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Microsoft already won the Netbook OS wars

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.

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Avatar for Abe Olandres

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 considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

24 Responses

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  3. Avatar for Pepe Maglutac Pepe Maglutac says:

    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 ;)

  4. Avatar for Eric Eric says:

    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.

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