Warning this article may well incorporate thoughts from the author that you simply and iTWire don't concur with.
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By Stan Beer
Monday, 09 March 2009 08:09
Impression and Evaluation
The release in the really nice Asus Eee Computer 1000HE signals a turning stage from the sub-notebook industry and it is one that Linux desktop advocates will not like. It seems like the ten inch netbook has hit the sweet spot for consumers and that sweet spot incorporates Windows although not Linux.
As many have noticed, Asus has delivered the 1000HE only with Windows XP and there's no Linux model up to now.
The Asustek PR representative in Australia has told iTWire that there is no phrase from Asus when or if a Linux model of 1000HE will likely be delivered. I have not checked with Acer with what it intends to perform but I reckon it's a good wager that a Linux 10-inch netbook from that organization is about likely as rain from the Sahara tomorrow.
In his outstanding current report UnderNetbook: A tale of two markets iTWire author and reviewer Stephen Withers pointed out that "netbook" is a somewhat nebulous term.
A netbook 18 months ago was 1 of those original Eee Computer 701 boxes that were little more than oversized mobile phone that couldn't make calls but could surf the net while travelling,
Microsoft Office Standard 2010, could make skype calls and do some basic computing tasks. The 7 inch screen, tiny keyboard,
Windows 7 Starter, limited storage and lack of computing power made them a very limited device.
In fact,
Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2010, the original Eee Personal computer concept - Easy to Work,
Microsoft Office 2007 Ultimate, Easy to Learn, Easy to Play - seemed to be targeted at kids. However, because the early devices were only available on Linux they became a favourite from the Linux geeks who lauded the fact that at previous the Linux desktop had arrived.
Then - shock, horror - Asus started shipping Windows XP versions of its new breakthrough product. The rate at which its netbook marketplace multiplied when the Windows versions started shipping no doubt caused Asus,
Windows 7 X64, Acer and others to realise on which side the bread was buttered.
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