Linux Netbooks Are A Disruptive Force for Everyone
Category Linux
Playing the part of an industry spoiler for this week's Macworld, Microsoft is accusing Apple products of having an "Apple Tax." Of course, being that Windows market share is taking a dive, it's not an unexpected reaction. After all, not too long ago, Bill Gates was predicting that hardware would become nearly free, and he had some words left over to address the open-source community:
So, what's happened to the computing world since Bill made his guesses ? The most popular platforms for industry growth are Apple MacBooks and Netbooks with either open-source Linux or the older Windows XP. In the Fall, Microsoft noted their earnings were affected by Netbooks running Linux. Now days, Windows is being squeezed between a premium product line and a premium operating-system value.
In fact, Netbooks with Linux are probably a problem for Apple and even Linux manufacturers. Sooner or later, Apple is going to need to come to earth. And, even Linux stalwarts have been whip lashed by the uptake in Netbooks. MadTux, an on-line retailer for pre-loaded Linux systems, is closing shop. Linux is no longer esoteric, and has even become a commodity.
For instance, many users of Dell's Mini 9 Netbook, have noted that Ubuntu works well for them; "great computer, best computer I've ever owned," and "Ubuntu offers tons of software to keep you busy, full function computer to take anywhere." Almost everyone expects this trend for using Linux on low-cost Netbooks to steamroll forward.
Today, H-P has produced a Netbook that can run an amazing 8 hours on battery life. Consumers can select their operating system of choice: Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Novell SuSE. Even more amazing is the annoucment by Freescale Semiconductor, Inc that it's aiming at a $200 Linux Netbook.
As far as I can tell, Linux Netbooks are going to be a pervasive presence. I'm not sure if their popularity is going to flatten out in the manner of tablet laptops, or if they will have iPhone cachet. I just know that anyone with a Netbook is going to be wondering why anybody else in their right mind would be paying a Microsoft Tax.
Playing the part of an industry spoiler for this week's Macworld, Microsoft is accusing Apple products of having an "Apple Tax." Of course, being that Windows market share is taking a dive, it's not an unexpected reaction. After all, not too long ago, Bill Gates was predicting that hardware would become nearly free, and he had some words left over to address the open-source community:
free software can do some good stuff, but not the really good stuff.
So, what's happened to the computing world since Bill made his guesses ? The most popular platforms for industry growth are Apple MacBooks and Netbooks with either open-source Linux or the older Windows XP. In the Fall, Microsoft noted their earnings were affected by Netbooks running Linux. Now days, Windows is being squeezed between a premium product line and a premium operating-system value.
In fact, Netbooks with Linux are probably a problem for Apple and even Linux manufacturers. Sooner or later, Apple is going to need to come to earth. And, even Linux stalwarts have been whip lashed by the uptake in Netbooks. MadTux, an on-line retailer for pre-loaded Linux systems, is closing shop. Linux is no longer esoteric, and has even become a commodity.
For instance, many users of Dell's Mini 9 Netbook, have noted that Ubuntu works well for them; "great computer, best computer I've ever owned," and "Ubuntu offers tons of software to keep you busy, full function computer to take anywhere." Almost everyone expects this trend for using Linux on low-cost Netbooks to steamroll forward.
Today, H-P has produced a Netbook that can run an amazing 8 hours on battery life. Consumers can select their operating system of choice: Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Novell SuSE. Even more amazing is the annoucment by Freescale Semiconductor, Inc that it's aiming at a $200 Linux Netbook.
As far as I can tell, Linux Netbooks are going to be a pervasive presence. I'm not sure if their popularity is going to flatten out in the manner of tablet laptops, or if they will have iPhone cachet. I just know that anyone with a Netbook is going to be wondering why anybody else in their right mind would be paying a Microsoft Tax.
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Comments
Any copy of Windows shipping from an OEM is supported by that OEM. And their support extends to "if it's not in our FAQ or will take longer than 30 minutes to do, then you should rebuild using your recovery disks and start over".
Some support!
With regards Linux on Netbooks - it's a great example of Linux being able to move faster than any commercial competitor. Ubuntu Netbook Remix is what I'm running right now on my Acer Aspire One, and it's great. The optimisations for the smaller form factor are just something that you probably couldn't have gotten from Microsoft in such a short space of time.
I think it's telling that Canonical now believe their goal with Ubuntu is to be better than Apple, not Microsoft.
On netbooks, I believe that's perfectly possible. In fact, I think it's very likely, because many of the edge cases that Linux isn't so good at - like scanners, printers etc - just don't tend to happen with netbooks. That's a huge advantage in itself...
Posted by Philip Storry At 02:50:05 PM On 01/07/2009 | - Website - |
If the consumer doesn't like the rock-bottom price of Linux (its only selling feature to the consumer, right now), then they can buy up. The vendor will offer as much support as makes sense for the economics.
That said, Linux distros morph much faster than Microsoft or Apple releases. SUSE is back in the game on H-P consumer equipment, and Ubuntu is just about on highway billboards (they are everywhere). Google is thinking about using Android on Netbooks.
It's just not going to be possible to keep Linux away from the < 500 range. Back to support.
Dell sells Ubuntu support, as an add-on. I think that's reasonable, for now, as long as their base image is 100% solid.
Next up, the consumer will discover that Linux = Batteries Included. When Mom, Dad, Bobby and Blair discover 26,000 programs in the open-source repositories, then it's a game changer. Why, because most people buy a Linux Netbook as a 2nd system and think of it as a temporary Windows replacement, not an alternative operating system. When they can use Boxee for live Netflix, IBM Symphony for their office suite, and something like Cinellera for video processing--well, it spins the whole consumer software world around. Support ? Think how many Windows issues are tied to updates. With Linux, the user gets a back-end repository for automatic updates; for their applications, for their drivers, for their kernel, for their entire release. It's weird, but after going through a couple of version upgrades (which have become smoother) then looking at how long it has taken Microsoft to move from Windows XP to Vista seems glacial.
Posted by Jack Dausman At 06:37:35 AM On 01/07/2009 | - Website - |
Posted by Kevin Pettitt At 05:03:10 AM On 01/07/2009 | - Website - |