Linked by Quentin Hartman on Mon 14th Jul 2008 09:58 UTC, submitted by Dan Warne
Linux So you thought Linux was the key to the Eee PC's success? Not so, according to ASUS. "The bulk of the requests and requirements we see in the marketplace are for the model with Windows rather than Linux," says Henry Lee, Acer's senior product manager. "It's a give and take between simplicity of usage for the masses versus full customisation. The Linux version is really only to use exactly what is provided, and someone in the know can easily remove what's been installed. But consumers are accustomed to the Windows environment, and the Windows version will be a stronger player eventually." Editor's Note: More broadly, this piece examines whether the popularity of the Eee and its Linux-bearing cousins will be sustained, or if they will ultimately get beaten out in the netbook space by Windows-based versions. What do you think?
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RE[3]: Of course not
by Snapper on Mon 14th Jul 2008 13:53 UTC in reply to "RE[2]: Of course not"
Snapper
Member since:
2005-11-16

Well, MS has definitely seen the writing on the wall and is trying to slim down Windows.
You can already buy eee sized laptops with 120GB hdd and 1GB ram so the only problem left would be the cpu.

I think they'll probably slim it down enough to claim that it "runs" on these machines - and "running" means moving slightly faster than a snail ;)



Just like the hardware is limited, the OS must also be (Yoda?). What I am saying is that you can't expect to do the same thing with this laptop as with a full size.

I can browse and use the web with no problem (other than screen size being too narrow).

Can listen to my music either on the SSD or off of flash.

Performance is just fine. The Eee is very usable with XP if you set it up properly.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 1

RE[4]: Of course not
by RandomGuy on Mon 14th Jul 2008 14:55 in reply to "RE[3]: Of course not"
RandomGuy Member since:
2006-07-30

I can browse the net and listen to music with just about any OS.
The only real reason for putting any flavor of Windows on this thing is using apps like Word, Excel, Photoshop, ...

Besides, I was talking about Vista/Windows 7, not XP.
[Should've made that clear though]
XP is getting plenty long in the tooth - people won't be using it forever.

That's why MS has to make Windows 7 about as fast as XP.

What I'd really like to see are ARM based 8-10" laptops with a battery life of about 12-18 hours. That's where Linux could really show its strength.

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RE[5]: Of course not
by flanque on Mon 14th Jul 2008 21:33 in reply to "RE[4]: Of course not"
flanque Member since:
2005-12-15

I can browse the net and listen to music with just about any OS.
The only real reason for putting any flavor of Windows on this thing is using apps like Word, Excel, Photoshop, ...


People are used to and 'trust' Windows, even if they realise there's lots of security updates. Microsoft makes it. They're a big company. They HAVE to be trustworthy, right?? ;-)

Besides, I was talking about Vista/Windows 7, not XP.
[Should've made that clear though]
XP is getting plenty long in the tooth - people won't be using it forever.


Well nothing lasts forever in tech, but it'll be around for a long time still. It's possibly to find Windows 3.11 in some offices still.. DOS even.

What I'd really like to see are ARM based 8-10" laptops with a battery life of about 12-18 hours. That's where Linux could really show its strength.


Maybe, but Linux has several more significant hurdles to overcome beyond battery life. My experience is that most non-techs still haven't heared of this thing called "Linux", and those that have are still quite confused about what Linux will really offer above Windows.

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