fact that I still have to know special shit just to get the hardware working is a real problem and frankly an embarrassment, and I don't enjoy spending time tracking that shit down any more. That kind of shit simply means I won't suggest Linux to normal users. I don't want to support them, and they will need support just to get basic functionality working.

            If Ubuntu breaks those network or display drivers you seem to have a problem with, I'm pretty sure that won't be Lambda or Razer's fault.

            It doesn't matter whose fault it is, it's equally embarrassing.

            If someone came to me and asked what they should run Linux on, I would absolutely tell

  • It's the machine learning company that helped design this mobile workstation for the purpose
    You're not getting a laptop with a 3080 for half that price guys. I'm sorry.

    • I find it somewhat sad that half the time when I see people complain that a machine isn't a "Professional" machine, the complaints are really that it's not a "gaming" machine.

      There's always a large contingent of Slashdotters unable to grasp that there are many high performance workloads entirely unlike games.

  • Would you trust an OS built by someone whose flagship piece of software was found to be logging all your keystrokes and harvest your browsing history?

  • "When you're stuck SSHing into a remote server, you don't have any of your local data or code and even have a hard time demoing your model to colleagues

    Is it so hard to copy the data and code?

  • I'll stick with my MAC

Slashdot Top Deals

To stay youthful, stay useful.

Close