Acer tells Windows it's been seeing Linux, needs some space

Microsoft sits alone at the cafe as Acer walks out, peering into its empty coffee cup, thinking, "I don't need her anyway." What are we getting at? Acer VP of Marketing Gianpiero says the computer company is seeing a big future with Linux. He says the cost of Windows over Linux -- especially in its low-cost products like the Aspire One -- is the biggest reason, and offered this meta explanation: "We have shifted towards Linux because of Microsoft. Microsoft has a lot of power and it is going to be difficult, but we will be working hard to develop the Linux market." It's not you, Microsoft. It's Acer. Really.

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Jun 5th 2008 8:03AM]

wht a b*tch

[OneLove @ Jun 5th 2008 11:15AM]

that looks really nice. how does it stack up to the msi wind?

[Chuckles McGee @ Jun 5th 2008 7:11PM]

Acer can just go drown itself in all its crappy budget PCs, for all I care.

[Jarhead2012 @ Jun 5th 2008 8:02PM]

I agree. In all seriousness, "You deserve better than Acer, Microsoft!"

[MrO @ Jun 7th 2008 2:31PM]

The question is "do you know about Acer's non-budget crap?". Acer's business line of laptops is actuall well built and competitively prices for that market. It's true I would personally want an Aspire (laptop or desktop) as the majority are geared towards day to day consumers (home users) and not built to the same standards as their Extensa and Travelmate lines. First generation Aspire notebooks were built really well though until the diverged to separate product lines. So, before bashing Acer, pull your head out of your a$$ and get to know more about the company.

It's like buying a Dell notebook, if I was going to buy one I'd get a Latitude and not an Inspiron. Toshiba, it's all about the Tecra. Business grade people. You get what you pay for.

[Pfanne @ Jun 5th 2008 8:06AM]

mormowned?

[toxicpiano @ Jun 5th 2008 8:08AM]

wow what a subtle plug

[Matt @ Jun 5th 2008 8:09AM]

Slap to the face of the baddest bitch the computing world has ever since....

[initialxy @ Jun 5th 2008 8:10AM]

wooo ballmer is gonna be swearing and throwing chairs again.

[fourthletter @ Jun 5th 2008 8:09AM]

Yes finally, after years of sleeping with Bill who would stick around once big Steve started showing up in nothing but smile ?

[bohsocks @ Jun 5th 2008 8:38AM]

You're mistaking Steve Jobs for Tux?

[Hraefn @ Jun 5th 2008 8:42AM]

@bohsocks: You misread his comment. He meant who would continue sleeping with Microsoft once Bill Gates is switched with Steve Ballmer.

[FuzzyCat @ Jun 5th 2008 8:43AM]

Wel, both Tux and Jobs are fatboys...

Big jobs? Giant Jobbie?

[fourthletter @ Jun 5th 2008 8:12AM]

P.S so engadget have netbooks jumped the shark ? or does this story not really have that much to warrant a large picture of a netbook.
netbook netbook cheap ultra mobile netbook engadget UMPC netbook netbook netbook amen.

[Javaflash @ Jun 5th 2008 8:14AM]

The market shifted. Browser is going to be the new OS, not Linux or Windows.

[BollockChops @ Jun 5th 2008 8:41AM]

Hahahhahahahahha... No. you're wrong, so very wrong.

[Ryan Karolak @ Jun 5th 2008 9:04AM]

That'll work well when you're not connected to the internet.

[jupps @ Jun 5th 2008 9:49AM]

"The combination of Java and a Netscape browser would relegate the operating system to its original role as an unimportant collection of slightly buggy device drivers."

- Marc Andreseen, September 1995

[z0phi3l @ Jun 5th 2008 8:15AM]

Well I'm glad someone with clout AND guts is pushing Linux to the masses

[Dan @ Jun 5th 2008 8:27AM]

Sure...its only a matter of time they realize how crappy linux is and starts running back to windows begging for forgiveness.

They better at least have some windows xp/vista drivers for that thing at least. Do the damn eee thing.

[z0phi3l @ Jun 5th 2008 8:45AM]

We'll see, XP is going to die sooner or later and Vista/7 will always be too bloated for the subcompact market

[jorvay @ Jun 5th 2008 10:23AM]

@Dan
Linux isn't bad. Linux is just code. Half-assed Linux-based operating systems are bad. Luckily, there are smart netbook/cheaptop makers that are going with wise choices for distros (Ubuntu, Suse, etc).
The only issue you ever run into these days with a good linux distro is the occasional hardware support problem (blame hardware companies for not providing open tech specs or their own linux drivers)...but something tells me that if the hardware manufacturer is specing linux, they might take a few minutes to take care of that.
(for the record, i've had as many windows driver problems over the last four years as i have had linux driver problems, so it's a bit of BS argument in my eyes).

[sjdurfey @ Jun 5th 2008 1:59PM]

i second that. since recently switching to Linux full time, i havent had a single problem with device drivers in fedora9. In fact, my Sound Blaster Audigy 4 sounds WAAAAY better under linux (clearer, louder, and much deeper bass), with the default ALSA driver than it ever did with Creative Labs custom driver for windows (my subwoofer would only work if i used the bass boost feature and maxed it out). Thanks Pulse Audio!

Oh, also, Creative refused to update their XP drivers to work with my card in Vista, so i had to download and use the custom driver from a 3rd party source (wish i could remember the guys name) to stop the cracking and popping whenever i played music.

[Jaque-o @ Jun 5th 2008 8:16AM]

Wow, Acer is cheating on Windows with Linux?

I fantasized about this during so many lonely nights...

[Pfanne @ Jun 5th 2008 8:19AM]

somehow this makes me want to vomit ¬_¬

[aaronbareford @ Jun 5th 2008 8:31AM]

Interesting.

Let Linux have it's niche! Stable, secure and light mobile computing, everything windows is not :D

Hopefully ubuntu netbook remix can really take off in the new sub-notebook niche :)

[RC @ Jun 5th 2008 8:35AM]

And people believe Acer. Funny.

[maty @ Jun 5th 2008 8:36AM]

Not like Apple is a monopolizer either. Or overpriced.

[Vince @ Jun 5th 2008 12:50PM]

$99 for one license of Mac OS X as compared to how much for the entry level M$ crapware?

Sure the hardware is pricey, but it WORKS. PCs? Maybe...and Apple hardware holds its value probably three times as well as PC stuff does.

[maty @ Jun 5th 2008 8:39AM]

It can have its niche.

I for one, am not part of that niche. I want the biggest e-penis I can. Light, mobile computing is like castration for me.

[Pfanne @ Jun 5th 2008 8:47AM]

this way you can use your e-penis only in certain places to certain times...

[Laughing Man @ Jun 6th 2008 2:19AM]

Your comment about your e-penis and how it must be huge just proves how small your real penis is.

[Mike @ Jun 5th 2008 10:04AM]

Whats the market for the low cost/low specs notebooks like this? I just don't think its the same sort of people who will be ok with linux or want to learn.

[Big Wizz @ Jun 5th 2008 8:50AM]

Hey MicroSoft,

Welcome to Dumpsville.

Population: You.

[chadow @ Jun 5th 2008 8:57AM]

You have a StarTrek dude as your avatar, I think that cancels out any attempt for you to make fun of others.

[Starnerf @ Jun 5th 2008 9:05AM]

It's a Simpsons quote. That makes it cool.

[Ryan Karolak @ Jun 5th 2008 9:05AM]

Star Trek is cool.

/facepalm

[Oinquer @ Jun 5th 2008 9:21AM]

@chadow
Pawn'ED!

[chadow @ Jun 5th 2008 10:35AM]

The only thing cooler than StarTrek is Oinquer's pwnage of me with his unrivaled use of leetspeak.

[jon @ Jun 5th 2008 11:09AM]

@big wizz

you need a life that involves getting outside and meeting real people.... its actually quite fun and you won't need to be made fun of anymore if you do!

[Big Wizz @ Jun 5th 2008 12:02PM]

@jon,

*get a life, etc.*

sez the guy who replied to my comment.

Troll much?

[Al @ Jun 5th 2008 10:05AM]

well...I WAS going to be purchasing this with WinXP...forget that now...

[RichardBronosky @ Jun 5th 2008 1:29PM]

Well, base on your post you obviously already own a copy of XP. You could still by the machine and install your own XP, but I guess:
1. You are furious at loosing the opportunity to repurchase an OS you already own.
...Or, maybe...
2. You have never used a windows computer before but are passionate about this MSFT company that you hear so many good things about.
...Or, finally...
3. You may just be full of crap, and never intended to buy this device. You just enjoy being a troll.

I'm not going to cast judgment so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

[chefgon_ign @ Jun 5th 2008 9:24AM]

Next week's Engadget Headline:

Acer announces Windows XP version of Aspire One Netbook



Microsoft will swoop in and offer them a deal they can't refuse, and they will give in just like everybody else.

[Ignatius @ Jun 5th 2008 9:47AM]

Or the sales will be extremely subpar because people like familiarity and Linux is all but that. Personally, I won't look twice at it until it has XP on there.

And no, I'm not a Windows fanboy, I enjoy familiarity, I enjoy knowing how to control the operating system. I don't feel like relearning the computer because a company is having a shitfit over software.

[shrewd @ Jun 5th 2008 10:06AM]

@ignatius,

you sound like the species that doesn't adapt and dies off
the old man who can't or wont learn how to program his VCR
the conservative who can't handle change....



etc etc...

needless to say not everyone takes your view (thank god....)

[RichardBronosky @ Jun 5th 2008 12:58PM]

[quote=Ignatius]
And no, I'm not a Windows fanboy, I enjoy familiarity, I enjoy knowing how to control the operating system. I don't feel like relearning the computer because a company is having a ----fit over software.
[/quote]

In 1995 I was webmaster for an ISP (dialup) in my hometown. I used to be so familiar with windows 3.11/95/98/NT that coworkers would call me up and I could talk them through any issue including the tabs and buttons on dialog boxes without having to have a computer in front of me. When MSFT released their new OSes everything was "wizardy" and I had to learn to answer inaccurate questions to try to get a _machine_ to configure _itself_ with the settings that _I as a professional_ knew it needed. It was a disaster. The first time I saw a beta of OSX (the one with the Apple menu in the center) I was hooked. It encouraged me to learn more Unix/POSIX than the basics that I knew from using the Solaris servers. With 2 years I quadrupled my salary. Since then I have continued to build expert level Linux experience and I have reaped the benefits.

I was going to have to relearn windows anyway, so instead I chose to learn something that has literally changed my family tree. Without Linux (and OSX) I'd still be stuck in a coal mining town in the Appalachian Mountains. Today everybody with the will power to (a) apply themselves to learning, and (b) not get anybody pregnant, can live a great life. They can get a CD mailed to them for free from here https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

[Harlo @ Jun 5th 2008 9:28AM]

Ewww... Linux is Open Source... who know's how many people its been with!!

[Harlo @ Jun 5th 2008 9:30AM]

By the way.. if I could edit my comments I'd like to move my rogue apostrophe from knows to it's.

[Backwards People @ Jun 5th 2008 9:38AM]

This is not Hello Kitty's Island Adventure. As such there are no grammar police or spelling police.

You can relax.