Windows Threatens Linux’s Presence on Netbooks
Posted in: asus, eeepc, tags: Linux, os, windows, xpThe 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.
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My Eee PC 701 still run original Xandros Linux, although highly customized, and my Acer Aspire One still runs Linux.
For now, I think that Windows XP is more user friendly that Linux and many people I know never heard about Linux (unfortunately)… But I’m almost sure that in a few years things will change (hope so)…
At home, I use Fedora and Ubuntu but I believe that Windows XP is well suited for 90% of all computer users… I’m using it now at work :)
Bye…
Every once in a while, Microsoft needs to be taken down a peg, as was the case with Vista, but there’s no denying that we would not be enjoying the capabilities we have today were it not for Microsoft.
I hope that when the year end awards come out Asus will get a special award as Technology Hero! Were it not for the inexpensive netbook niche that they created, Microsoft would still be trying to shove Vista down our throats. Would WIndows 7 (which sounds like a fantastic product from early reports) be as compact as it is (reported to run quite nicely on netbooks with 1GB) if not for Asus and the netbook industry it spawned? I suspect that absent Asus, Windows 7 would be Vista’s bloated big brother.
I use a eeepc 1000 with Ubuntu eee on it and i find it just fine for my needs.
I have 2 eee pc 900.
My wifes and mine.
Although I’m not a fan of Xandros, Linux is the way to go.
I have Debian installed on mine
and My wife has Ubuntu.
As far as “Windows XP is more user friendly”
Not true. Maybe 5 years ago it was.
A Distro like Ubuntu takes care of everything for you.
Most hardware it plug and play, no looking driver CD.
No worrying about Anti Virus software
No Registry to clean.
Linux is more user friendly.
Nice posting. I am a big linux fan/user since the early Slackware days, however I have to admit that XP on my netbook is very convenient. Specifically with: Getting my EEE 901 to work with my company’s VPN, and tethering with my mobile phone over bluetooth. The ubuntu-eee distro works nicely with the 901 and so I dual-boot xp/ubuntu and have the best of both worlds.
I definitely prefer XP…As far as linux being more user friendly than xp or visa versa, it doesn’t matter. People know XP, and even if linux was more user friendly and easier to learn, people already know xp, so why would they want to learn a new OS if they had the choice not to?
@the_garynator – “people already know xp, so why would they want to learn a new OS if they had the choice not to?” – because there is virtualy no “learning” involved with the eeepc’s basic Xandros set-up – its probably simpler to learn as an OS than a Wii or a gameboy….. I know some people took their eee’s back when they noticed that they didnt have windows on them, but most probably never noticed the difference. The OS on the netbooks is designed to be used by pretty much anyone with absolute ease.
It’s not about the OS, it’s about the applications that run on it.
Netbooks are for surfing the web, accessing email and getting easy access to stuff online. They lety you work on that document or spreadsheet anywhere – but that’s it. By design.
In which case, either OS is great – on Windows, you have Office and great application support from just about everyone else. On Linux, you have a decent replacement (StarOffice / OpenOffice).
As The Wombat says, most people won’t notice the difference. Until they try to push the boundaries a little and install something a bit different – some technical or photo editing software perhaps. Then they will want the OS they are used to. But until then, either is great.
It’s more than just the OS and the applications. It is also about having control of your own machine. Microsoft tries to use its control to make you upgrade the software every few years, just to keep doing the same stuff. Like a kind of tax…
They tried that with Vista, but largely failed, thanks mainly to the EEE and netbooks in general (@BriAnn about Asus being technology hero-you got that right!). Now they know they failed and are rushing Windows 7 in 2009 (which will really be Vista without the annoying stuff designed to make money for them). And they will try to make you pay again for an OS, when you already have one. Just to keep doing what you do now, whether you need the new features or not. So, if they succeed now, in a sense you won’t own your machine. Unless you keep paying Microsoft for upgrades.