Stan Beer
Monday, 17 March 2008 04:24
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
Question: Asus makes an innovative cheap little Linux computer that takes the world by storm but decides to fix what isn't broken and make it more expensive, why? The power of Microsoft of course! And so yet another attempt by a Linux purveyor to carve a niche in mainstream consumer computing looks set to fall to Windows. Or will it?
Since Asus announced that it would release a
Windows XP version of phenomenally popular Eee PC for the extra cost of
a Windows license, market pundits have been kissing the cheaper Xandros
Linux version goodbye. However, Asus is ambivalent about the issue.
According to a number of reports, Asus expects the Windows XP version
of its sub-1kg notebook with 512MB RAM, 4GB Flash and a 7inch screen,
to comprise more than 60% of sales of the device, leaving the Linux
version in its dust. However, the company insists that the Linux
version will still be sold. And why wouldn't it?
Ever since it came on the market in October 2007, the Linux version of
the Eee PC has sold hundreds of thousands of units worldwide. For users
who want a small lightweight computer that can surf the Web in Wi-Fi
hot spots, exchange Skype messages and emails using Gmail, do basic
office productivity functions using Open Office, the Linux Eee PC is
perfect.
Linux and FOSS were made for such a machine - lean, cheap, easy to use
and nothing more to spend. And certainly nothing extra to spend on
resource sucking anti-virus and anti-spyware packages.
So why has Asus decided to put out more expensive Windows XP versions of the Eee PC? Simple - people want them.
Earlier this year, a friend showed me his Eee PC recently purchased in
an electronics market in Thailand. It was running a version of Windows
XP that had been loaded by the store. In fact he says that's the reason
he bought it. He was browsing stores looking at Linux Eee PCs with mild
interest but as soon as he came across a unit that was running Windows,
he snapped it up. Why?
