Which OS would you want in a Netbook?
CNET News Poll
A report surfaced on Monday claiming that the new Acer Aspire One Netbook featuring Android will start shipping in August. The price of the Netbook is still unknown.
The computer reportedly will have the Google mobile operating system installed but will be configured as a dual-boot system, also shipping with Microsoft's Windows XP.
In June, just a few days after Acer announced that an Android-based Netbook would hit store shelves, the company told Digitimes that deploying a dual-OS strategy was in its best interest.
"(Acer Chairman) Wang pointed out that the dual-OS strategy is much safer for Acer, since consumer acceptance of the Android platform is unclear for the time being," DigiTimes reported. "Acer will be able to promote Android as a value-added feature, similar to Asustek Computer's Express Gate, to account for any price premium."
It's an interesting decision. To hedge its bets, Acer has decided that consumers wouldn't want an Android-only Netbook. So if you're looking to buy one of these computers, you'll have two operating systems from which to choose. Which OS would you pick?
Android's promise
I'm a true believer that Android has some real promise on Netbooks. I've been extremely happy with the operating system. It might not be the
iPhone OS, but it's close.
Android's allure can be found in its apps. Although Windows XP enjoys compatibility with just about any desktop software package, there are great opportunities for extending the functionality of a Netbook with Android. From social-networking apps to games, the platform could provide a unique, compelling Netbook experience.
Acer Aspire One with Android installed.
(Credit: Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)Plus, Android is designed for touch-screen devices. So if Acer ever wanted to release a Netbook that sports a touch screen, there's little doubt that Android could be the more attractive operating system over anything Microsoft offers.
Android's problems
Admittedly, Android will face some serious issues as it makes its way to Netbooks. How will it interact with hardware such as printers and accessories? Since some of the software that end users employ is designed for
Mac OS X or Windows, chances are, those programs won't work with Android. It could prove to be an extremely frustrating computing experience. And it might turn some back to Windows.
Of course, Acer might be able to make Android compatible with most external hardware. But since it's based on Linux, incompatibility will be a problem, no matter what it tries.
Perhaps it does make some sense to bundle two operating systems with Acer Netbooks. Consumers can use Windows XP for those moments when they need to access software or hardware. They can use Android when they want to enjoy a basic computing experience, surf the Web, check e-mail, or play with neat applications.
Each operating system has its own unique benefit. But in a dual-boot system, only one can be used at once. So which would be your primary OS?
Let us know in the poll above and the comments below.
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Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has written about everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Don is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and posts at The Digital Home. He is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.
Arrest ikramerica--2008
He steals!
As for me, I want iPhone OS3.0/Cocoa Touch & all those 50,000 applications that are immediately available. Oh & lose that physical keyboard! (although a touch screen may be useful)
McD
Really? Because it's pretty obvious by what all the OEM's offer now that people WANT Windows (XP) on netbooks - simply because they're familiar with the OS, and they can run most of the programs they need to run w/out issue.
Sure Linux and the multiple flavors are available, but it's far from the majority. Offering both as dual-boot options seems like a good idea to me.
I ran XP on my netbook... Worked great. Upgraded to Windows 7 RC. Works great. Does everything I want it to do... basically a mini version of my main machine (a "real" Dell XPS laptop)
Cody
This poll is crazy to leave out Ubuntu or any other Linux distro, but then again it is a googles world these days and if google says they are going to make pens the world seem to stop and take notice and every other pen is now obsolete as per these people in the media who run with everything google says.
If you are going to do a poll do it right, they have the question "Uh, where's the Mac OS option?" dam, it "Uh, where's the LINUX OS option?"
Also, I never said anything one way or the other about the dual boot thing. My issue is Android is mentioned here, which has a Linux kernel, but doesn't have the rest of the infrastructure of what is commonly thought of as the Linux desktop. Windows is mentioned here, which makes sense, it has the majority of the market share. Mac is mentioned here, which makes no sense at all given the system requirements of that OS, and traditional desktop Linux, which still has a noticable if by no means dominant market share on netbooks, and started the netbook phenom is completely absent. Let's at least have the entire conversation.
In response to codynews: I wouldn't run windows because you need to purchase way WAY more hardware to run the system. Click on the link at the end of this post and it will say it all. I have always believed that I should need to purchase as little hardware as possible to do the work I need my computer to do. The software pushes hardware sales model is a scam of the highest order. I run linux because I can get the same amount of work done while paying for less machine. I'm sure windows did everything you needed it too, and I'm sure if you'd chopped the ram in half and dropped the processor 10-20% you would have felt the pain, while at those specs Ubuntu would have still been snappy. That wins for me, and I can't fathom why people are willing to continue to out for hardware they shouldn't need to get the same performance they are used to on slower machines.
http://www.flexense.com/resources/file_systems_performance_comparison.html
bbadadu,
What programs do you know that don't have a good Linux alternative, or don't run on WINE besides possibly iTunes?
And, yes, I know GNOME interface is copied, but is it really that hard to figure it out? It is very much like Apple's interface, which is very widely accepted as an alternative. I figured it out in about 30 seconds. Ubuntu Jaunty is an excellent step in the right direction, and if you can't figure it out, there is a great userbase who have asked ever question known to man, and if it isn't known to man, then ask it.
Why?
Mobile devices running Android are perfectly suited for mobile operators:
1. Android enables the support of cell phone calls, SMS/MMS, LBS, etc., from which mobile operators can generate revenue over and above basic data contracts.
2. Operators will already have Android smartphone experience & apps that can be utilized on other Android-based devices.
Hopefully, Android & ChromeOS will eventually merge, with a build or configuration option to toggle between an Android "desktop" and a ChromeOS "desktop". Until that time, I guess it will be up to the device vendors to decide which one makes more sense, for the type of device they are trying to build.
BUT.. in counter to what viknizer had said, I think Windows will actually turn out to be the most used OS in the near future. Right now, there's certainly no way that Windows on a netbook is feasable; it's too expensive and doesn't run on the low powered systems. But, with Windows 7's optimization, it can run on netbooks with no problems.
Combined with the announcements of Office 2010 being available for free and online (a la Google Docs) the low pricing available on some editions of 7 could make Windows the netbook champions.. I wrote about this in a bit more detail @ http://www.muchgeek.com/blog/2009/07/microsoft-office-2010-feature-preview-now-free-and-online/
Let me know your thoughts!
HUH? Too expensive? The OEM Netbook copies are a few bucks... and it DOES run on low powered systems. Maybe Vista chugs on your everyday netbook but XP runs fine -- Windows 7 even better.
I am excited about this. If it really takes off, I hope Googles has a desktop flavor.
I currently run 5 different flavors of Linux. SimplyMepis and Kubuntu are great. If Google could give me a lighter weight version than these 2 with all the codecs for movies, music, etc... then I would be happy.
Also in reference to your comments about Windows 7 optimizations and being able to run on netbooks. It's true from a software standpoint, but MS is trying to regain some of their lost revenue and is putting a price closer to $50 (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/06/12/win7_and_netbook_pricing/) on even the low end of Windows 7 for netbooks. I've seen XP quotes as low as $18. Right now Linux netbooks have a slim enough price advanatage that it's not helping them that much, but an extra 30 bucks mean 10% on the price of the machine. That starts to make the linux version, that will still run better on less machine (see link on other post and the end of this post) start to look awfully affordable. I don't think it's going to retake it's earlier netbook market share crown and tromp the competition, but we might start to see some gains again.
http://www.flexense.com/resources/file_systems_performance_comparison.html
I'm amazed how well RC1 runs on my MSI Wind U100 as well as my 5 year old Pentium-M based laptop so I'll stick with that. I would like to be able to use something like Ubuntu more but since my wife isn't tech savvy & everything else I use is Windows-based, there is no reason to really use it as the main household OS.
And, yes, I know my grammar was quite atrocious.
So, the main applications needed are a browser and an email client.
Pretty much every OS on the market handles that, so besides personal preferences, the only distinguishing thing would be how fast the system boots, and protection against viruses and the like.
Since Windows without a firewall and extra virus protection should never be online, Mac OS X and Linux are right now the only two viable options for a netbook. Maybe Microsoft gets their act together with Win7, but I won't hold my breath.
Maybe you should actually try Windows 7 before commenting on it. Otherwise, please continue holding your breath until you pass out.
So, on a machine with limited processing power you want me to run additional programs like a firewall program? And why in the world should I buy another program like an anti-virus program? And included anti-virus programs are usually crippled.
Further, sales numbers are obviously skewed, with known things like Microsoft applying more or less subtle pressure to drop Linux (see, e.g., Asus' flip-flopping with respect to Chrome.)
And finally, your last paragraph shows that you are nothing more than yet another fanboy. I actually have used Win7, and came to my conclusions after using it. How much is MS paying you for your clueless trolling?
1. It's easy to use (in most situations it means it has UI)
2. It allows me to do what I need to do whether it's surfing the internet or email or document editing.
3. It's secure
4. it's expandable via USB ports and docking station
Where did you get that Mac OS X has a Linux kernel???
You must live in an alternate Universe. Mac OS X has a BSD Unix kernel, NOT a Linux kernel.
And Linux is fine without a firewall. Or do you think the cheap routers that are everywhere (Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, etc.) have a firewall to protect themselves? These routers are all running Linux.
Further, please show me a virus for Linux... On Unix-like systems, people are usually never logged in as root, unlike on Windows, which barely runs if not logged in as Administrator. On Unix-like systems, viruses etc. therefore can not take over the whole machine.
you're SOL then. Apple only puts Apple OS's on Apple products.
Igor Vishnevskiy
Founder of an <a href="http://www.wayby..com">Online Airfare Booking Agency</a>
Not trying to be a fanboy, honest, just probing your comment.
Even booting from a USB stick, which Windows can't do at this point.
Try the Ubuntu-based Easy Peasy: http://www.geteasypeasy.com/
@JoeF2 its not the installation but the everyday use thats not "idiot proof" yet and yes i'm using all three of them ubuntu, kubuntu and win xp almost every day.
I suggest you try Easy Peasy. You'd be surprised. It is more "idiot-proof" than Windows.
Troll much?
You're lack of intelligent posts is not surprising
All the hardware and external devices are already working with Linux out of the box.
Why would I want to wait for a crippled Windows 7 for a netbook when I can get a full OS like Linux now?
The full blown release of Windows 7 runs just fine on a netbook already...there is no need to have to use a "crippled" version.
My thoughts exactly! (pardon the pun) Honestly, though, Ubuntu is a great option, but it is only an option. The problem is that many people see it as techie. I set up Linux with absolutely no knowledge of command line other than how to open it. I did not come across command line until I tried to hook up to a network computer on a Windows PC, which took forever because WINDOWS FIREWALL decided that nothing but another Windows PC should get to the printer. IDIOCY! Where was the option to turn it off? Buried a couple menus down. Urg! Frustration! I thought it was a Linux problem until I found one helpful person that had diagnosed the same problem for another user on their help boards.
Except that MS isn't selling the full-blown Windows 7 for netbooks. Nice that you can install it, but then you'd most likely violate the license.
=========================
Do you have any clue what you're talking about? Windows 7 is also designed for touch-screen devices. And can run Chrome (or any other browser) so you still get all your 'web apps'
Cody
also theyre severly underpowered machines with cramped keyboards
lot easier to replace a netbook than a macbook
Geez, how stupid can MS fanboys be?
- by cast76 July 14, 2009 1:03 PM PDT
- Windows all the way. One thing I gotta say about Android, no games no good.
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- by pithenumber July 15, 2009 6:48 AM PDT
- you play games on your netbook?
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- by Inconnux July 15, 2009 11:18 AM PDT
- games are a major sticking point for a lot of people. Netbooks will often run older games. One major reason why more people haven't switched to Macs is because of the substandard collection of games available.
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