Back when the whole netbook thing started, Asus was king of the hill with a focus on netbooks with Linux pre-installed. Since they were kind of popular, it didn't take Microsoft long to start working together with Asus to 'port' Windows XP to the Asus line of netbooks, and with that, to other netbooks as well. The result was that Linux netbooks are now harder to find for many people. While Dell committed itself to Linux on netbooks, Asus has decided to just skip the first date and jump right into bed with Microsoft.
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Member since:2006-08-09
Agreed, but let's not forget that Asus loaded its EeePCs with Xandros from the very start. Xandros is not coincidentally a Microsoft-approved vendor. Few people realized that from every EeePC sold, Microsoft profited too because of its Xandros deal.
In any case, bye bye Asus. Since Dell has finally started to sell Ubuntu mini laptops in the Netherlands too now I'd kindly refer any Dutch people hanging around here to Dell, or of course, the Lemote Yeeloong. :-)
Dell seems to be less dependent of, or screwable by, Microsoft in this respect.
But as for all the other vendors, it'll only get more interesting as the Android thing comes up. And with American and European purchasing power dramatically declining, the margins on those netbook machines will only drop further. So if Microsoft wants to stop cannibalising its consumer market Vista sales (i.e., on the "regular" hardware sales) it has to come up with more than just this. :-)
Edited 2009-05-31 11:31 UTC
Member since:2007-03-04
There are some geeks inside their linux bubble that are light years away from business realities. Companies, and especially cheap hardware vendors are in desperate need for cash, because their margins are so low, compared to their costs. They need to find ways to make money, it's vital to stay in business. Netbooks are definitely not cash cows like Apple products. And to make money, you have to offer what your customer wants. Most computer users want Windows, they don't want Linux, in spite of geeks wanting it to be the opposite. Microsoft charges very little money to OEMs for the Windows licenses on netbooks, and offering Windows increases sales, so it makes perfect sense. I'm not saying Windows is good or bad, I just say this is what most people want on their netbook. They don't want Linux. Offering a product an audience doesn't want goes against business common sense. If a small percentage of users want Linux, fine, they can buy a pristine netbook and install it themselves, or they can buy a Linux netbook, but it's a small insignificant percentage that's hardly interesting from a business standpoint. So advertising a netbook that has Windows and the applications the regular user expects is definitely enticing and leads to sales.
Member since:2007-05-27
If this is really by Asus, this is the message they send:
"Yesterday we sold netbooks with broken software, but we didn't said you. Today we do, but you do not get a refund, a software update or a new netbook. Instead we ask you to buy a new netbook. If you buy this new netbook, you also will be screwed, but obviously we do not yet tell you. In less than a few years we will tell you the hardware of your netbook sucks. We will tell you that this is the reason why your Windows netbook got slow and why it got infected with virusses and other malware. Of course, this is still a secret today."
I wonder how much Microsoft had to pay Asus to damage its own reputation.
Does someone feel interested to create a website (or banner) that highlights this? For instance http://itsbetterwithoutasus.com/ . On this website it can be written that Asus today claims it sold broken netbooks and that its customers do not get a refund or any other free fix. Of course this website should link to the itsbetterwithwindows.com website. ...with a little press attention this can drive Asus to withdraw the whole campaign B-)
Another idea is to create an online petition for Asus EEE Linux owners. This petition should ask Asus to send *free* Windows XP licenses to Linux Eee PC owners *because* Asus today claims the Linux netbooks they sold are broken.
Member since:2007-03-04
Member since:2007-03-04
Member since:2005-11-11
Yes, the whois information and the design and tone of the entirely website screams "troll" and "hoax". But I read that Asus actually officially confirmed that this website is legit, and links it from the Asus website.
I can't find the source (I'm sure I read it somewhere) but I found it highly suspicious that Asus and Microsoft didn't take any measures after all the media hype. The website is obviously infringing Asus's and Microsoft's trademarks, so if it was actually a troll then Asus/MS would have sent this guy a cease & desist.
Member since:
2006-01-06
We used to sell crap. It had unfamiliar interface and serious compatibility issues. You couldn't run iTunes on it. You couldn't play your DRM-encrypted porn. Now, we realized our mistakes. Throw your old netbooks away, and get a new one! Pfff...
I'll never buy ASUS netbook/laptop again