Comments on: Why Don’t Linux-based Netbooks Have the Same H/W as Windows Ones?

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 12:21:04 +0000

I think paying for XP is precisely the problem. Who wants to line the pockets of Microsoft? If I want a Linux machine (either pre-installed or self-installed) then I also want the warm fuzzy feeling of NOT having paid a cent to M$ – stick it to the man I say!

By: Bruno

Bruno — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:07:24 +0000

@turn.self.off: Thanks!

By: turn.self.off

turn.self.off — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:03:52 +0000

@bruno: http://www.umpcportal.com/2008/07/microsoft-eases-up-on-ulcpc-criteria

By: Bruno

Bruno — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:42:45 +0000

“Microsoft forbids using more than 1gb of ram” – never heard of this, where is it documented?

By: Sumocat

Sumocat — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:02:23 +0000

Also, the first Eee was a low-cost PC, which is why they launched with Linux, and there was no comparable Windows option, so people did buy the no-name (even Asus was not a consumer brand at the time) to save money. The Linux version lost considerable traction after comparably priced Windows-based netbooks hit the market. What you call “nonsense” is actually recorded history.

By: Raphael Salgado

Raphael Salgado — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:26:18 +0000

You’re paying for that XP license, so consider that wasted money that you could have used towards an additional stick of RAM, a nice leather case, or even a spare battery.

By: Sumocat

Sumocat — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:17:54 +0000

Pfft. So says the guy who obviously doesn’t know what a brand is. Linux is not a brand. Ubuntu, Red Hat, Android, those are brands. And since you didn’t cite it, I’m guessing you don’t even know off the top of your head the flavor of Linux that runs on the Eee PC. Shows what brand power that OS has. You’ve practically proven my point.

By: turn.self.off

turn.self.off — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:28:59 +0000

and add even more fuel to the “the customer do not want linux” argument?

By: bigbearomaha

bigbearomaha — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:17:12 +0000

If I really want the system, I will buy the Windows one and replace it with Linux the moment it comes out of the box.

By: zorg

zorg — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:19:49 +0000

What nonsense! The first netbook (first EEE) ran Linux and sold wildly. THEN and ONLY THEN did Microsoft make a full-court press to get Windows on them. The presence of Windows on ANY netbook is due to an intensive campaign coupled with a complete about-face on Vista.

It would not surprise me to find that parent is an astroturfer and that phrases like “generics and no-names” reflect a current coordinated Microsoft anti-Linux tactic. This tactic would probably work if Linux were a firm rather than a community. Microsoft does not know how to destroy a community.

By: Raphael Salgado

Raphael Salgado — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:47:16 +0000

I had this problem when I was trying to order my Dell Mini 9 over a month ago (they just shipped it today, can you believe the wait time?!).

Ultimately, after so much frustration with Dell sales support (and my EPP rep), it came down to a Microsoft’s licensing issue which is why there’s such a discrepancy. The XP version of the Mini 9 offered only 512MB or 1GB RAM, and up to 16GB SSD, and optional 3G WWAN. The Ubuntu version allowed the full 2GB RAM spec, up to 64GB SSD, but no WWAN. I wanted the best of both worlds, 2GB / 64GB SSD / 3G / no OS needed (I have my own XP license, a copy of Ubuntu, and a spare retail Leopard disc & license for a possible Hackintosh hobby). No such luck.

I valued the 64GB SSD more over the 3G mini-PCIe option, since the SSD is so backordered and internal space is priority over any USB 3G dongle I can pick up anytime. Well see how it turns out when it arrives tomorrow. ;)

By: animatio

animatio — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:57:52 +0000

that’s why a have on all my (originally) win machines a linux dualboot install via wubi (in my case for kubuntu as i prefer kde). win for some sort of general compatibility with the masses – linux for security.

By: animatio

animatio — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:51:05 +0000

yup – asus as the first “realizer” of the netbook hype always did it right: linux meant more for the same prize.
it is still this way: e.g an eee 1000 linux costs about 60£ less with same specs or an eee 900 came with bigger ssd (in fact to the day with 20gb the biggest ones in these small machines).
whereas acer and other succers in the hype did exactly the opposite. their linux systems offer less (sometimes much less) for “a seemingly” better prize. in fact they only realized less saucy systems, because linux allows this to do (less resources-hungry, but still performant), resulting in selling systems that are badly positioned for a win XP install. one might even suspect, that these linux machines in fact were/are over prized. (by the way: it is somehow not astonishing too, that exactly these manufacturers reported the highest return rates for linux machines from custumers)

By: Ricky B.

Ricky B. — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:21:24 +0000

Yes, I think you are right — Microsoft forbids using more than 1gb of ram.

By: w

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:21:40 +0000

Why go with Android if you can install a full Linux like Ubuntu?

By: turn.self.off

turn.self.off — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:10:30 +0000

@w and also allow them to go “we tried but there was no market for linux based products” when the sales fail to pass a goal post or other…