linux netbooks

[geese]

Is it just me or is linux netbooks very difficult to find? I saw one on Dell's site, none from HP, no retailer seems to be selling anything from Acer, Asus or anybody else with linux on it.

What's going on?

[bigtomrodney]

I think Acer and Asus have pulled their Linux offerings for the meantime. Amazon still had some until last week anyway, old stock Aspire Ones.

I believe a few of the major manufacturers have expressed interest in shipping with Moblin when it has matured a little bit more.

[D-cat]

I think maybe some people are figuring out that the Microsoft tax is a myth... a computer preloaded with MS and crapware is cheaper than one with no OS at all, never mind Linux. The software vendors actually pay the hardware vendors to add their junk in the computer, hoping they'll make the money back and then some from registration fees. It makes up for the MS OS license (which only costs an OEM about $10 US) and then some, sometimes over $100 a computer.

It's difficult to sell a computer that's more expensive than another one with the same hardware specs, and with less commercial software and support to boot. The general consumer, even if they intend to run an alternate OS, will buy the cheaper system.