Where's Vista?

I've stated before on this blog that I think Netbooks will be very popular. The 25 best selling laptop computers at Amazon.com bears out this prediction. But, perhaps the most shocking thing about the list is how few computers have Windows Vista installed.

The top 10 consist of seven Netbooks running Windows XP, one Netbook running Linux and two MacBooks. No Vista.

As of 11 a.m. PT Thursday, here's the list of operating systems on the most popular laptop computers sold at Amazon.com.

1. Windows XP Home Edition
2. Windows XP Home Edition
3. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
4. Windows XP Home Edition
5. Windows XP Home Edition
6. Windows XP Home Edition
7. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
8. Windows XP Home Edition
9. Windows XP Home Edition
10. SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10
11. Windows Vista Home Premium
12. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
13. Windows Vista Home Basic
14. Linux
15. Windows XP Home Edition
16. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
17. Windows XP Home Edition
18. Linux
19. Windows XP Home Edition
20. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
21. Windows XP Home Edition
22. Linux
23. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
24. Windows XP Home Edition
25. Windows XP Home Edition

Operating System Totals
Windows XP: 13
Mac OS X: 6
Linux: 4
Windows Vista: 2

Form Factor Totals
Netbook: 18
Full size Laptop: 7 (includes 6 Macs)

See a summary of all my Defensive Computing postings.

[rapier1]

So what exactly is your point. I hate columns like this. You have some interesting information but you don't actually draw any interest conclusions from it.

[mhinnewyork]

If you see sales figures for Windows Vista from Microsoft, be skeptical. They have an incentive to make Vista appear to be selling well. Amazon's list has no such incentive. Michael Horowitz

[mynameiscoffey]

Let me help you out since you seem to be having difficulty with this list (as of 2008-11-06 17:50 Pacific):

Macs: 7
Netbooks: 17
Full Featured Laptops: 1

Where's Vista? Its on the non-netbook, non-apple systems of course!!

In other news - Ferrari didn't make the top 25 best selling cars, must be because they are so terrible!!

[mhinnewyork]

Vista is not a Ferrari. There are cheap laptops that run Vista. The HP 2133-KX868AT Netbook, which is on the list, sells for $399 at Amazon and runs Vista Home Basic.
Michael Horowitz

[awilliams1701]

Home basic does't count as vista in my book. Its halfway in between XP and vista with bad results. Ironically any reason for basic to exist is fixed on windows 7. I've ran it on a computer with 512mb ram and it runs fairly well even with aero installed.

[Mark_Anderson]

What a great list! Now why don't we see what Dell's top 10 best selling computer list looks like! Or HP's!

I mean, seriously, Amazon? ***?

[crusadex]

Hm,Amazon doesn't exactly sell the newest and fastest machines.People go there looking for deals.
I think a fairer estimate would take into account all major sellers not just a single discount seller.
Sure if you want last years model a an ok price.
Spin baby spin.

I just bought 2 new toshiba's both had vista.

http://www.notebookreview.com/best_laptops/default.asp?display=topseller
Is probably a better indicator of NEW vista laptop sales.

Someone a little pissy at MS????

[obvio-capitao]

I found this post very interesting because it raises several questions.

Linux is in 4 of 25 most popular laptops (16%), or 4 of 18 netbooks (22%). That's an impressive feat for an operating system that is in less than 1% of the computers.

Linux+Apple now represent 40% of the top-25 sellers. How long it will take to Apple+Linux take 60% away from Microsoft?

[obvio-capitao]

> http://www.notebookreview.com/best_laptops/default.asp?display=topseller
> Is probably a better indicator of NEW vista laptop sales.

That's another interesting list, and seems to confirm the point made in the blog. Let's see:

#1 (Dell Inspiron Mini 9) comes with Windows XP or Linux. (According to Dell, 30% of their computers ship with Linux.)

#2 (Lenovo Ideapad S10e) comes with Windows XP too.

#3 (Acer Aspire ONE) comes with Windows XP or Linux.

All these computers cost less than $300.

Then we start to see some Vista computers:

#4 (Lenovo ThinkPad T400) - comes with Vista! -- costs $999.

#5 (HP 2133 Mini-Note PC) - comes with Vista! -- costs $779.


That makes me wonder if Microsoft shoot itself on the foot, in the latest "I'm not cool enough to be a Mac person" ad.

If Microsoft positions itself as a cheap brand, they'll be comndened to sell XP in sub-$300 laptops and netbooks.