ASUS Linux insult will be Intel and Dell's gain

David M Williams
Wednesday, 27 May 2009 15:22

Opinion and Analysis

More surprisingly, he went on to say “People bought the original seven- and eight-inch Eee PCs for a computer to give to the kids.”

“If you want the full functionality of a notebook you are going to go with Windows.”

To hear anyone in the industry seriously make such a claim is literally astounding. Kerr’s comment is tantamount to proclaiming that anyone who is a power user would actually prefer, nay need, to use Windows.

Ironically, Linux was once perceived as an arcane and impenetrable system for experts. While Canonical and other distribution makers have been working hard to rectify this viewpoint I seriously doubt anyone would have expected Linux to ever be considered as so simple that it’s the operating system a child would use!

Kerr clearly doesn’t keep up with the news and has not read my experiences of Microsoft Windows 7RC and Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.04 on the one-and-same entry-level netbook where Ubuntu performed so smoothly that I pretty much forgot I was using the cheapest computer I could find.

Happily, other vendors are not being so short-sighted. One of the most significant hardware manufacturers in the world – Intel – has weighed in behind Moblin, a light optimised Linux platform for mobile devices like netbooks. Moblin joins Ubuntu Netbook Remix as a compelling, modern and zippy operating system platform. There is no need to subject yourself to the aging Windows XP or the woeful Windows 7 netbook edition (which, in an affront to netbook users is labelled “Starter edition”.)

Meanwhile, Dell has recently re-emphasised their commitment to Ubuntu with new desktop and laptop models shipping with Ubuntu 8.04 (8.04 being the most recent “long term support” release of Ubuntu, but users can upgrade to the current 9.04 if they choose.)

Right on the other end of the spectrum from netbooks old Big Blue themself proclaim that there are over 15,000 IBM Linux engagements around the world powering some of the biggest businesses.

ASUS has made a decision to abandon Linux and what’s more, ASUS has made its feelings known on just how its marketers perceive this alternate operating system.

Fortunately other vendors are picking up the slack and ASUS’ step backwards is to their gain.