Ultralight notebooks may be cool but they still run Windows

HP 2230 small but runs Windows

(Credit: Hewlett-Packard)

I'm a big fan of tiny computers and I continue to follow the world of these "laptot" machines that pack a decent hardware punch into a very small form factor. The problem? They pretty much all run Windows. Some vendors have Linux options but I can't figure out why you would want to deal with the weight of Windows on a machine geared toward more casual use.

Wouldn't it make a lot more sense for the hardware guys to eschew Windows for these machines and move to some Linux distro? Today's multivendor announcement of Microsoft-free desktops is a great start toward this ideal.

I have the Asus Eee PC and despite some battery issues that were eventually resolved with a firmware update, it's great. I use it at home watching TV and can even let my 1-year-old play with it since Linux doesn't get completely hosed as Windows would. And the interface is so easy to navigate you don't have worry about icons, registries etc. $400 well spent.

At this point, 95 percent of all business users should be able to survive with just browser-based applications. Laptot machines give you everything you need running Linux.

For work I use a MacBook Air, which has a fantastic form factor but poor battery life. However, it's still a better choice simply because of the user experience.

As the target customer for pretty much every piece of technology I find it disappointing that hardware vendors aren't thinking this through more.

[rdwalton]

Gee, what a surprise article coming from a Mac fanboy. Why don't you just write this crap on the mac world site. If you don't like Windows, fine, stick with your apple and linux.

[M C]

Yeah! Pox on Dave for liking other OSes! He obviously had something go wrong at birth for that mental defect that causes him to find Linux or MacOS superior to Windows when we all know that is plainly not the case!! May hellfire rain down on him!! Sux0r!!!1!

[Skeleetor]

moron! this is Cnet not WinWorld! lol. in case you haven't noticed..how could you not? winvista sux

[chesterdrawers]

I had a computer business for 10 years (www.cbt1.com) that supported over 100 small businesses. Every business ran a particular type of software that required Windows. Sadly, my friend, I don't think you know what you're talking about.

[polax81]

Just curious - what software did your company primarily use? You do realise that Microsoft does have its office suite on Mac right? So i am curious about this "particular type of software" that you are talking about.... Can you expand on that to make things clear?

[exmsft]

Alright - I have to ask, WHY on earth would anyone think Linux on a mainstream laptop is a good idea? We're still nowhere near the year of "linux on the desktop" and Linux is still horribly unusable... Putting it in the hands of typical consumers? Yeah - that's a bad idea.

[polax81]

:) Ok, if you are referring to Power Management, I do agree that there is ground to be covered. But if you are using your laptop for documentation, presentation and internet apps. (the category of most mobile users), then I don't see why we choose Linux. Actually any proprietary OS which is light weight would actually solve this issue. Insisting on Microsoft, is like insisting on MS on all your embedded gadgets ... Midori is a realisation of something that MS has realised. If Linux can stabilize before that comes to fruition - there is hope for Linux, or else it is going to Midori all the way

[chesterdrawers]

Response to Polax81:
Churches may run Shelby - law offices may run Timeslips - medical practices and dental practices run various applications (e.g. Patterson) - mortgage companies may run Point - restaurants run various applications - engineering firms may run CAD - virtually every business - auto parts resellers, fuel suppliers, chemical companies, etc. - run some type of software that runs on Windows (or DOS) and for the most part do not have an Apple counterpart and in no instance did I ever see a small business capable of running its operation on Linux. Hope that explanation answers your question.

[joshsc]

Say what you want to about Windows- the fact remains that people still want and need it. Especially with these small net books like the Eee where the average customer doesn't know or understand what Linix is and can't figure out how to use it. The product gets returned time and time again.
I'm absolutely sick and tired of the Windows bashing. So you got your Eee. And you got Linix on it which is what people have been wanting the choice to do. You got your choice, now Stop whining and leave everyone alone.

[Skeleetor]

i guess you will be surprised when all Dells go linix later this year or early next year!..lol

[man_w_balls]

Dave is right - ultralight laptops with tiny processors and stuff probably would be lightyears faster running a small OS than the bloated Vista (since XP was discontinued for new PCs).

In RE: "no small business runs Linux" comment - See Factory Connection, a retail clothing store chain in place throughout the Southeast. They are 100% Linux, on their point of sale machines and servers. They are surely not the only ones around with the impetus to install a free OS on all their hardware, saving thousands of bucks and passing the savings on to customers.
Linux is used by many college students, at least half of the ones I know personally, and a lot of the others use OS X too. Some of my friends, disappointed with their new PC's Vista experience, have been looking into OSx86 for relief.

The fact is, M$ sux.

[chesterdrawers]

I checked out factory-connection.com; they have 215 stores in 11 states. My guess is that there is a large amount of tech support from corporate. I guess it depends on your definition of "small business"; my clients had anywhere fro 25-100 computers in mostly a single location. Small businesses with a single IT person or those who farm out support would have a very difficult time implementing and supporting Linux. I built a number of systems with various flavors of Linux and played around with Samba. I was never able to find a way to market Linux in any form to my clients. Maybe one day... Cheers!

[regulator1956]

I appluad FC for doing what they did. Are you stating that all the executives and accounting folks are 100% Linux? What applications?

[klebel]

OK I had to open an account here simply because this "article" was so ridiculous. The fact that this person thinks that 90% of business users can just use a browser was the nail in the coffin of idiocy. You my friend need to stick to playing with your 1 year old as you have no business supporting any sort of real IT organization. I am not a huge MSFT fan but I understand the business requirements for having to use it. Unfortunate but still true. Please...crawl back in your hole and CNET please stop posting this rubbish. Otherwise I am sure plenty of people will stop taking you any more serious than Perez Hilton.

[Skeleetor]

you can do almost anything in a browser, especially in a business situation...the only rubbish i see is in these comments

[Skeleetor]

Wow, just wow.
To all those who think "typical users" couldn't handle linix; to all who say the year of the desktop linix is not yet here...it already passed. Ubuntu is perfectly fine, FFserver is great, both are free. linix based networks are excellent, and work fabulously in many many businesses around the world. I must say that not all peripherals are available for Ubuntu or Backtrax or any of the many other linix OS's, but hey drop a note in a forum and the community will help write it for you.

So to all these so called business owners who say their local business's wouldn't want or use something other then windows - Maybe you are not doing your job that great, get some more research in! P.C OS's are still developing!
In conclusion: Wake up!

[dehall622]

with a 1-year-old isnt the bigger problem that the hardware will be destroyed rather than getting viruses or spyware?

[alleytrash]

Is anyone else sick of this Windows v Mac v Linux hate war? Can we please just get over it? At least let's see some facts. Linux is more bloated than Windows these days. The times of it being a compact O/S are gone. You can engineer both Windows and Linux to fit a small footprint if you want to. With disk space and memory so cheap, who wants to? Who wants an O/S with just a browser? I don;t see what is so superior about OS/X either. Parts of OS/X look like Windows 3.1 to me (System prefeences), othe parts ae great. Vista has some great features too. I have all three here. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. I can crash them all.

[jherdt]

Geez Dave - do you think they run Windows because the target market for these laptops are executives or business travelers that use windows in their work environment and need that same environment on the road? I "find it disappointing you don't think through your articles" more. What 95% of business users want to "survive" with work arounds?

[daverosenberg]

My point (which seems to have been missed) is that there is an opportunity being missed by the hardware vendors. They stick with one OS and force it on users. There are literally thousands of computers available to buyers and 90%+ run Windows.

If the OS remains the master, how does the hardware get interesting again?

[jeo4long]

Dave, unfortunately, without the right software, the hardware becomes useless.

These hardwares and any other UMPCs are create to fill the gap between full function computers and Phone/PDA. So these devices have to be able to do stuff that PDA can't do which is business applications. If all you need is an Internet browser, I recommend you just buy an iPhone and you are done. If you want to do some basic office applications, there are tons of smartphones (both Symbian and Windows Mobile platform) that can do all that. So these UMPCs and lite notebook has to go beyond those devices to be useful.

One of the good example is Nokia Internet Tablet. It runs Linux, very good size and pretty good on doing most of the Internet stuff. But unfortunately, with Linux, there is still lack of Enterprise solution around it. No Exchange Server support, it does not even have any sync software that allow you to bring your contact and calendar (which are 2 items that are the most important things in business world).

I agree with somebody's comment earlier. Unfortunately at this moment (it may change in the near future), being able to connect to the Internet with browser alone is not yet sufficient. So Linux people, please start creating softwares that can cross platform with other world (not just trying to create your own software). Embrace other platform Enterprise standard (Exchange, SyncML, etc)! Then you can talk about having fancy hardwares around your platform.