Microsoft's Fears Realized: Netbooks are Killing Off Windows Laptops at an Alarming Rate
Posted 02/17/09 at 10:39:12 AM by Paul Lilly
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If you're Intel, you have to be ecstatic at the recent trend towards owning a netbook. At a time when many tech companies are posting big losses, the surprising success of netbooks is helping Intel to weather the storm through sales of its Atom processor. But if you're Microsoft, the mood might be decidedly different, even if the company isn't letting on.
On one hand, Microsoft should be thrilled to see more PCs end up in the hands of end users, but that only applies if they come equipped with a Windows-based operating system. And while many netbooks now come configured with Windows XP, Linux is much more prevalent on netbooks than it is on notebooks, which is the result of both underpowered hardware and a desire to keep costs low.
The bad news for Microsoft is that the trend towards netbooks doesn't look to be letting up any time soon. Recent IDC figures show that if you take Atom processor sales out of the equation, total PC shipments are down almost 22 percent. As netbooks continue to sell, that means more users are becoming familiar with Linux, and at a time when Linux is far more user friendly than even one or two years ago.
Are we nearing the year of the penguin?
LInux Windows NetBooks
Submitted by zbeckerd on Mon, 03/02/2009 - 9:13am
Windows 7 and people who do not maxiumpc. Starting with xp my customers prefer me to set it up like 98 (classic). Vista was different enough that I reccomended that those looking for a new pc check out Mac's. Since they had to learn to use a new user interface anyway, those that could, did switch. I have not had to do a single system restore on a Mac thus far.
Ubuntu is so very near being ready for the home user. If public government would adopt open systems, as they should, adoption of linux would boom. The user interface on netbooks and more cloud computing makes the need for Windows and OSX nil in the coming years. VM machines can handle any legacy needs.
I am reading and writing this thread on a old p3 128mb ram compaq
laptop. I have 5 tabs open in my seamonkey browser (ever missed that
netscape look?). I notice no speed issue (well maybe a little) doing this and also have
another window in the background with a shell and text editor. How is
this possible...Puppy linux.Most days I begin my day on a treadmill using this setup to do mail, read news and get some exercise. I just hit 2.5 miles
So You Want To Compete With Linux Do You?
Submitted by periodhyphenund... on Tue, 02/24/2009 - 1:24pm
Microsoft could make Billions of Dollers on the most successful version of it's operating system ever created but they are required by the Govt. to keep it's NSA approved Total Spyware versions of its O.S. in circulation and nothing more! EVER!!!!
1. Do you think a READ ONLY version of Microsoft XP would be popular?
2. Would you like to have an XP version that could be installed to a Thumbdrive or DVD that would boot ALL of your computers without spying on you or requiring you to activate through Microsoft Spy Servers?
3. Would you like a copy of XP that would NEVER connect to the Internet on its own and would never allow any programs on your computer to connect on their own?
4. Would you Pay as Much for a Copy of XP that doesn't Spy on you as you already paid for a copy that does?
5. Would you like to have a Copy of Microsoft XP that could never possibly reduce it's functionallity, expire, or prevent you from using YOUR Computer the way YOU Want to?
6. Would you even pay EXTRA $$$ for a Secure O.S. from Microsoft?Well Microsoft, What The Fuck are you waiting for?
An engraved invitation?
Submitted by periodhyphenund... on Tue, 02/24/2009 - 1:20pm
Microsoft could make Billions of Dollers on the most successful version of it's operating system ever created but they are required by the Govt. to keep it's NSA approved Total Spyware versions of its O.S. in circulation and nothing more! EVER!!!!
1. Do you think a READ ONLY version of Microsoft XP would be popular?
2. Would you like to have an XP version that could be installed to a Thumbdrive or DVD that would boot ALL of your computers without aspying on you or requiring you to activate through Microsoft Spy Servers?
3. Would you like a copy of XP that would NEVER connect to the Internet on its own and would never allow any programs on your computer to connect on their own?
4. Would you Pay as Much for a Copy of XP that doesn't Spy on you as you already paid for a copy that does?
5. Would you like to have a Copy of Microsoft XP that could never possibly reduce it's functionallity, expire, or prevent you from using YOUR Computer the way YOU Want to?
6. Would you even pay EXTRA $$$ for a Secure O.S. from Microsoft?Well Microsoft, What The Fuck are you waiting for?
An engraved invitation?
Microsoft Should sell OS like anti virus company- 1License for3!
Submitted by arkarkwin on Tue, 02/24/2009 - 12:40pm
Since Many of us has more than two or three computer at home. I serious I think Microsoft should sell it's Os like Anti virus company sell the software. If you buy a 50 to 80 dollars worth of an anti virus suit you are allowed to use it on 3 computers. Which is great because that is the number of computers average households have now a day. Sell a window Os complete version for more or less $200 for 3 computer and I am sure many people would buy them everytime microsoft does release a new Os. And released them like Ubuntu do, once every six months or a year.
you do relize
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 02/24/2009 - 1:47pm
if MS followed your Anti virus example that would be $200 for the first year and then $200 every year there after to keep windows update and driver updates up to date.
Submitted by samduhman on Wed, 02/18/2009 - 8:19am
I still think Microsofts declining support for PC Gamers these days plays a big part. PC gamers are a huge asset for Microsoft. We need its OS to play games. Many friends and family ask us for recommendations and we tell them what we are fimiliar with which is Windows. When MS went XBOX many PC gamers jumped ship. Even moreso when the 360 hit with HD graphics. So the love of the MS OS just isn't as strong as it used to be.
Also stop charging so much for the OS. With households like mine where there are a half dozen computers there is no way I'm upgrading them all with the latest and greatest OS considering the price. Make it $50 for a fully functional home version (not a basic) and it will sell.
Submitted by nekollx on Wed, 02/18/2009 - 9:55am
games cost $50, but need the OS to run. The OS is the most important piece of softhwere in your computer, comparing its value to a Game is asinine. I'll admit $400 bucks for a OS is insane though. The OS sould cost no more then 3 times the value of a game. IE $150
Submitted by MeTo on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 11:29pm
If microsoft did not sell there OS for so much money they could sell more netbooks. If i buy another Note book you better belive i will look real good at a linux net book. I am tired of paying the microsoft tax. UBUNTU 8.10 is sweet and "FREE"!
Submitted by HeartBurnKid on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 4:20pm
Installed Ubuntu, booted up, was prompted to install drivers, clicked OK, drivers downloaded and installed automatically, rebooted, done.
EDIT: Err... that was meant to be a reply to the comments below re: Linux drivers. Hate the MPC commenting system so much...
If the released version of
Submitted by horzo on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 1:37pm
If the released version of Windows 7 ends up as efficient as the beta seems to be, I suspect MS will have no trouble selling it to netbook maufacturers. Let's face it - most end users will have a much easier time with Windows than a Linux variant.
Rumor has it that the return rate on Linux netbooks has been pretty high.
1GB Ram limit?
Submitted by Bender2000 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:45pm
Is it true that Win XP netbooks are limited to 1GB RAM at MicroSoft's request? That would hamstring them further. Well, cheap is cheap. Especially in these tough economic times you can't mistake low price for value. Netbooks creep up past $500 they are competeing against real laptops. Anyone ever compare a netbook against a notebook in the $500 range? Even with a Pentium M CPU I think the real keyboard and screen would be big advantages to teh notebook.
Nope I have 2GB on my MSI
Submitted by RedAnt751 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 11:19pm
Nope I have 2GB on my MSI Win U-100 with Windows XP.
Submitted by N25PHILLY on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:35pm
I can't remember the last time I say a netbook with linux advertised
Well the
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:58pm
Well the EeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeePC has a linux version and I think that Acer One has a Linux version and really at WalMart why is there more than One version of the Acer One netbook? kinda stupid. Should have named it the Acer 5 or 6 or something like that.
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:56pm
thats because it's usually advertised as "costom <company> experience"
Submitted by netbookconvert on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 11:49am
Guess I should have mentioned the Internet....? What I use, canbe (and was) all obtained online. You can really do that now! Check it out sometime. Also, with wireless networking, you can use a drive elsewhere on the network.
Submitted by mls067 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 11:44am
The biggest turn off for me in linux is some stuff like updating graphics drivers and installing programs can be a real pain to do. When you go to the forums for help, people will help but they assume I know how to do things like recompile the kernal or unpack whatever and this and that. Ugh! Yes windows has made me lazy, it should be that way now. I shouldn't have to go to terminal and type out a bunch of cryptic commands.
Submitted by BaggerX on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 7:03pm
When's the last time you used Linux? Ever use Ubuntu? Nothing at all like what you're talking about...
Submitted by mls067 on Wed, 02/18/2009 - 4:02pm
I believe it was ubuntu 8.10 that was the last one I have used. I could not for the life of me get the refresh rate to change to an acceptable level to use it for long periods of time. I tried everything that was in the forums and eventually gave up. Like it has been stated, going into terminal typing sudo this to cd that, how is a normal non-power user suppose to know that? Linux will not be ready for maistream until terminal is nothing more than a power toy and not a main tool for making everything just work.
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Wed, 02/18/2009 - 8:15pm
If you use an LCD display your maximum refresh rate is 60hz. You risk damaging your display if you go beyond that. A CRT display like an old TV then they usually allow you to set your refresh to about 80hz. But if it's LCD it's 60hz thats in Windows and Linux.
Submitted by mls067 on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 2:08pm
an old 17in. crt. I was just trying to get it to 72, or better 75. The only option I was getting was 60, which kills my brain. Like I said it just became such a pain to try and figure out that I just gave up. I have been working with windows machines since '96 and can not think of ever having this problem. I never really had a lot of DOS background, I can do the basics and I even took a class last year for Unix to try and get a better understanding of the OS. The class ended up being "learn the basic commands and how to write small scripts." Interseting but I didn't learn a whole lot. I guess if I had continued on with the advance classes I would have learned more. I would truely love to get Linux doing what I want, but most of the stuff I need/do is windows based so I really don't see a need to switch to Linux. If it becomes more mainstream and the apps./games I play are ported over and easy to install and run, I'd be more than happy to use it. I am not trying to bash any OS here, I am a nerd at heart and love to tinker with stuff,,but only when it's fun ;-)
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 12:20pm
Yep every version of Windows and Dos for that matter has been easier to use and install drivers into than Linux. In windows you just click on the setup.exe file to install software, in DOS it was you needed to CD to the CD or the Disket or Directory your program was on and type at the command prompt Install.exe and press Enter.
In linux you have to goto the Terminal and at the prompt CD to the directory that contains the executable and once there you still have to type sudo make or some other install command but I'm using the Creative Linux Xfi Driver as an example here you type sudo make and press enter and you have to enter your root login name and password and press enter again and this time type make install and press enter and the xfi drivers install themselves. As for Nvidia drivers you have to if you don't have an option with in your package manager to install it automatically you have to install the drivers from the terminal and edit the x files or something or other and just cross your fingers and pull your hair out and scream and cry and never really get anywhere until you finally just say fuck you to linux and delete the Linux Partitions and restore your windows bootloaded for another six month stint when you get that wild hair causes you to become interested in Linux again and try it again.
Submitted by grayscare0 on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 2:48pm
I couldn't agree more.
Submitted by Budgetperson on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 3:22pm
I agree Linux can be a PITA sometimes, but usually it's not that hard. 99% of drivers atcually come with linux, so you don't need to do any cd inserting and running a setup program. In Ubuntu (and most user-friendly linux distros) Nvidia drivers are a snap, you go into Hardware Drivers, and you enable one for your videocard, logout-login, and your done. Although I know if it doesn't work, it can really screw up your computer and have you frustrated (but for me its always worked).
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 7:13pm
I couldn't get linux nvidia drivers to work in any distro with SLI two video cards like Ubuntu and Mandrake would both reboot to the command prompt with all commands to launch KDE or Gnome a futile effort but it does work with a single Nvidia card. I upgraded to a single GTX280 and the drivers in Ubuntu and Mandrake work great. I realise you don't need sli in Linux but that fact that the Nvidia drivers crashed to the command prompt until I removed the SLI bridge is crazy.
Submitted by netbookconvert on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 11:39am
I've had one of these since November and it quite literally does everthing I want it to, as fast as I want at 2 pounds and smaller than most books. They've taken 30% of the laptop market in what?...less than a few months? I don't have to lug a desktop replacement machine through airports anymore. Linux? I'm innocent on that subject, so I'll leave it alone. WinXP runs great on it.
Deal with the new world, people.
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 11:41am
You got that program that you really need to install on your netbook but all you have is your disk and your netbook. Ha ha ha ha your screwed. No disk drive of any kind for you netbook consumer.
Submitted by Budgetperson on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 11:37am
From the looks of this article, it isn't really talking about linux and windows, just that netbooks are making up a lot of the laptop segment. But your assuming lots of them come with linux. They do, but more people like to buy Windows Netbooks. Also as another commenter said, people aren't very happy with netbooks. I don't know what people see in them. What I really don't like about netbooks is their keyboards also. Laptops are bad enough, but I can't stand netbook keyboards (I'm spoiled with my msft ergonomic 4000 keyboard :D).
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 11:39am
You know what really bothers me is that there are full size fully featured with albeit crappy intel graphics but still $500dollars buys you quite alot of laptop. These laptops can run any office app and they all come with DVD burners, pleanty of ram, and relatively large LCD's and a slew of network connections. This is of course in comparison to a netbook at the same price of $500 dollars. For under $400dollars you still get a great laptop that greatly outperforms any netbook again with a DVD burner you know fully featured to watch movies and perform all manner of office work and even edit photo and video.
Instead of looking at the netbooks as an option that isn't even a good option for students these cheap laptops are a real steal. Laptops have never been as cheap and as fully featured as they are today.
If I recall from an article on this website a few weeks ago there are a large percentage of netbook consumers that regret their purchases. Extremely disappointed with their netbooks. When people that don't know anything about computers buy a netbook they expect the same experience that their friends have on their desktop and laptop computers and your just not going to get that.
I say there needs to be a warning on netbook advertisements and boxes giving notice that Netbooks are really slow, Are only capable of browsing the web and email and a few very few other tasks and it will do all this very slowly.
Submitted by that Linux guy on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 9:48am
Actually, I see the contrary. I see so many people opting to buy netbooks pre-installed with Windows, or buying the Linux versions on the cheap and installing Windows themselves. I do agree that netbooks are hitting laptop sales, but the year of the penguin won't happen with netbooks.
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 11:48am
wark, wark, wark!
Submitted by Lord Omega on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 9:24am
7.10 is by far my favorite version Ubuntu, but I have gone from 7.10 to 8.04, then to 8.10, and each ones was more easier than the last. If you are not use to Ubuntu to be want something like it, Linux Mint is the best choice.
When I first began using Linux back in Dec of 2007, I have never used it before. Changing to it was a challenge. Since it is not windows not Mac, I have never used it before. But as I went on, it became more apparent that the interface is kind of like a cross between windows and mac (being it uses Gnome as the primary interface and having someone of a context menu like that in windows). After about a week, I fell in love. Ever since, I haven't looked back. But for it to become more user friendlt, users need to be informed on how to do things and where things are. Maybe in the next version (9.04) there could be a tutorial on how things are layed out. That would be a first step into making it more for "Humanity".
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