Filed under: Linux, Open Source
Moblin netbooks are coming - can Linux based netbooks find a market?
by Paul O'Brien Sep 22nd 2009 at 7:00PM
When netbooks first started hitting the market, they were low on raw power, storage and profit margins, meaning that they were ideal candidates for running the Linux OS.
Asus, who arguably kicked off the whole netbook market with their Eee PC machines, originally shipped their devices with a variant of Xandros Linux and robust SSD drives. As the market matured, Asus moved to match their competitors by concurrently offering a more traditional Windows XP / hard drive option, and only recently ceased to offer the Linux configuration.
Despite the fact that Windows XP devices dominate the market, it seems Intel's 'Moblin' initiative could bring the Linux movement back to the massive Netbook marketplace.
Speaking at the first Linuxcon Conference in Portland, Oregon this week, Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation, said "You're going to see this week interesting new netbooks coming out that are killer. They have the cool factor and they're priced right". Jim believes that the Netbook segment is moving towards providing a free device on a wireless service contract, with a model similar to that used in the mobile phone industry today. His (questionable) assertion is that this drives down costs and encourages a low cost model that only Linux can work with, as it removes the Operating System licensing cost - something Microsoft simply aren't able to do.
While Moblin does appear - even in it's current Beta state - to be an accomplished mobile Linux distribution, it remains to be seen whether the mass market is ready for Linux on their netbooks. As a frequent Linux user myself I can see the many benefits of having a Linux based portable device, however a large proportion of the population is used to using Windows and will want their purchase to replicate their 'regular' computer using experience - isn't this the reason netbook manufacturers were so keen to move towards Windows XP in the first place?
I look forward to seeing what comes out of IDF this week, where it is anticipated that both Acer and Dell (previously strong proponents of the Ubuntu distribution) are expected to announce the first shipping devices based on Moblin.
Is there a market for such devices?
[via PCworld]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stefan Drakulich said 8:25PM on 9-22-2009
I'd say yes, they could! Jolicloud is great, and I've been using it for a month or so now. I really like it on my netbook. Other than that, I think the more variations, the merrier. Better competition I say. I think some time to evolve will be great for it.
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j35t3r said 9:52PM on 9-22-2009
"Jim believes that the Netbook segment is moving towards providing a free device on a wireless service contract, with a model similar to that used in the mobile phone industry today."
I couldnt agree more. If you think about it, most smartphones that are coming out now are considerably more expensive than EEEpcs, which you can find in the sub-$200 price range now. I could see myself paying monthly for a 3G-ready netbook that I could keep when my contract is up. Hell, I practically do that already with my G1.
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John Doe.. said 12:07AM on 9-23-2009
You'll probably see an uptick on Linux netbooks when Google releases their OS next year.
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Matt said 6:17AM on 9-23-2009
People wanting netbooks to replace their desktop computers is the whole problem! Remember all those reports about customers unhappy with their netbooks? Apparently the average buyer doesn't get the concept of the netbook, and thinks he's getting a regular laptop, just smaller and cheaper. That's why they all want WinXP on their computers, even though a specialized system would be better - they're trying to make a laptop out of it.
Moblin netbooks would be great, if people knew what to do with them.
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tim collins said 7:41AM on 9-23-2009
Considering that a little company called Asus had a decent number of Linux based netbooks out there and they sold like hotcakes... well enough to establish the entire market for "Netbooks"... I would say that, Yes - there is a market for Linux Netbooks.
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Jamus said 9:46AM on 9-23-2009
If Intel will commit to spending some ad dollars on it, I think it could be a hit... Until it dies on the vine after pressure on Intel from Redmond. Not what I would want to see happen mind you, but it could.
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alfielee said 3:54AM on 9-27-2009
Muckrakingsoft will definitely be watching & if there seems to be any large push going on they will intervene. If Moblin runs at an even lower spec than that used by Asus originally & Win7 doesn't run on it well there is a chance for Linux here. The other thought on this is that because Linux is in the mobile phone now in several different versions it will be more acceptable & users who are savvy won't want M$ inpinging on their desktop.
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whiskey said 12:01PM on 9-28-2009
Errr... The nokia n900 seems to have a market, right?
And if we weren't so easily persuaded in our perceptions as to who does what and where (the U.S. market is not representative of the global market, Microsoft choked manufacturers into submission, Linux netbooks are not only less expensive they don't come with the dumb Windows XP limitations, return rates were not as per MS said, etc) there would be a better notion of which niche is claiming them whenever one of this devices gets out.
If the American public would please get it's act together already sales would soar :D
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