5 Reasons to Get Excited about Linux on the Netbook
Late last year, we boldly proclaimed that your next computer might be a Linux PC. Thanks to the ever-growing market for the low-end machines dubbed "netbooks," this seemed like a real possibility at the time. But then, MSI's U.S. sales director Andy Tung had to come along and burst our bubble saying that the Linux machines were seeing a higher return rate than their Windows counterparts. For a while, that seemed it would be the end of hope for this next big "Linux for consumers" push. Or it was at least until this month, when Todd Finch, Dell senior product marketing manager, made a very different claim. He noted that return rates for Linux machines were about the same as those for Windows. Is this a second chance for the Linux netbook? Perhaps.
All that being said, you don't have to buy a netbook with Linux pre-installed to enjoy what this "alternative" OS has to offer. There are several versions out there which you can try today, no purchase required. And there are even more soon-to-launch distros which really get us excited.
1. Jolicloud
The netbook OS getting the most buzz today is one that doesn't scream "I'm a Linux distro!" Instead, Jolicloud's internet OS provides easy access to all your favorite applications whether those are online apps like Gmail and Facebook or desktop apps like Skype and Boxee. A bar at the top tracks all the applications you're currently running for easy switching between them. However, the most unique element to this netbook OS is the social component which lets you "subscribe" to other Jolicloud users so you can see what applications they've installed and vice versa. Jolicloud is still in private alpha, but those who signed up to try it are starting to receive their invites now. You can request one too from the Jolicloud home page.
2. gOS's Cloud 1.0
Most people remember gOS as the distro that tried and failed to make it big by way of a deal with Walmart. The company was the pre-installed OS for the low-end Everex machines sold at the American superstore. But that failure shouldn't count gOS out of the running just yet. For one thing, the Everex machines were boring, cheap desktop computers sold without monitors. Plus, the Walmart shoppers...well...let's just say they probably didn't know what they were getting into. While the original gOS is still available for download today, we're more intrigued by the company's upcoming Cloud 1.0, an OS optimized for notebooks. This new version boots straight to a web browser (one that looks just like Google Chrome, in fact). Cloud is supposed to go into private beta this year. You can sign up here to be one of the first to try it.
3. Moblin 2.0
Moblin 2.0 is a netbook OS which is publicly available right now. Designed for Intel Atom-based netbooks, this Linux distro focuses on aggregating your social networking activity and media content. A dynamic start page called the "Myzone" is the centralized area where you can get instant access to files, tasks, your calendar, updates from your social networks, and more. Unfortunately though, when it comes to social networks, only Twitter and Last.fm are supported at this time. If you're not sure if Moblin is right for you, there's a "test drive" available as a downloadable live image. Once you're ready to install it for good, you can grab the full download.
4. Ubuntu Netbook Remix
The Ubuntu Netbook Remix is a netbook-friendly version of one of the most popular Linux distros, Ubuntu. This OS features a customizable Ubuntu Mobile Edition (UME) Launcher which basically serves to replace the desktop for easy access to applications and system settings. Categories on the left display related icons when clicked and a "Favorites" category lets you store your most frequently used applications for quick launching. Remix also offers a unique window switcher which lets you move between programs similar to how you switch between tabs in your web browser. This version of Linux is available for download now from here.
5. Google Chrome OS?
We can't help but put Google Chrome OS on this list. Although the OS isn't actually a product yet, only an announcement, we're incredibly excited to see what Google comes up with for their first real launch into the OS market (Android notwithstanding). All we really know about this Linux distro is that Google aims to build a real "cloud OS" where web applications run in the company's Chrome web browser. We also know that their goals include a fast boot time to get you on the web quickly and an OS which is safe from malware and viruses. But what we don't know about Chrome OS could fill a room. According to Google, this OS will make its debut in the second half of 2010. We're not sure if we can stand the wait.
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These OSes are kicky looking and the type of thing that will get people in the stores buying again.
Ubuntu is great. Just installed it on a PC for my daughter. Great price as well:)
I used Moblin 2.0 today on my PC.. It's quite good guys..
I think Google has the right idea, with Chrome OS: make it light, fast & easy to use, with ZERO maintenance.
That being said, I use Ubuntu as my primary OS and I really like it. Perhaps a dual-boot ChromeOS/Ubuntu configuration will be my ultimate setup.
These screens are waay to busy!
I prefer my KDE 4.3 desktop; nothing occupies the screen that I don't want there. [Alt][F2] allows me to launch apps much faster than moving the mouse to get to the correct catergory and then icon, as these above examples seem to require.
GOOGLE! i´m still waiting for your operating system!
Mike
www.superbot.ws
The curious thing is that MSI picked SUSE Linux; Dell uses Ubuntu (which is the most popular distro; e.g. see http://www.google.com/trends?q=Fedora%2C+Debian%2C+Ubuntu%2C+SUSE+|+openSUSE&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all&sort=2 )
And Dell sells almost a *THIRD* of their netbooks with Ubuntu: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/170186/dell_looks_to_linux_to_expand_netbook_presence.html
My wife got me an Acer Aspire one with their custom Linux on it... and the UI and bundled software sucked :) But at least I knew about Ubuntu (and Ubuntu Netbook Remix; which is what I run on it now).
Another point to ponder; before netbooks, Microsoft had managed to all but kill off Windows XP... none of the big OEMs were shipping it despite the demand for it; add to that the fact that netbooks are so cheap compared to notebooks and you have a basic supply and demand issue that will guarantee strong "Windows" sales on them; note that almost no netbooks ship with Vista.
What will be interesting to me will be to see how Linux competes against Windows 7 on netbooks (e.g. note http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/01/22/shuttleworth_windows_7/).
Chrome OS is just vaporware at this point, which does nothing to sell stock already in stores :)
@lefty.crupps: be that as it may (and I agree!), it makes more sense to use the GUIs they have selected. Typical end-users don't learn or use shortcut keys for much of anything. To make this usable for someone walking into a store and buying it, the GUI is the only way to fly.
Just as people love those big icons on an iPhone, they'll feel at home with purpose- or category-specific large icons on a Netbook.
But yeah, it sure can get cluttered that way. ;-)
Linux is the future!!! And we should get excited because it rocks!! I only use Ubuntu but all variations are way better than anything Microsoft or apple has to offer..
Great article! I have a friend that has one of these, and he is interested in Ubuntu. I am sending him this link. As for me, I am trying to snag a netbook cheap (like around $100 or less?..) then of course I will definetly be puting some form of linux on it!
*yawn*
Yet another "Get excited about Linux... Please?" article.
lol
SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! Linux, pimple nose boys, are always talking about "What a perfect operating system Linux is" "Linux is the future" "Windows and Apple suck, Linux is great" Whenever I can plug ANYTHING into Linux and have it install and work, I'll give it a chance. I don't want to load a couple of workarounds to get a USB ethernet card to work and "Well this won't work with your printer" So just shut up until this OS works, Which after 16 years still doesn't.
Windows is installed in 85% of netbooks
Windows on it!!
Is the best!!
Mac or a Netbook? Students chose the latter in a recent study. Read more and see the Retrevo survey, which says Apple loses back-to-school laptop shoppers to netbook & PC. http://pfx.me/Gq
For personal use, Linux is great. But, I'm a business IT consultant (17 years), and I can't recommend a solution to my clients that doesn't have a solid, definable method of support. (and not just the promise or likelyhood that someone, somewhere, will fix it at some point in the future... jesus.)
I can't find a OSS solution for 80-90% of my clientele and their respective industries. (construction, manufacturing, aggregate, specialty medical, etc) At least, not one that won't require a full time programmer to constantly tweak the applications and functionality to their needs.
I don't have that problem with Windows. Everybody supports it, and with a reasonable amount of maintenance, it just works. Sorry, penguins.
True Jess. The long running joke of the Linux desktop viability may end though once a brand like Google starts putting out a product. Notice how they never tout it as Linux? People are intrigues by Android phones, regular people even but those same customers would never pick up a Linux phone.
Does a rose by any name smell so sweet?
Can't wait to try Google's OS. I have a HTC G1(powered by Andriod) and I love it. Cheers.
>People are intrigues by Android phones, regular people even but those same customers would never pick up a Linux phone.
Most cellular phones run a linux kernel.
Lesson learned: Linux is good for machines that require little maintenance, such as computers that only act as dumb terminals to the web?
I use Linux, Mac and Windows. I enjoy the level of anal attention to detail I can get in Linux, but don't enjoy how some manufacturers only release binary drivers for their hardware. It's hell to get some of my hardware working just how I want it. Mac? I have a few prized apps but beyond that if I could run them easily on Linux or Windows it'd be toast for the most part. Windows? Who doesn't like a good solid game? (Not just Solitaire, mind you!)
Replica breitling |
Replica tag heuer |
It’s far from ready yet, but you might want to check out the latest screenshot of Brevity, which is my own project.
The idea is to put a browser on top of a kernel, present the desktop as a zooming user interface and just make it really simple.
http://brevityos.blogspot.com/
One thing I absolutely LOVE about my Linux install (Ubuntu) - I can remove the hard drive, pop it into a completely different computer and fire it up. It adjusts to the new environment in seconds and I'm up and running without loading new drivers or the licensing hassle of a Windows/Mac install. Now THAT is a valuable thing.
USB tethering my cell phone to my laptop as a wireless broadband modem was a bit of a hassle with Windows. In Ubuntu, I just connected the phone, clicked a couple Ubuntu networking menu selections and was online. No extra drivers, software, or tweaks were needed. And it was faster than using it in XP. Vista couldn't (wouldn't) do it at all. After that, I was a believer.
Aside from some external hardware driver issues (cams & printers) which is improving constantly, Linux is the easiest OS to install (or reinstall) and maintain. And it gets easier and better every 6 months - for free.
The Debian EEE version is the way to go!
forgot the url
http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEeePC
I think the explaination is clear - originally all users bought linux versions, because they were cheaper/better spec'd. Now, they've realised they don't like the linux OS and are sticking to what they know (windows) - the linux veterans buy the linux version so are less likely to return it.
Jon Said:
"I think the explaination is clear - originally all users bought linux versions, because they were cheaper/better spec'd. Now, they've realised they don't like the linux OS and are sticking to what they know (windows)..."
Someone at work went into PC World to buy 3 netbooks for his kids for Christmas. He looked at the Linux Acer and was going to buy until the salesman came along and asked what he was going to use the machines for. The salesman pointed out that Microsoft Messenger did not run on Linux, and so as the kids used Messenger he needed to pay more for an XP machine (no mention of Pidgin). Then he went on to sell an anti-virus! I wonder if its not that the sellers who feel happier to push what they know, and represent Linux as "budget".
THAT is a valuable thing.
Most cellular phones run a linux kernel.
Actually, they don't.
SymbianOS is the runaway leader, followed by iPhone OS, Blackberry and Windows Mobile, Linux is a distant 5th.
But don't take my word for it, look up "Worldwide smart mobile device market, Canalys Q3 2008" (canalys.com) Or reference Wikipedia, either / or.
And about the Phone-like interfaces, that's exactly why these will fail. People like smartphone UIs on smartphones because they work well on a smartphone. A smartphone UI on a netbook? Take 10 seconds to think about why the concept has failure written all over it.
It's exactly why Android-powered netbooks haven't taken off. An OS designed to run on a smartphone just doesn't make sense on anything but a smartphone.
Just wanted to point out an error in the link for hooeey (www.hooeey.com). There seems to be an extra ' " ' in the address.
This is addressed to MeMine :
My wife has (had) HP dv9207. With VISTA (urggggh). It killed 2 HDDs in less than a year and I decided to put XP and Ubuntu on it. Ubuntu installed in less than 2 hrs, with NO intervention. Everything worked out of the box (including the hot keys and the DVD burner).
With XP I did not have:
Network, display at 800X600, no USB.
I had to download drivers through Ubuntu to get XP running. Ir took me 5-6 hrs to get minimally functional XP.
Enuf said; XP sucks.
While it's maybe nice my netbook has XP installed, I will still look for a Linux variant for the inevitable date MS pulls the plug and I either have to buy/install some other version of Windows that won't run as well, or run in a compromised mode.
All the above things are true and its very much exciting but we should not even forget that Linux has a very bad past.
People are still skeptical to switch over to linux. So I guess the manufacturers should take into account the use of different concepts so that the product does not fail eventually.
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