"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

* For computers that don't support booting from USB, a bootable MiniCD may be used instead.

Product Information

http://wwwnew.mandriva.com/en/individuals/products/globetrotter2

Availability
GlobeTrotter 2.0 is avalible for purchase at the Mandriva Store

http://store.mandriva.com/product_info.php?products_id=277

About Mandriva
Mandriva, formerly known as Mandrakesoft, is the publisher of the popular Mandriva Linux operating system, one of the most full-featured and easy to use Linux systems. The company offers its enterprise, government educational customers a complete range of GNU/Linux and Open Source software and related services. Mandriva products are available in more than 140 countries through dedicated channels and also from Mandrivastore.com, the company's online store.
"Born on the Internet" in late 1998, Mandriva has offices in the United States, France and Brazil. Mandriva is traded on Paris Euronext March�Libre (ISIN Code: FR0004159382/MLMAN; Reuters code: MAKE.PA) and the US OTC market (stock symbol MDKFF).

About LaCie
Established in the United States, Europe and Asia, LaCie is the world's leading producer of PC and Macintosh compatible storage peripherals. Through a specialized sales dealer network, LaCie offers innovative solutions for creative professionals in multimedia applications (graphics, audio, video, web design and digital photography). What differentiates LaCie is the design of its products and original creations by designers such as Philippe Starck, Porsche Design GmbH and Neil Poulton. LaCie is listed on the Paris Nouveau March�(code 5431). www.lacie.com.
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Contacts

Press Inquiries:

Mandriva/Kadjo N'Doua, +33-1-40-41-67-67, press at mandriva dot com
LaCie/Melissa Logan, 503-844-4578, mlogan at lacie dot com

Sales Inquiries:

Direct Sales, 503-844-4502, sales at lacie dot com

Reseller Sales, 503-844-4500, sales at lacie dot com