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March 13th, 2008

Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 10:49 am

Categories: Linux, Microsoft, News

Tags: ASUS, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, UNIX, Microsoft Windows XP, Open Source, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Newsflash from ASUS - the company is predicting that the XP Home version of the Eee PC will outsell the Linux-based version by 3 to 2. 

Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux versionTwo versions of the XP Home based Eee will be sold - the Eee PC Surf XP which has 4GB of NAND flash storage and 512MB RAM and is priced at $408, and the Eee PC 4G XP which incorporates a 4GB SD card, a better battery and a built-in 3-megapixel camera for $473.  Compare this to the Xandros-based Eee PC which comes with 2GB of of flash storage and is priced at $261.

ASUS expects to ship in the region of 5 million Eee units this year, but the fact that the company expects 3 million of these to be XP-based must come as a poke in the eye to all the Linux enthusiasts who saw the Eee as bringing Linux to the masses.

Once again this proves just how desirable Windows is for consumers, even at the cheap end of the spectrum.  Even when faced with a situation where a Linux distro provides adequate functionality and next to zero cost, having Windows installed, even when this adds a fair chunk of change to the price, is still seen as a selling point. 

Linux might be “dead president friendly” but the lure of Windows is hard to resist.  Partly this is down to the fact that consumers haven’t been “educated” about Linux and so they are more likely to look for Windows, but it also comes down to the fact that there’s a larger profit margin in more expensive devices.  Adding Windows is a good way to puff out the price and scrape a little more profit.

Thoughts?

Adrian Kingsley-HughesAdrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations

Want to get in touch? Got a tip? Feel free to drop me a note! I ALWAYS respect anonymity. I'm also on Twitter (@the_pc_doc)

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 240 Talkback(s)
Time for an official "I was wrong" retraction Adrian
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/07/14/asus_linux_eee_901_famine/

"the Linux Eees are the better selling models" - ASUS

So much the Linux is doomed rhetoric eh.... (Read the rest)
Posted by: Sysadm1n Posted on: 08/07/08 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
...  Linux User 147560 | 03/13/08
I knew you'd be along...  CreepinJesus | 03/14/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 03/14/08
We need "Learnux"  ozzie_tech | 03/16/08
AMEN!...  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
Wonder where "foam boy" (frothy) is...as well...  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
It will be the same 5-8 people  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
You Forgot #4  TheGooch1 | 03/14/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 03/14/08
The ones who put down Linux. prolly never used it...  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 03/14/08
lol  Badgered | 03/14/08
Got a problem with that?  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 03/18/08
Which means he prolly never used it... LOL  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 03/18/08
Linux preferred  rMatey | 03/14/08
Hey, My Wife Isn't THAT Tech Savvy, and SHE's using the EEE PC  drprod@... | 03/15/08
Bush Nazi..HA! laugh  JCitizen | 03/17/08
Some people put down Windows and Linux users  Boot_Agnostic | 03/15/08
prolly never used it  billfranke@... | 03/18/08
Well ya know Bill...  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 03/19/08
Easy for Them  pfroehle@... | 03/15/08
5. Windows is prettier. And a lot more Dirty !  hkommedal | 03/15/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 03/13/08
Advertising?  garry_k@... | 03/14/08
re: Advertising?  M.R. Kennedy | 03/14/08
The lack of a huge collection of virus, Could help.  hkommedal | 03/15/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 03/13/08
We agree...  Anton Philidor | 03/13/08
Have you ever  Shelendrea | 03/13/08
You have a point.  Anton Philidor | 03/14/08
...  I_Byte | 03/14/08
Every generalization is false.  Anton Philidor | 03/14/08
Which is why...  TtfnJohn | 03/14/08
answer: the author  Mitch 74 | 03/14/08
Tech Support  JimSatterfieldW | 03/14/08
Hello Shelendrea  windozefreak | 03/14/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 03/13/08
Linux has sellers.  Anton Philidor | 03/14/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 03/14/08
The Plain Truth  TheGooch1 | 03/14/08
P.S. MS prefer "users". They do NOT like the  hkommedal | 03/14/08
You used the C-word in connection with MS !  hkommedal | 03/15/08
Allways based on the assumption  GuidingLight | 03/14/08
Again...they (the faithful) don't get it...  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
3 to 2. Sounds like a Linux win.  bjbrock | 03/13/08
Yes, 200 to 1 would match the overall market. (NT)  Anton Philidor | 03/13/08
90% Market Share - 9 to 1 Ratio  MisterMiester | 03/14/08
My laptop is outselling the EeePC  wackoae | 03/13/08
My laptop is outselling the EeePC 100 to 1.  hkommedal | 03/15/08
No kidding they want windows  croberts | 03/13/08
Ubuntu?  b.bob | 03/13/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 03/13/08
See...  CreepinJesus | 03/14/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 03/14/08
Malfunction  M.R. Kennedy | 03/14/08
Dude your too funny - LOL ... nt  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
s/crying/laughing/g  hulse_kevin | 03/16/08
Ubuntu Screen  morph000 | 03/14/08
re: Ubuntu Screen  M.R. Kennedy | 03/14/08
I agree - had hardship with Ubuntu but  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
Why did you fist put Ubuntu on it ?  hkommedal | 03/15/08
Terrible conclusion!  techboy_z | 03/13/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  Loverock Davidson | 03/13/08
8.0 - - - You forgot to mention . . .  Basic Logic | 03/13/08
Why would I mention that?  Loverock Davidson | 03/13/08
You mean even Microsoft won't have you?  IT_User | 03/13/08
Bwah-ha-ha  transposeIT | 03/14/08
Re: You're IQ level keeps falling down.  hkommedal | 03/15/08
We knew that . . .  JLHenry | 03/14/08
Ouch...  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
Re: We knew that . . . Please do NOT insult  hkommedal | 03/15/08
"share files and documents"  b.bob | 03/13/08
And have others open them  Loverock Davidson | 03/13/08
Now we can . . .  JLHenry | 03/14/08
He (Lovey) HAS intelligence, but he does not  hkommedal | 03/15/08
I know if you had any IT skills...  bjbrock | 03/14/08
Microsoft o akbar ! (nt)  hkommedal | 03/15/08
I think somone else has to do their research  DSollick | 03/16/08
He does research  fr0thy@... | 03/13/08
RE: He does research.  hkommedal | 03/15/08
When you can get it to work?  windozefreak | 03/14/08
Linux does require IT skills and understanding...  bjbrock | 03/14/08
Not always  DSollick | 03/16/08
Linux ~ Windows  hulse_kevin | 03/16/08
Is that you Mike Cox?  D. T. Schmitz | 03/13/08
You tell me Linus... (NT)  Loverock Davidson | 03/13/08
Finding the responses strange kiddo?  fr0thy@... | 03/13/08
Microsoft o akbar ! Jihad, jihad ! (nt)  hkommedal | 03/15/08
How dare you . . .  JLHenry | 03/14/08
Re: How dare you . . .  hkommedal | 03/15/08
Lovey Lovey Lovey  Shelendrea | 03/13/08
Shelly Shelly Shelly  Loverock Davidson | 03/13/08
Why are you so scared of Linux?  fr0thy@... | 03/13/08
I've noticed who doesn't want Windows to go...  devlin_X | 03/13/08
Much like the Unix and Linux admins  GuidingLight | 03/14/08
I'd imagine thats true to a point though  devlin_X | 03/15/08
It is against his religion ! (nt)  hkommedal | 03/14/08
Is that you, Mike?  Solid Water | 03/13/08
It's what 60% of users wanted.  bjbrock | 03/14/08
Message has been deleted.  itanalyst2@... | 03/13/08
You forgot Rush . . .  JLHenry | 03/14/08
Conservative as I am - that's not much  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
Yeah . . . .  JLHenry | 03/14/08
Those Idiots  windozefreak | 03/14/08
LOL - Now that's funny!  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
9.0  fr0thy@... | 03/13/08
Poor Linux fanboys...  transposeIT | 03/14/08
No Time for Love Dr. Jones  nucrash | 03/14/08
I give you credit  Loverock Davidson | 03/14/08
Actually . . .  JLHenry | 03/14/08
Good point; but...  JCitizen | 03/16/08
So, let me get this straight  odubtaig | 03/14/08
World Domination not required...  hulse_kevin | 03/16/08
Yikes!  jbenfield@... | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  co-eddy | 03/13/08
Always easier and cheaper to build a desktop  DevGuy_z | 03/13/08
Come on.....  pjotr123 | 03/13/08
8.0 - - - You forgot to mention . . .  Basic Logic | 03/13/08
OOPS - Above should be under Loverock's post ...  Basic Logic | 03/13/08
3-to-2 vs. the usual 95-to-2 . . . Sounds like Linux is looking up ???  Basic Logic | 03/13/08
I agree  srobtjones@... | 03/13/08
Good Point...  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
Re: I agree. You forgot the markets that  hkommedal | 03/14/08
maybe, maybe not $408 is a lot of money  stevey_d | 03/13/08
Surely this isn't a surprise to anyone.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 03/13/08
But Linux desktop PC share doubled last year.  Anton Philidor | 03/13/08
And if it keeps doubling  tombalablomba | 03/13/08
Enough of this pipe dream...  transposeIT | 03/14/08
Not a surprise at all  Michael Kelly | 03/13/08
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you ....  fr0thy@... | 03/13/08
Couldn't resist - Looks like you two have someting in common  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
I am sorry, but....  nucrash | 03/14/08
It's a surprise to many...  odubtaig | 03/14/08
Poor Windows folks  storm14k | 03/14/08
What About Losing 60% of your market share  windozefreak | 03/14/08
Maybe that would hurt MS  storm14k | 03/14/08
Not really  TtfnJohn | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  bryantrv | 03/13/08
They tried Vista  fr0thy@... | 03/13/08
So if I'm correct  tombalablomba | 03/13/08
Higher spec lappy to outsell lower speced one  FreewheelinFrank | 03/13/08
BIG SURPRISE  greenherby | 03/13/08
Ok..let me get this straight  kcredden2 | 03/13/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  super_J | 03/13/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  Zdnet_lies | 03/13/08
OS obsessives  tonymcs@... | 03/13/08
Scared of learning beyond press releases tonymcs  fr0thy@... | 03/13/08
re: Scared of learning beyond press releases  deaf_e_kate | 03/14/08
OS obsessives  artwest | 03/14/08
Don't worry - he/they will not get it ...  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
What office oriented applications will it have on it?  roaming | 03/13/08
didn't you read any of their own e-mails?  devlin_X | 03/13/08
"for Microsoft it's not about the money"  fr0thy@... | 03/13/08
Learn of which you speak else look stupid.....  devlin_X | 03/13/08
Let him try to install Windows of ANY sort onto  hkommedal | 03/14/08
Adrian's tunnel vision stikes again  Sysadm1n | 03/13/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  Solid Water | 03/13/08
Windows Folks Don't Run Tests  windozefreak | 03/14/08
And thats the reason..  storm14k | 03/14/08
What's with all this "to"?  Ole Man | 03/13/08
Objection, facts not in evidence.  TripleII | 03/13/08
Beat the naysayers to the punch.  TripleII | 03/13/08
See, regular users do like Linux  super_J | 03/14/08
Speaking of the Cloudbook . . .  JLHenry | 03/14/08
XP = OK, Vista != Ok  hgh9mrp@... | 03/13/08
I concurr  b.bob | 03/14/08
Asus may be wrong  trentreviso | 03/13/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  whooliebacon | 03/13/08
What do you do with MS skills in a Linux world?  Sysadm1n | 03/13/08
What would you do with Linux skills in the real world?  transposeIT | 03/14/08
Sell them to employers  putt1ck | 03/14/08
Some of theese skills comes in very handy.  hkommedal | 03/14/08
Some of these skills comes in very handy....  Sysadm1n | 03/17/08
Perfect time for Asus to learn from gOS PCs  plino | 03/14/08
GREAT IDEA!  b.bob | 03/14/08
DINO TALK  mswift@... | 03/14/08
40 percent of the sales is a blow to Linux?  Letophoro | 03/14/08
Market Share  b.bob | 03/14/08
???  mckenzl | 03/14/08
Market Share Part II  hulse_kevin | 03/16/08
I love Linux but this doesnt surprise me  NamelessFor Now | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  TonyDTolleson | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  SeanGee | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  I_Byte | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  jbenfield@... | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  1djk1 | 03/14/08
Re: How about comparing apples to apples?  hkommedal | 03/14/08
come on, people...  catseverywhere@... | 03/14/08
LOL - Nope!  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
Linux does enough on the EeePC to keep?  tony@... | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  KLS 12.5 | 03/14/08
Apparently people have more money than brains...  JCitizen | 03/14/08
Kewl for Linux  llval@... | 03/14/08
forgive me, sugarpop 0:)  llval@... | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  drjoewebb@... | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  PJDDTS | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  AnonymousBugMeNotUser | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  Homealone | 03/14/08
crap,crap,crap  Homealone | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  esalazar@... | 03/14/08
That??s why people call it "Ziff-Gates"  berlindsucks | 03/14/08
You obviously don't read these very much...nt  socialism=nowhere | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  pnfreer@... | 03/14/08
The facts don't support your conclusion.  TripleII | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  super_J | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  rarsa | 03/14/08
A reply to you Windows only folks...  Linux User 147560 | 03/14/08
What about those Linux only folks  Boot_Agnostic | 03/15/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  LonnieRM | 03/14/08
Only problem with article is: Linux ain't that easy...  Narg | 03/14/08
Eh, . . what sells sells  Boot_Agnostic | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  rbeier1116 | 03/14/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  atari8bit@... | 03/14/08
60% for Windows, 40 % for Linux  MisterMiester | 03/14/08
Don't get excited - this is only an estimate  The Mad Hatter | 03/14/08
What about the June 30 XP expiration date?  MisterMiester | 03/14/08
RE: What about the June 30 XP expiration date?  hkommedal | 03/15/08
Not important ...  MisterMiester | 03/16/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  mmullers@... | 03/15/08
Now for 40% of HP, Dell, Lenovo . . . .  Boot_Agnostic | 03/15/08
LINUX STINKS!  FSBRules | 03/15/08
Really now?  DSollick | 03/16/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  casemill@... | 03/15/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux.  hkommedal | 03/15/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  as901 | 03/16/08
if you believe the marketing hype . . .  wessonjoe | 03/16/08
This looks like a win for Linux  rweiler@... | 03/16/08
Yes  Altotus | 03/17/08
Where is "Learnux"?  ozzie_tech | 03/16/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  ThinkFair | 03/17/08
That is probably the only way anyone...  JCitizen | 03/17/08
Why would you want to pay for a OS  softwareFlunky | 03/17/08
Headline  Altotus | 03/17/08
Microsoft has to butt in as usual  John Musbach | 03/17/08
Ye Government  Ole Man | 03/20/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  jensonchew@... | 03/20/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  jensonchew@... | 03/20/08
Why does this surprise anyone  marks055@... | 03/28/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  skris88@... | 04/08/08
RE: Windows-based Eee PC to outsell Linux version - Another blow for Linux  wrueth | 05/13/08
Time for an official "I was wrong" retraction Adrian  Sysadm1n | 08/07/08

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