Mandriva and LaCie have introduced a mobile USB hard drive pre-loaded with a specially tuned version of the award-winning Mandriva Linux operating system: the GlobeTrotter2.0 in 40GB or 80GB. Combined with the power and unique design of LaCie hardware, GlobeTrotter allows users to turn any computer into their personal Linux desktop. Following the introduction of first-generation GlobeTrotters by Mandriva last year in Europe, LaCie received significant response and will now offer this second-generation GlobeTrotter through its own worldwide dealer network.

"LaCie is pleased to offer the GlobeTrotter 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."

GlobeTrotter is perfect for those with serious capacity and power needs. Unlike CD-R's and USB keys that only store data, or laptops that are heavy and expensive, the GlobeTrotter offers a complete work environment in one cost-effective, lightweight package. Simply plug the GlobeTrotter 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 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, GlobeTrotter comes with 30 days of web support from Mandriva, and membership to Mandrivaclub and Mandrivaonline for a month.

"Despite Linux being today as easy to install and use as its proprietary counterparts, some may be hesitant to switch. GlobeTrotter 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 specific edition with OpenOffice.org and much more
- Free membership to Mandriva Club and Mandriva Online for a month