ZaReason is preparing to expand its portfolio of Ubuntu systems - including a new server and netbook, according to CEO Cathy Malmrose. But that's not all. US-based ZaReason also continues its push deeper into the European computer market.
I traded email with Malmrose about Ubuntu 9.04 and ZaReason's ongoing business strategy. Here's a look at our exchange...

Cathy and Earl Malmrose founded ZaReason several years ago. ZaReason is a Linux OEM that has long intrigued me for a number of reasons: they encourage customers to open their boxes and tinker, they specialize in OEM Linux boxes, and they demonstrate that there is still room for independent shops in the rough-and-tumble world of computer retailing.

After a business trip to China, the ZaReason team is back in the US preparing to offer Ubuntu 9.04 on PCs and laptops the day Canonical's latest Linux distribution launches. But that's not all: ZaReason is preparing to expand its Ubuntu server lineup. Here are the early details, based on an email interview with ZaReason CTO Earl Malmrose.

Linux system builder ZaReason appears to have launched a new Linux netbook. While there’s no information about the new Teo netbook on the ZaReason web site, you can already order one from Amazon for $460.

One year ago we reviewed the ZaReason Ion Breeze computer that was built around NVIDIA's ION platform with an Intel Atom CPU, but today we are looking at our first ZaReason notebook and it boasts some very high-end hardware.

...Let's take a look at ZaReason's system plans for the new Ubuntu - including thoughts about a new ZaReason server and an expanding customer base.

The nice folks at ZaReason, the independent Linux OEM computer vendor, sent me their Teo tough netbook to review. This turned into a family affair as my excellent significant other Terry was charmed by the little netbook, and had to try it out. Executive summary: thumbs up.

Netbooks of late have lost some of the charm and excitement marking their initial reception. ZaReason is one of the few and preloads Ubuntu 9.04 Netbook Remix on their Terra A20 netbook.

At LinuxFestNW this weekend I ran into a company, Zareason, that sells computers with Ubuntu pre-installed. Not just desktops but laptops that have camera's, wi-fi, and support for power management of modern laptops.