Microsoft: 96% Of Netbooks Run Windows

Officials at Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) claim that the company in recent months has made stunning gains in the market for netbooks -- low-cost laptop computers that are optimized for simple tasks like surfing the Web and e-mailing.

[DJ]

"When they realize their Linux-based netbook PC doesn't deliver that same quality of experience, they get frustrated and take it back," said LeBlanc.

Using Vista-based complaints on their competitors? That's surprising.

[Ghoul]

giggle :D

ms is like a soap, i can almost hear the cheering studio crowed whenever anything comes from ms.

[XxZxX]

the 96% want to play games on the netbook. Have anybody tried Vista on Notebook? SLOW!!

[ChampIDC]

Yup, the only reason I have a netbook with Windows XP is so I can run games and other applications.

[Genesis5]

How can anybody cheer for a monopoly like that? Well except for MS.

[SL1M DADDY]

Running Linux is all I need it for.

[pansenbaer]

It feels good to be that 4 percent running Linux. :)

[Fishy Fingers]

I must be going against the grain. I'm using Linux. Much better for a netbook, performance wise.

I guess the reason most go for the Windows option is fear of the unknown. Shame.

[pansenbaer]

Makes perfect sense. Its more sad with netbooks because they make it as simple as can be. You try to install your own Linux distro, you might run into some problems. Besides, Tux Racing is better than anything in Windows games... :)

[Cenobia]

That is actually very true. I had been messing with Linux on my PS3 (and PC to an extent), but I feel like I need Windows as a safety net. I also want my computer to be able to run MS Office/Adobe Suite. Linux may be able to do that already, I don't know, but Open Office was all I heard about back when I was tooling around with it. I never really got around to trying it.

I would love to transfer to Linux, but it can get pretty complicated with all the different types, learning commands, adjusting, etc.

If I had a notebook I think I'd definitley run Linux (at least as the primary OS of a dual boot system).

[DJ]

Just last week Arstechnica posted an article stating Linux has 30% of the Netbook market. What they're probably doing is counting the number of licenses, not the number of Windows OS's in use, and then comparing that to total netbooks sold.

They did the same thing with Vista. Claimed hundreds of millions of people were using it, when in reality almost no one was.

[Sibs]

Yep, I bet they got something like 101% and then realized they should dial it down so it should make sense, while not doubting the numbers they actually got.

I bet they classify netbooks as cheap notebooks that run on windows.

[PS360WII]

hundreds of millions of people bought a computer with vista pre-installed on it and then put their own OS on it later... oh I meant stayed with vista...

[dragunrising]

I doubt the figures as well. I was just thinking where I had heard Linux had 30% market share in netbooks. Thanks for remembering the source.

I don't think anyone will ever know what the true stats are. I bought a netbook with Xandros (eee PC) and promptly installed Ubuntu eee. On the opposite side of the spectrum a friend of mine got the same netbook (eee pc 1000) and "had to" install Windows XP. I think it will be most interesting to see what impact Windows 7 will have on netbooks. My only concern is that currently Windows 7 prototype for netbooks only allows you to run 2 applications simultaneously. Its great that there are options however.

[KingJames1906]

Here's proof

"Microsoft reported net profit of $4.29 billion, a 23 percent rise compared with a year earlier."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007...

I can understanding hating the Evil Corp Microsoft, but (from your past comments) why do you LOVE Sony, they are just as evil, both are large mega corporations looking for guess what, PROFIT.

[divideby0]

and MS is not a monopoly because

[AuToFiRE]

Thanks for stating the obvious, Microsoft. Its not our faults we have to have that extra $200 tacked onto the computers we buy because of your crappy software

[BGDad]

STFU

[warfed]

96% of notebooks sold with windows. They probably count me in that 96% but my notebook only saw windows for 2 days, before I formatted it to install Linux.

[AuToFiRE]

what distro? i just switched from Ubuntu to Mint, im now just customizing it to my liking by installing a couple games, replacing the built in dvd ripper/creators with my own, changing the GUI around a bit and using the included installation creator, making my own LiveCD with my custom layout and programs and burning it to disc to share with my friends without breaking any laws like you would with windows

[ceesiebo]

If you go to a media-store or order with Dell, you always get Windows installed, whether you want it or not (I live in the Netherlands, so I don't have the option). I immediately put Ubuntu on my laptop. But I kept Vista on it, so I have dual-boot now. I only keep Vista for running a few games like Fallout 3 (and waiting for Dragons Age, Origins). I don't see that running on Ubuntu. But most games I play on my PS3 or PSP, so I hardly use Vista. But I don't like the fact that Windows is pushed down my throat while I don't want it (and MS registering 1 more user).

[warfed]

Started with kubuntu, have since moved to Arch Linux. It's a great KDE distro.

[singhjeet29]

... when Apple eventually enters this market ... can't wait to see where this 96% goes

[bob saget remix]

nope its around 30% for linux. So 96 is a little much.

[Baka-akaB]

Even if the figure was true , wich it isnt at all , one thing discarded is the sudden boom and success of linux based netbooks such a the Eee pc .

Just ask them how long it took the competition to eat those so called 4% market share ? 1-2 years tops .

[Death]

The first one came from ebay. It didn't have XP which made it even more useless as a pc. I returned it since it was supposed to have it per the item description and bought her the model with XP. Very cool little netbook. You can argue the open source Linux based netbook being better all you want, but it's not easier. That is where Windows wins every time. People are used to Windows and know how to get around in the OS more or less. Linux based netbooks are all packaged a little differently which dilutes an already diluted market.

As for the people complaining about Vista performance on a netbook, who actually makes one? Netbooks are designed to run with XP or Linux since they are less resource reliant OS's. Netbooks aren't Vista compatable. Windows 7 on the other hand will work on netbooks when it's released.

-Death