[ Microsoft ]

Microsoft already won the Netbook OS wars

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief May 5, 2009 · 2 min read

Listen to article

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE announced GPD MicroPC 2 with Intel Core 3 N350 announced Nintendo Direct to unveil Switch 2 games for second half of 2026 iOS 27 Beta Is Out, But You'll Need to Join a Waitlist to Try the New Siri AI Everything Apple Announced at WWDC 2026

GigaOm’s recent entry talks about the “Fight for the Netbook Operating System” and I say what fight? I think Microsoft already won that battle months ago.

I wrote something similar back in October 2008 (Is Linux Failing the Netbooks?). Some might say it’s too early to say yet all the signs are pointing to Microsoft XP taking the role of the quarterback.
eee pc

Asus was a pioneer with the netbook and they did it with a free Linux-flavored OS, Xandros. It was supposed to be the big chance for Linux to go mainstream but the idea that netbooks are underpowered and can only run light OSes like Xandros or Ubuntu did not fly. Windows XP became the #1 alternative. If my Pentium 3 450MHz with 256RAM can run XP very well, why not a Celeron 900MHz or an Atom 1.6GHz?
Acer and Asus fought fiercely at the top of the list for market share and moved on to develop newer models. None of the newer models have the Linux option. Everything runs in Windows. Acer and Asus would not say why they scrapped Linux altogether but I think we all know why. Even the switchers from Vista didn’t really moved away and went Penguin; they just downgraded to XP.
After sales support could have been costly. It’s cheaper to get tech support for Windows than for Linux. Besides, most sales engineers on the retailers side are just familiar with one OS, Windows. Retailers would not spend more money for a new hire just to be able to expertly support Linux.
Windows 7 is just around the corner. Even if XP is permanently laid to rest, Windows 7 will eagerly wait to replace it (skipping the dreaded Vista altogether). The timing is just right.

Well, there could be other potential contenders like the Android OS but it’s just that — potential. In a new but growing market like netbooks, everybody wants in and competition is so fierce that one wrong move could spell your defeat or success. HP learned that the hard way with the Mini 2133.

The time to experiment on an OS+CPU netbook combo is over and I think no one else is willing to bet on alternatives.

React to this article:

microsoft windows xp

Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

8,007 Articles

View all posts by Abe Olandres →

48 Comments

how does remote desktop work · 15 years ago

I am trying to login into the Terminal Services Remote Desktop. … but the Terminal Services ActiveX Client control is not listed as option to …

halo888 · 17 years ago

I will install windows 7 release candidate 1 to netbooks/laptops with no os (or dual boot) for a fee. check out my multiply site for detailsâ€¦

http://halo8888.multiply.com/photos/album/4

Pepe Maglutac · 17 years ago

It really makes me sad that netbooks are starting to use Windows…

I myself am a big fan of the open-source idealism as a whole, and am a big supporter of linux.

But, sad as I may be, I have to agree with the article. Everyone who’s ever used a computer has used XP, and most people are familiar with it. So, naturally, to follow the demands of the multitude, companies would have to cater to the consumers…

As it stands, I believe only dell still offers linux versions of their netbooks regularly and dell is, well, not too big in the Philippines.

I have to say though, when I first installed Linuz on my desktop, I struggled A LOT with it. But when I installed it on my Aspire One, it worked PERFECTLY. Just goes to show how the older netbooks are really maximized for linux performance ;)

Eric · 17 years ago

ASUS’ eee PC used Linux to bring the cost down because it was orignally planned to be THE $100 PC. Now that netbooks have caught people’s fancies and cost no longer became an issue, they felt it okay to integrate Windows again.

I think the real reason why people choose Windows over Linux is the price difference. Free unfamiliar Linux vs. FREE (as in pirated) familiar Windows.

iMadrid · 17 years ago

They fail to recognize that there are advanced users who hack their netbooks to run MacOSX Leopard. Popular hackintosh netbooks are MSI Wind, Dell Mini 9 and the Asus EEE PC. The reason is Apple doesn’t make netbooks yet. Its a workable compromise but it really doesn’t really feel like a Mac that came from Apple Inc.

Joel · 17 years ago

yup MS easily ruled the netbooks, it doesn’t take long for consumers to get confused with linux operating system.

Ani · 17 years ago

Windows 7 also requires the Intel CPU to have IVT (Intel Virtualization technology) in order for it’s WinXP emulation mode to run. No problem with the more recent netbooks since the Atom alread has IVT built in. Both those running the older Via chips are out of luck – Win7 is still Vista underneath so XP application compatiblity is still an issue.

Jazon · 17 years ago

“letâ€™s face it guysâ€¦

you canâ€™t live without windows.

linux will stay as a server os no matter how media hype they doâ€¦”

No, I think not. I’ve been using Linux in my desktop PC for more than a year. No Windows. And I am glad for that.

Windows 7 for netbooks is the crippled edition. I think it will create backlash against MS when buyers find out they have to shell out more cash for a more functional Windows 7.

For me, it’s wiser to use an OS that is more secure and more economical to maintain.

MS may have won the OS war on netbooks, but it’s a 900 pound gorilla vs a 90 pound penguin. It’s not even a fair fight. But since data shows that Linux is still growing in use and eating away at MS’s market, I think Linux will enjoy market recognition, not dominance, in the near future.

Kenneth Yamat · 17 years ago

have yuga made a write up about the window 7 beta or the just released RC? any suggestion if we should try the beta or release candidate and pay full later?

loadex · 17 years ago

$15 per notebook sold with WinXP?… better than having none at all if a pirated version will be used.

Linux made it almost on the mainsteam.. but reality bites.. familiarity with XP beats them.

Unknown Soldier · 17 years ago

let’s face it guys…

you can’t live without windows.

linux will stay as a server os no matter how media hype they do…

Unknown Soldier · 17 years ago

let’s face it guys…

you can’t live without windows.

linux is best for servers but not on desktop users.

Ani · 17 years ago

Portable Ubuntu, you can have the benefits of both. Runs as a Windows task and the Ubuntu synaptics package manager works just fine :)

http://lifehacker.com/5195999/portable-ubuntu-runs-ubuntu-inside-windows

http://portableubuntu.demonccc.cloudius.com.ar/

Darren · 17 years ago

MONOPLY!!!!

Jhay · 17 years ago

Perhaps Android OS was not meant for the netbook, rather for the mobile phone. And this would be very a very interesting fight.

John Ray Cabrera · 17 years ago

on the other hand, there has been a flurry that microsoft will cease mainstream support of vista come 2012.

while i always like mac as an OS, to have mac on a netbook is just darn too expensive.

BrianB · 17 years ago

“According to Liliputing, Microsoft makes only $15 dollars for every netbook sold with WinXP, compared to the usual $50 retail price of WinXP.”

Might as well not bother. They seem to be more afraid of linux than Mac Os, and why do retail companies sell XP netbooks at such extravagant premiums?

BrianB · 17 years ago

you know where to get a linux netbook. Basta 8 inches o mas malaki. It has to have open office preloaded na.

bintoytech · 17 years ago

According to Liliputing, Microsoft makes only $15 dollars for every netbook sold with WinXP, compared to the usual $50 retail price of WinXP.

http://www.liliputing.com/2009/04/microsoft-makes-15-for-every-netbook-sold-with-windows-xp.html

Domotics · 17 years ago

nobody can beat microsoft

supermamon · 17 years ago

Windows 7 RC just came out. Maybe you can try it out on your experiments as well.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

miko · 17 years ago

i rushed to get the eee701 when it came out. i stuck to the Xandros “expert mode” and really loved the relatively instant-on & shut down.

i was still in school though, and i really needed MS Office to keep up with powerpoint and excel files. the open office alternatives just weren’t cutting it for me, so i had to switch to XP. nLited and blackbox-shelled, though.

XP wins just for compatibility and convenience.

early reports also suggest that Windows 7 will also work for netbooks, yes?