Non-Microsoft OSes Helped by Economic Conditions?

Non-Microsoft OSes Helped by Economic Conditions?

ABI Research reports that a downturning economy may be advantageous for inexpensive netbook computers. In 2008, 75% of netbooks ran Microsoft Windows XP, but ABI Research predicts that in 2012, netbooks running Linux-based and mobile operating systems will outnumber those running Microsoft operating systems. Netbook producers are increasingly turning to alternative operating systems such as Linux and Android to create lower-priced devices.

Full Story (DigiTimes.com)

 

If it's anytime for Linux to gain marketshare, it's now.

But it can't just gain it. It has to keep it. It needs to be user friendly, and have impressive features so that when people get enough money to buy a higher end computer, they will think, "Hmm... Yknow I think I'm gonna miss Linux." And then they'll find out that *GASP* they can install it on any computer, and then they'll be hooked on Linux forever, and in 2 months work solely with the terminal. Well maybe not that dramatic, but you get the point. Linux needs to convince users of its superiority, meaning that it can't give headaches, and instead, must give wows.

Some distros are there, some aren't.

 

But then you've got MSI claiming that their netbook returns are 4x higher for Linux than for XP so it just can't be any version of Linux thrown onto the netbook...the manufacturer is going to have to spend some extra funds into customizing the OS or buyers aren't going to want to use it.

 

They keep making this prediction again and again and again. No matter how many times they want to make it, I still only want a Windows (or OS X) netbook. I'm fine with Linux for specialized uses (Kindle, Tivo, etc.) but for myself it isn't going to cut it for a desktop general purpose computer, and that's from someone who's nuts about technology and runs quite a bit of open source software compared to the average person-normal people would only get it because they don't even understand that it's not Windows, and then be angry when they can't run what they want.