The growing popularity of the the Windows XP Operating Systems among netbooks was not expected by everyone. Whereas the first version of the Eee PC which sprung the growth of the netbook market, was well accepted by users with its Linux OS, those were however are curious enthusiasts who want to get a feel of the Open Source OS. And another reason why the Linux OS was embraced by the netbook-using community is because of it doesn’t pull up the prices of netbooks as compared to when using the Windows XP.

But gradually, that all changed as Microsoft started its Windows XP OS at such an affordable price for netbook purposes. Hence, netbook manufacturers including Asus have found it a great development and has boost the sales and growing interest of users on netbooks. Users are still more accustomed to having their machines running on Windows XP rather than the Open Source Linux and its various distros.

And Microsoft knew this. That’s why it even extended the life of its Windows XP in favor of full roll-out of the Windows Vista. Netbook manufacturers and users rejoiced about this development. Just recently, it even demoed a beta version of its newest OS, Windows 7 on of all machines but a netbook.

It looks like Microsoft is bent on fully tapping into the netbook market. And Linux better watch its back, as users’ preferences for the Windows OS might affect the distribution and use of the Linux OS on netbooks.

So, which do you prefer to have on your netbooks? Windows XP or Linux?

As for me, my Eee PC 701 still runs on Linux and I more than satisfied with it as an OS and sees no possibility of installing Windows XP on it.

If you think that the Asus Eee PC can only run Linux OS and Windows XP, think again. It can also run another OS that goes by the name of Syllable Desktop. Syllable Desktop is OS optimized for desktop computers with east to use graphical work environment. It has high response speed to user input and start up fast.

By using an inventive method of installation since installing the Syllable Dekstop from a USB won’t work, Michael Saunders did an imaging of his Eee drive with a dd utility (from Linux) and installed Syllable using QEmu and then dd’ing the image back to the real drive. I know this may sound techy, but developers would definitely understand how the process work.

Saunders also reports that video, audio, touchpad, USB and battery of the Asus Eee PC after installing the Syllable Desktop, are working pretty fine. But widescreen video and network are not working yet.

So, if you’re looking for an alternative OS to play around with your Asus Eee PC, you may want to give Syllable Desktop a spin. More details here.

Via