32% Netbook market share:

[debtboy]

Dec. 7, 2009

ABI Research just published some new data and the numbers reveal that the overall market share for Linux on netbooks is currently at about 32.1 percent, with a little over 11 million units preloaded with Linux shipping in 2009.

http://www.linuxnewstoday.org/linux-...nux-news.shtml

[wdhpr]

32% Netbook market share:

Cool

However I can't imagine that Microsoft will just sit around and not do something about this.

Considering the surprising growth in 2008 and the fact that ARM-powered netbooks and smartbooks, which cannot and will not run any Windows version other than Windows CE, are just around the corner, I have to wonder if Stephen Lim had it right all along.

You can also bet this a hot topic at the Microsoft board meetings. I can imagine Microsoft is getting busy on a windows version compatible with the hardware, however linux has a leg up with doing more with less and this appears to be Microsoft's Achilles heel.

I also wonder about the long term viability of netbooks or Balckberry's in general. Why own a blackberry, smartphone..etc and a netbook. Owning a blackberry myself I would rather just have a regular cell phone so I can check my e-mails and then ready access to a netbook with more capabilities and a keyboard that I can actually use. I am curious on how this will shake its self out in the future.

Bottom line this maybe another niche best filled by linux

Cheers
Wdhpr

[Jojo Yee]

After ABI Research projected that Linux represents a 32 percent share of netbooks in 2009 and will overtake Windows in 2013, we spoke with ABI analyst Jeffrey Orr. Orr notes the rise of international consumers and ARM-based netbooks, and discusses Ubuntu, Moblin, Android, and Chrome OS.

Full article from DesktopLinux

[MidnightCowboy]

I'm also thinking that the use of Linux on netbooks will bring users into contact with an OS they might not otherwise have seen. In the long term I can only see this encouraging them to use Linux on their home PC too

[Jojo Yee]

In the beginning of this year, I bought an HP Mini with XP pre-installed. I actually asked for one without the Windoze so that I could get it cheaper by about US$100. The retailer said they did not sell one without Windoze, which was really dozing me off! Can't the buyers have freedom of choice?

Now I'm thinking of installing a free Ubuntu Remix into it and surrender Windoze. Can I ask for a refund from M$ by surrendering the license to them. I remember it seems to have such a case in US?

[bk_7312]

Originally Posted by Jojoyee

Can I ask for a refund from M$ by surrendering the license to them. I remember it seems to have such a case in US?

Sure you can and such a case did happen, someone got his Windows license refunded and donated the money to Linux Mint. Though I wouldn't recommend anyone to do that since it's a bit risky and troublesome.

See here: http://www.linuxmint.com/blog/?p=1073

[Jojo Yee]

I wouldn't go through the process to ask for a refund. It's just that we should be allowed by the manufacturers to buy their products with or without the OS pre-installed.

[miskairal]

Originally Posted by MidnightCowboy

I'm also thinking that the use of Linux on netbooks will bring users into contact with an OS they might not otherwise have seen. In the long term I can only see this encouraging them to use Linux on their home PC too

This is exactly what I was thinking/hoping. Personally I have yet to get round to trying Linux but I just don't like the microsoft monopoly that includes the 60 days of ms office. In fact that makes my blood boil when I see pensioners fork out to buy ms office after the 60 days because they don't know they don't need it. Go Linux!!

[Jojo Yee]

Originally Posted by bk_7312

Sure you can and such a case did happen, someone got his Windows license refunded and donated the money to Linux Mint. Though I wouldn't recommend anyone to do that since it's a bit risky and troublesome.

See here: http://www.linuxmint.com/blog/?p=1073

Thanks for the link. This guy has good and gentle perseverance.

So eventually I got my refund. It took me 12 email exchanges in total, and Dell probably didn’t get a refund from Microsoft for the license. But I suspect that every time someone secures a license refund, it has a more than proportionate effect on the PC manufacturers’ next round of negotiations with Microsoft, gently loosening their tight monopoly grip on the operating system market.

[debtboy]

I think Netbooks are a good medium as well as flash/thumb/pen drives to get linux in the hands of potential users.
Freedom of choice , is all we ask, and a little exposure.