SlashGear Japan
Acer and Toshiba have revealed that more than 90-percent of their netbooks – the Aspire One and the Satellite NB100 – are sold with Windows XP rather than one of the compact Linux builds that are offered on the budget ultraportables. Dell, too, have confirmed that Windows XP sales have achieved similar dominance in netbooks as they have in the traditional PC space, while ASUS has shifted its Eee PC development priorities in response to the consumer demand.
In an email statement, ASUS suggested that Linux’s early lead in netbooks was predominantly down to the limited availability of models running the Microsoft OS. It would not, however, reveal the proportions of notebooks sold running Linux compared to those running XP.
“At the time of launch Linux volumes were higher as it was the only offering … ASUS recognised a demand for a Windows-based netbook. As such, the shift now is more towards Windows due to customer demand for Windows XP being that consumers are more familiar with the Windows platform” ASUS spokesperson
The news will likely come as a disappointment to open-source enthusiasts, who had harbored hopes that the wider availability of Linux as a pre-loaded OS would popularize it with the general public. However earlier reports suggested that Linux netbooks were more likely to be returned than their Windows counterparts, as users were unable to get to grips with the unfamiliar OS.
[via Pocket-lint]
8 Responses to “90% of netbooks sold use Windows XP say Acer & Toshiba”
Dan December 18, 2008
10% penetration is not bad. On par with, or better than, Apple, for instance.
NeutralWindsinger December 18, 2008
Linux is useless for the mainstream, they are very disappointed that the “clone” apps are inferior to the real thing and the simple fact that none of the more useful mainstream apps don’t exist on it.
-1There also has yet to be a good UI environment for Linux, besides OSX. Too many details, too much of linux present, etc. etc. etc.
TheHoldSteady December 18, 2008
Proving 90% of people enjoy viruses, exploits, and the Windows Tax. Ingrates.
+1beltenebros December 21, 2008
From Spain:
I cant buy the linux version, it doesnt exists on the shops. And if they have the model is more expensive.
Probably i will buy the windows version and install Linux.
+2Meganova December 21, 2008
10% penetration is indeed not bad considering prior to netbooks the only way you could get Linux computers was from specialist retailers.
The reason why Windows is still king is because of familiarity and the fact that, at least in the UK, no retail shop seems to allow you to see and play with a Linux flavour in action.
If customers could, you would see more people saving money and be impressed with common application compatability and on par usability. Linux is perfectly usable for simple netbook needs.
You first need more Linux users before more hardware and software manufactures actively design for it.
Neutralanonymous December 22, 2008
Since Linux is only 3.8% of desktops worldwide, this represents a treble penetrance. That’s pretty good!
Yeah, people are used to XP, which is a good OS (if you are lucky enough not to get a virus or trojan or rootkit). That’s why very few people switched to Vista and no one will switch to Windows 7.
But XP will stagnate and Linux continues to evolve. Most people see netbooks as disposable anyway, just like their cellphones.
10% Linux this time, 25% Linux next generation, then 90% Linux, as more people get used to it, figure out its free to upgrade, and is more secure.
Neutralanon79 December 27, 2008
Linux is more like 1% of desktop market.
Linux is a failure because people behind their development haven’t heard of even the most basic software engineering fundamentals. You have no reasonably stable software platform, no one is going to bother with you. You can’t develop a sane desktop OS when chaos is your methodology. Is it really a wonder?
I gave up on Linux going anywhere a long time ago.
NeutralAntonio December 29, 2008
The real question to make to Acer and Toshiba is: Do you offer the same notebooks with Linux than with XP? Because here, in Spain, if you try to buy in any shop an Acer or Toshiba notebook, in less than 1% they CAN offer you Linux, so how real is this data???
I have been with Linux since 10 years, and I am working for the Spanish Goverment and in my job no one of us is using Windows, everyone use Linux and 2 o 3 people use Mac. And we are not able to buy notebooks or desktop with Linux.
So I can’t believe this data of 10% because I don’t think it would be a good data.
Well, sorry for my english, and Happy Crhistmas and New Year.
Neutral