The Future of Linux with Netbooks
The introduction of Netbooks clearly made statements that Linux is going to be bigger than it is ever because it comes along with Netbooks as the default OS. When Asus came out with Xandros on their Eee PC netbooks, not only different manufacturers followed the trend, but other Linux distro tend to make Netbook versions as well. To name a few, there were Ubuntu Eee, eeeXubuntu, gOS, Mandriva, and more…
One of the main reasons why Netbooks opts for Linux as default OS is being light for the limited SSD, which only consumes around 2GB of space, including very useful and productive applications for word processing, internet and entertainment. Windows XP eats more. Another reason why Linux, is because it’s free and Netbooks should be affordable for everyone [Students, Employees, Children]. Windows will obviously make the price a bit higher if Netbooks chose it as default OS, or maybe not but other specs will be put in jeopardy. Let’s just say that Linux won at first.
As Netbook manufacturers started to build netbooks with higher disk capacity, faster Intel Atom processors, increased memory size, etc., they also started releasing Windows XP versions apart from the Linux versions. Some versions feature MS Works, which is kind of light version of their Office suite. XP versions also had lesser disk capacity than Linux version on some Netbooks. I have no concrete evidences but I assume, Windows versions of Netbooks is starting to take larger share nowadays.
With the recent report by Laptopmag, MSI stated that they have four times higher return rates on their Linux version than Windows XP version. There’s nothing wrong about Linux, it’s just that users are not willing to spend time to learn and use it. Learning curve on Linux is a door wide-open for Windows.
On the statement from MSI above, it must be clear that in some ways, Linux brings lesser cut to them, but will they be willing to give up on Linux? And how will Linux close that door? Let’s ask.
For those uninitiated, netbooks look like mini laptops.
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