Erik Funkenbusch wrote:
On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:02:59 +0000, Roy Schestowitz wrote:
Was it not your prediction (among others') that mobile
computing like this would cannibalise sales of so-called
'desktops'? According to the shillnalysts, that's already
happening. There's no Vista in this space and the expiring
version of Windows is almost given away now... still, almost
half the units are sold with GNU/Linux, including
specially-customed ones like the software/layer from H-P.
Funny how you seem to have missed Asus's claim that XP
outsells Linux on netbooks 7:3. That's not even close to
"almost half", but it's nice that you admit that Windows
outsells Linux on netbooks.
http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20081031PD209.html
"Currently, netbooks with a hard drive are the mainstream
specification accounting for 70% of total shipments, while
SSDs account for the other 30%. The ratio of Eee PCs preloaded
Windows XP and Linux stands at 7:3"
Interesting how the numbers are changing. Before, many of our
trolls here were spouting that Linux only has 0.6% of the market
share. Now the argument has changed to 30% of ASUS netbooks in
US are acclaimed now to have Linux. Vista has been the best
thing that Microsoft has done to boost Linux sales. People want
Linux, as illustrated in this article:
http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/10/26/australians-demand-linux-netbooks/
Australians Demand Linux Netbooks
Oct. 26th, 2008 by The VAR Guy
[quote]
The VAR Guy, as you may have heard, left the states to visit
Australia this week. While wandering around Melbourne on October
26, The VAR Guy stumbled into Geek Central. The 13-year-old
company has three upscale retail locations in the area, servicing
consumers while also offering on-site IT support to small businesses.
Geek Central’s store had numerous Netbooks — those low-cost
sub-notebooks — on display. Fact is, Netbooks are everywhere in
Melbourne, with most local retailers carrying Asus’s Eee PC.
Now for the twist: Initially, Geek Central only carried Windows
XP-based Netbooks. But customer demand for Linux-based Netbooks
was overwhelming, according to Mike — a Geek Central mate who
gave The VAR Guy the scoop.
Within weeks of adding Linux Netbooks to Geek Central’s product
portfolio, the results were startling. Roughly one-third of the
Netbook sales involved Linux rather than Windows, according to
The VAR Guy’s local source.
[/quote]
Australians want the Linux netbooks and they are selling like
hotcakes.
http://ostatic.com/173640-blog/linux-netbook-returns-not-surprising-but-likely-avoidable
In US, the netbooks are not being carried by larger retails out
of fear that they will cut into profitable laptop sales. The
user buys on-line and does not have a chance to hands on try it out:
[quote]
jkOnTheRun reasons that this isn't terribly surprising.
Considering the low price of Linux netbooks, and their rarity at
larger retailers that might allow new users to "kick the tires,"
it seems that many new users leap, then look. [...] He also
stated that many big box retailers are hesitant to stock netbooks
in stores, because they might cut into sales of higher priced
notebooks.
[/quote]
The Linux sales potential is there. MSI previously not available
in US with Linux loaded is now being planned:
[quote]
There are a few things to note, before continuing. MSI's Wind is
not available with Linux as a pre-installed operating system in
the United States -- yet. A Linux option is planned -- or maybe
the correct phrase would be "has been in the works for a very
long time." It was announced previously that the Wind would run a
modified version of Novell's SUSE Linux, but Tung has indicated
that this is not set in stone.
[/quote]
Sales in retails stores, where a user can check one out before
buying would help overcome the stigma, that Linux is not Windows:
[quote]
More netbooks -- Linux, or otherwise -- in "standard" retail
outlets could reduce the return rate, if only because buyers
could see, feel, and try out, even just briefly, the hardware and
the software. The product is tangible, the software is right
there, and the abstract idea of "Linux" is given a solid form.
[/quote]
Oddly enough, I have not seen netbooks, albeit either Linux or XP
selling in Wall-mart.
--
HPT
Quando omni flunkus moritati
(If all else fails, play dead)
- "Red" Green
|
|
