Comments on: Netbook News: Rumble in the OS Jungle Comes Down to Price

By: James Jan

James Jan — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:11:45 +0000

Thats not quite true.
the EEEPC 901 was the reverse of what you just mentioned.
It was priced the same for both Windows & Linux model BUT the Linux model comes with MORE storage.
Remember the EEEPC 901 12G with XP Home & the EEEPC 901 20G with Linux.
The HP Mini 2133 came in similar specs between their Vista(sic) and Suse Linux models with the linux model priced lower.

However I do concur with your lament that netbooks these days don’t seem to come without Windows anymore.

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:34:56 +0000

I have tried the Win7 Ultimate beta and found that it offers nothing better than I already have with Linux (comparison on a Dell 530n desktop, not directly on a netbook). So when buying my next netbook (I have a 701 Eee PC) or notebook/desktop PC, I’ll be picking a Linux-loaded version unless the Win7 version can UNDERCUT the Linux price by enough to make it worth my while, since I’ll have to wipe it and install Linux. This modicum of additional time/effort needs to be compensated somehow: I’d say at least $20 for the added work might suffice.

That said, I have seen netbooks with WinXP at prices lower than similar versions with Linux, but this is likely a supply/demand issue or reflects a subsidy of some form. Savvy consumers (maybe) would realize that greater long-term costs are associated with such conditions (sale of other applications & services dependent on a Windows base like MS Office, security-suites, etc. over the lifetime of the machine). Otherwise, MS can’t match/beat the cost with Linux. And I’m willing to pay a bit for Freedom (and performance and security and …).

By: Administracja

Administracja — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:26:37 +0000

i like this design :D Asus rox

By: thegeniusflies

thegeniusflies — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:48:39 +0000

what we are seeing is the interplay of oligopolistic collusion, aka cartels. The introduction of linux netbooks was just a bargaining ploy against MS, and it worked. So now linux is relegated to the also-ran status it prevously held. Personally, I’m to the point that I’d rather build my own linux box than deal with MS. But most people won’t want to go thru the effort. Linux would compete better if linux devlopers would concentrate more on pretty interface and ease of use.

By: IT Management » Blog Archive » Wednesday Links: Smartphone for Video Conferencing, Netbook OSs

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:41:04 +0000

[...] Gigaom has a good update on netbook operating systems. [...]

By: tom

tom — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:44:45 +0000

it kind of funny. i put XP on a 2G eeePC as kind of a challange to see how easy it would be(i am much more a linux guy). but on all the more recent netbooks i have purchased I had no choice but to buy with windows and than reformat with linux. i really do wish they would offer the identical hardware with and without windows; allowing me to save the liscense fee. i own a few retail copies of XP and could allways install one that i am no longer using on another machine if needed; but i certainly do not need anymore OEM windows.

another thing that i have noticed is that when any netbook vendor releases both a windows and a linux version of a miachine the linux versions is a very barebones.limited functionality distro and comes with a lesser hardware configurations. the windows version is the higher end machine. i wish they would ship with identical hardware and that a full blown linux distro that can really show off the great possiblities was included on the linux version.

By: virtual online worlds for kids

virtual online worlds for kids — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:21:22 +0000

yes indeed, windows 7 is cheap and good enough.

By: rohit

rohit — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:43 +0000

Greg: actually I meant that the UI, presentation, rendering engine/layout engine and most of the Apps will be common across the two platforms. a palm sized “super”phone and a 10 inch or larger size netbook. I see distinct usage scenarios for both and would love to have the same iApple OR Android Apps on both devices (potentially w/ Sync-ed ‘state’)…

By: rrk

rrk — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:14:17 +0000

I think you can predict that given the price compression of netbook will happen to go from current $279 ASP to perhaps $150 over time, there is no room for a >$5 OS on it.

I think netbook will force a fork in the relationship between INTEL and Microsoft – because Intel needs to get to the smartphone eventually and Netbook is the beginning for them.

By: Greg Bowen

Greg Bowen — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:25:10 +0000

I disagree – phones are great for light facebooking – but netbooks can function as computers – I will even pop open photoshop in a pinch – they need to bump the keyboards up a bit though.

My acer is awesome – 6 cell battery burns me out – I have been using it all the time.

By: Doug Mohney

Doug Mohney — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:39:38 +0000

Or, Microsoft goes one better and offers a multi-device license/discounts for Windows 7

Device one – list
Devices 2-4, if mobile/netbook, lower…

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:10:01 +0000

Windows 7 starter edition will be $25 by next June if not Dec.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:08:41 +0000

I agree with rohit. Windows mobile will be free by December. Windows 7 will be $25 by next June if not Dec.

By: rohit

rohit — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:17:34 +0000

the netbooks markeplace will be adjacent and eventually merge with the smart/superphones…see Acer launching smartphones/touchphones:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d30ec99a-5a9d-11de-8c14-00144feabdc0.html?referrer_id=yahoofinance&ft_ref=yahoo1&segid=03058

Android will be a bigger factor – Microsoft may be forced to asymptotically approach zero dollar pricing on the OS / Win Mobile…