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Linux On Netbooks — a Complicated Story
An anonymous reader writes "Keir Thomas has responded to the recent raft of news stories pointing out that Linux's share of the netbook market isn't as rosy as it used to be. Thomas thinks the problem boils down to a combination of unfamiliar software and unfamiliar hardware, which can 'push users over the edge.' This accounts for the allegedly high return rates of Linux netbooks. In contrast, although far from superior, Windows provides a more familiar environment, making the hardware issues (irritatingly small keyboard, screen etc.) seem less insurmountable; users are less likely to walk away. 'Once again Microsoft's monopoly means Windows is swallowing up another market.'"
Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9, anyone?
Sorry, this isn't a car analogy, but the next best thing.
Statistically speaking, Windows is like being straight. I would be generous if I called MacOS gay, since only 3% or so claim to be homosexual. However, God only knows what to do with Linux. Maybe it is for hermaphrodites or something, at any rate, it's numbers seem to be lower than the incidence of homosexuality...
Not that there is anything wrong with any of those things. I'm just sayin...
Remember, I did say "car analogy"!
This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
You stupid fucks blew it.
(note: ALL of my computers are Apple Computers - even the one running Linux)
It pains me that apple just let this market segment slide out of reach. They could have KICKED ASS.
Right now I am typing on my iBook G4. IT FUCKING WORKS. and it runs OS X, and all is well, except: it's a powerPC. So it's a legacy machine. Eventually developers will no longer support this machine. C'est la vie.
But: this is an awesome little box, and had Apple made a 12 inch or less MacBook running on a celeron or Atom, they'd be printing MONEY.
Why? Because Everyone Would Want One.
A colleague and recent convert at work said "My in-laws need a computer - this MacBook Pro rocks - it's easy. It's what they need..."
People Need Simple computers that Do Simple Things.
But Apple dropped the ball with their eyes on the high margin. Good move, ace. Now MS has moved in and with the exception of the eeePC, has totally and completely insanely dominated that entire market. Fuckwits.
I think it's really not too late. If Apple came up with a netbook in June, (kind of like a cheapy laptop version of the MacMini) and with a good adver campaign, they could easily blow Linux out of the water, and come to parity with MS.
but they won't.
RS
Shoes for Industry. Shoes for the Dead.
You can install MacOSX on a million Macs without digging out a license key - OSX desktop doesn't require a key. You can't install it legally that way though, or install it on a million PCs! :-)