I tested a premium Linux laptop that's as light as it is powerful - here's why I love it

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. I've used and tested many Linux laptops over the years; sometimes they fall flat, and sometimes they rise above the competition. When a "lightweight and fast" laptop comes to my attention promising "a compelling balance of performance, features, value, and reliability," I take notice -- and hope it lives up to the claims. So when Kubuntu Focus reached out about the Ar Gen 1, you can bet I was interested. I've tested Kubuntu Focus hardware before (such as the NX Gen 3), and they always impress. My hopes were high for this new laptop. When the laptop arrived, I pulled it out of the box, and the first thing I noticed was the weight. Compared to my 13-inch MacBook…