Ten per cent, eh?
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| Author | Content |
|---|---|
| dinotrac Dec 17, 2008 3:00 PM EDT |
That's much higher penetration than the world at large. It's a good thing.
If more people use Linux computers for something, more people will be willing to consider them for something else. It is no shock that Windows would crush Linux in any desktop space that Microsoft was determined to make financially viable for OEMs. The vast majority of desktop users are familiar with Windows, and those network effects are hard to escape. |
| caitlyn Dec 17, 2008 3:14 PM EDT |
I think 10% is wishful pro-Microsoft thinking on his part. I've seen recent numbers that place *current* not total netbook sales as 60-70% Microsoft and 30-40% Linux. As I pointed out in the other thread here in the U.S. is you go into a Target store (big box discount retailer, not an electronics specialist) you will find the Asus EeePC 900a with Linux. Windows boxes are nowhere to be seen and have to be ordered from the website. Other electronics retailers in this area have both Windows and Linux. |
| dinotrac Dec 17, 2008 3:18 PM EDT |
caitlyn - That would be better still. Even ten percent is a nice win for Linux, IMHO. |
| caitlyn Dec 17, 2008 3:47 PM EDT |
I agree with you! Also note that Acer only offers one Linux model and many Windows models. The Acer Aspire One with Linux is NOT sold in retail stores. Other brands are. This article deliberately chose numbers that are skewed. |
| theboomboomcars Dec 17, 2008 5:53 PM EDT |
Do netbooks have enough resources to do a virus scan and something else at the same time? or even to do just a virus scan i've seen virus scanners bring better equipped systems to their knees for long periods of time. |
| Sander_Marechal Dec 17, 2008 6:05 PM EDT |
@boomboom: I doubt it. Maybe on the newer faster Atom 1.6 Ghz netbooks but no way you're going to pull it off on an Eee-PC with 900 Mhz. |
| jdixon Dec 17, 2008 6:50 PM EDT |
This is Acer. The company which only sells the Windows version of the Acer Aspire One at Walmart, who doesn't doesn't seem to be able to keep them in stock. I suspect their figures are severely skewed by the Walmart sales. Asus, who makes both versions readily available, would be a more reliable source. I think they agree that the figures are closer to 2 to 1 in favor of Windows. |
| tracyanne Dec 17, 2008 6:51 PM EDT |
They might be higher in favour of Linux if they marketed it better on it's strengths |
| TxtEdMacs Dec 17, 2008 9:18 PM EDT |
Well folks I have it on good authority [me], having a secret peek at MS's plans that it will utterly destroy that 10% of Linux Netbook sales and maybe even reduce the population of those that are predisposed to give Linux a whirl. Deviously brilliant! Here is the plan (and it's government supported in the U.S.). MS has recruited some very polite people who point out to Linux buyers leaving the store that their machine is incapable of loading prophylactic software and gush about the dangers those owners will face. Now those that cannot be deterred have a surprise waiting in the parking lot. They are inconspicuously tagged by the door guards. Outside specially trained H1B recruits are waiting, they are skilled in hardware dismantling mostly, hence, are well equipped to break bodies. These recruits are here on leave from military training camps spread around the NW border of Pakistan. These workers lead an austere life and earn money for their cause. Above all they learn the softer side of their trade and can earn a living anywhere organized crime thrives. That is, if the terrorism side of the business becomes too risky. Our only hope to retain that meager ten percent solution is to send a group of our own special forces guys in civvies to buy Linux Netbooks and clean out the parking lots of MS riffraff. Maybe one of the more entrepreneurial types might use the fights to fund Linux advertising. That way we have a Win-Win! What do you say gang? Who knows 2009 could be the year Linux fights to the finish. By the way, keep this all to yourself. I signed a NDA and my posterior could be in a fix if ANYONE learns I shot my mouth off. Ok? Thanks, Txt. |
| bigg Dec 18, 2008 10:26 AM EDT |
When I was in Best Buy, the sales guy was actively promoting the Linux netbooks. Also, the Linux interface looked much better than the Windows interface. It looked more like what you'd expect on a netbook. It's not a laptop, so an interface that makes it easy to do the small number of things you'd want to do makes more sense. The Windows version was just the usual XP interface. |
| caitlyn Dec 18, 2008 7:13 PM EDT |
I wish the Best Buy here had a sales guy like yours. Anyway... as I said in another thread I just ordered a Sylvania gNote Meso which seemed to be the best bang for the buck: 1.2GHz Via C& processor, 1GB RAM, 30GB conventional HDD for US $279. The are offered with Ubuntu Netbook Remix or gOS. It appears mine will come with gOS which won't last long :) I'll change distros pretty quickly simply becuase I'm not a fan of gOS. I do know that the Target here has almost sold out of what was once a huge display of Asus EeePC 900a models, all running Linux. They didn't offer Windows but did offer a choice of black or white. The black ones are completely gone. |
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