http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 7:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Netbooks may hurt pc manufacturers with their small margins, but Microsoft is more than happy to sell more Windows licenses.]]>Apr 6th 2009 7:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
rant over]]>Apr 6th 2009 7:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 7:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Netbooks may hurt pc manufacturers with their small margins, but Microsoft is more than happy to sell more Windows licenses"

Explain to me how Linux blew it? Linux did everything right and quite frankly linux is a better os than windows (xp,vista, and maybe even 7 time will tell) the only reason Linux market share is going down is becasue consumers are stuck in there ways and do not want to experiment with other OSes. linux flavors does everything microsoft does and more such as better security and faster boot times.
One last thing Microsoft will NEVER HAVE 96% share in netbooks. there was a article in the nytimes today:
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/microsofts-netbook-conundrum/
that laid out why exactly. Microsoft is having a hard time selling PC manufactures on why they should pay $25 licensing fee for MS 7 on an netbook while they pay 75% on an laptop. also, many manufactures such as asus,dell among others want to keep linux around because they can customize it and make their product stand out from the rest of the pact. last reason why ms will never have this market share is that netbook manufactures are finding ARM chips appealing because of better power management and will start to embrace it. only linux makes they're os able to run on ARM chip sets MS currently doesn't offer an ARM edition of its os. these reasons and the fact HP is finding the android os (which runs the linux kernel) appealing for netbooks are reasons why ms will never have 96% and why linux is far from dead. ]]>Apr 6th 2009 8:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
Not all of us are jobless basement dwellers who want to use their PC's operating system as well as PROGRAM IT THEMSELVES. I am willing to spend extra money on a non-free OS if I don't have to tell the God damn thing how to work on my own time.]]>Apr 6th 2009 7:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/ obviously you've never used any linux flavors. I've been using ubuntu for about a year now and i'm very computer illiterate. i don't know how to program or anything like that. though i lack this knowledge i find using ubuntu linux WAY EASIER than using MS. ubuntu was easy to set up the only thing i had to do was put in the cd and fill out the questionnaire (my name what city i live in) and i was done. also many programs that people use a lot ex.AIM, Skype, firefox among are made to work on ubuntu and for the ones that don't theres a open source version. And for that 1 in a million program theres a program called WINE that runs MS program. maybe if you opened your mind to open source and linux you'll like it.Stop living in the past the linux of the 90's is not the linux of today. Now linux is made for average people who want to get work done and use the internet. ]]>Apr 6th 2009 8:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
I think it's more than a match for WinXP/7 on the netbook platform.]]>Apr 6th 2009 8:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
Sure, there's no reason I couldn't install the window managers I used to use, and make it work like I expect, but the out-of-the-box experience has changed from being something unique and cool, to a cheap ripoff of Windows that doesn't work as well.

Linux may not challenge Microsoft on the desktop, but the fact of the matter is that the increasing awareness of Microsoft alternatives is only making MS look bad by comparison. It's not until you get out of the abusive relationship that is Windows that you begin to realize how poor a product it really is.

Microsoft may have some gains in this specific market, but the fact is that their stagnant products and utter lack of innovation makes it a sinking ship. They'll have to seriously turn things around with Windows 7, if it's not already too late. The only other alternative I can see is to cut costs in order to keep profits up with slowly declining market share in an expanding market. Maybe computer adoption will continue to grow faster than their market share decline, giving them a net positive. This much was clear to me 5 years ago, though it was a controversial view. These days, nobody in the industry would bet on MS' continued dominance.]]>Apr 6th 2009 8:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
My parents will *never* be Linux users. We can debate on which OS is better, but they don't get it. They don't want to get it. They want to press the button that does the thingy that they expect. Hell they don't even get THAT right most of the time, but at least Windows tolerates their extra clicks and generally does what they want, when they want it. It's taken them decades to build up to this point.

Most Windows users are like my parents, and they NEED that familiarity. Most of us here on Engadget don't.]]>Apr 6th 2009 8:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
"Stop living in the past the linux of the 90's is not the linux of today."

The Linux of today is having its ass handed to it by the Windows of 10 years ago. The public has spoken. Linux sucks. A handful of nerdy power uses like it? Great. That doesn't make the rest of us close-minded.]]>Apr 6th 2009 8:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
Gah...]]>Apr 6th 2009 8:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 8:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/1. Those netbooks are all running XP, not Vista
2. The only way they managed to get there is by giving it away. The licensing prices for XP for OEMs was negligible. They actually brought it down to compete with Linux (you know, the free OS) on price. With the customer familiarity of Windows, the manufacturers couldn't really refuse. Representatives from various distros have been saying that they simply can't compete with Windows when it's free. That's what it took to beat linux in this market.

You'll see this when, despite the harsh economy driving netbook sales, Microsoft's revenue barely increases, or doesn't increase at all.

This isn't the end for Linux's consumer adoption hopes, though. Manufacturers like Windows for free, but once Microsoft refuses to license XP any more (sometime around 2099), they'll be back to the age old trouble of differentiating your product when nearly every other computer runs in the exact same way, and the additional expense of Windows licenses.

OEMs prefer to customise their machines to death under the illusion that you chose their machine out of brand loyalty rather than price. Also, since they can't grow their sales by differentiating their products significantly, they're going to try and increase revenue by squeezing every last dollar they can from that RRP.]]>Apr 6th 2009 8:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
On the upside, I installed Linux on my mom's computer and my sister's aging laptop.]]>Apr 6th 2009 8:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
The simple fact is that people know and like XP. The like it more than Vista, and they like it more than Linux. OS X is a little different. It requires that converts learn something new, but OS X does what 99% of the people need right out of the box with no screwing around, and they can get their MS Office, and other stuff.

I Love Linux. I use it on a regular basis. But after using every flavor of windows, some Linux desktops and OS X, OS X is my desktop of choice, followed very closely by XP. I use Linux solely as a server OS. ]]>Apr 6th 2009 9:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 9:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
My install experiments always ended with one or the other bit not working - either graphics card, or networking, usually, and then I had to troll some forums to find the text file I needed to edit in some way to enable my hardware. I once tried upgrading ubuntu and afterwards my networking was gone... again. Despite the fact that this laptop used some generic Intel chipset like millions of others. From my perspective hardware support is the achilles heel of Linux.

Compare that to me setting up OS X on a new Mac - getting to the point where it had all my settings, all my programs, all my preferences, all my login items, took 2 hours of unattended copying via the migration assistant. 2 hours from unboxing to a working workstation - that's how it should be.]]>Apr 6th 2009 10:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
Plus, there is zero reason to run Linux if you have any plans to game at all, unless you're setting up a dedicated server.]]>Apr 6th 2009 10:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
And if you couldn't get your graphics card up and running, you should give up computers all together. On most linux operating systems, you can search for restricted drivers provided by the graphics card company.]]>Apr 6th 2009 10:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 10:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
THAT is the EXACT attitude why Linux will NEVER be successful. Elite, if they can't use Linux they are too stupid attitudes. Here's a clue for you. Most people wouldn't have a clue how to find Ndiswrapper, really understand what a driver is, or even how to begin troubleshooting something like that.

People like you, when noobs ask for help, you make them feel like idiots. And they keep using Windows. Congratulations. You are part of the problem, not part of the solution.]]>Apr 6th 2009 11:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
We gave Linux to the masses, and the masses threw it right the fuck back.

The end!

Argue as to WHY until you are blue in the face, but it is an ugly, unintuitive disaster and nobody but the zealots want to bother with it.]]>Apr 6th 2009 11:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 7th 2009 4:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 7th 2009 6:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
Just goes to show that no-one really does care about Linux after all.

Still, look on the bright side - that 4% is still about double what you have on other consumer platforms.]]>Apr 7th 2009 7:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 7th 2009 10:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
Here's a link to help you out determining support on laptops (netbooks included)
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LaptopTestingTeam/ :)]]>Apr 7th 2009 10:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 7th 2009 11:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 7th 2009 11:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Hey good for you man. Yeah I just got a Mini 9 with Ubuntu as well and it's been great. This was my "can I hang with Linux" experiment as well, and so far it's been terrific. Machine boots fast, does everything I need it to do. Now I'm looking at maybe migrating my regular desktop over to Ubuntu as well, but will still probably keep windows apps available under WINE.
]]>Apr 7th 2009 1:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
@Randavance
Bravo.]]>Apr 7th 2009 4:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 7:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
Overall, a UNIX platform will outperform Windows on MID's. Once Apple embraces a little Linux, things may be doves and olive branches. If Windows 7 can go with the cellular platform definition of mobile, competition changes and 96% might still be relevant.

It will all come down to who has the bigger "Welcome to the Apps Store" banner.]]>Apr 7th 2009 9:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
linux may be great accomplishment, but it has it's flaws

1) there's no one to take responsibility : people who hate osx rantabout appl, and people who hate vista rant about microsoft, with no one entity backing it, there's just no one to blame if anything bad happens

2) not compatable - open office sucks, lets face it, and it has even less professional programs (cad, matlab) than a mac

]]>Apr 7th 2009 12:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
Your first reason is a vey, VERY poor excuse.]]>Apr 23rd 2009 12:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 7:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 7:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
If it is preferred more than current-day Linux distros, then yes.]]>Apr 6th 2009 7:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 7:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 7:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 7th 2009 7:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 7th 2009 12:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 7:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 8:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 9:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
Nice.]]>Apr 6th 2009 7:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
But then again, how can we bash Vista with that logic?]]>Apr 6th 2009 7:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/Apr 6th 2009 9:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/microsoft-boasts-that-96-of-netbooks-now-run-windows/
So when Windows 7 comes out, netbooks magically become designed to run the successor of Vista, is that your thinking?

Vista is crap, people, and your maniacal low ranking only demonstrates your ignorance.]]>Apr 7th 2009 5:29AM