Not good enough!

[jimnd]

Hi,
I just bought your magazine for the first time, as I wanted to check what the current choices of netbooks were. Your magazine has summary pages showing the size of screen, which is fair enough, but it doesn't give the resolution which is more important. It also ignores the Linux versions completely, where a manufacturer produces a MicroSoft and Linux model, instead of showing that there is an alternative OS, and the specification differences. Very often you get better hardware or a lower price on the Linux version, at least with the Asus eeePC it works that way. In fact you had an eeePC special in the magazine which didn't show any Linux models!

I'm specifically looking at Linux webbooks, and they're getting harder to find. Not because they have a higher return rate (that rumour about Carphone Warehouse was pretty well a spin job), but because magazines like yours are not giving them any publicity, so Joe Public doesn't see any comparisons, and not knowing what they can do will fall back on the familiar. XP's time is running out according to Microsoft, so everyone will have to move on soon. You have a duty to show all alternatives.

Many on-line forums have mentioned suspicions that Microsoft has swung its marketing teams and commercial weight into stamping out Linux on netbooks, and it's easy to see why the suspicion has grown!

I'll browse the magazine in W.H. Smith's next time, but I won't buy it again unless the information improves.

[meaker]

Ah but I think windows 7 starter now with some of the limits removed will be ideal.

[qwerty123]

Windows 7 will definately give microsoft more life in the Netbook world, as it's so much more efficient than Vista. slim-laptops.co.uk look like they're still growing, but provide price comparisons on just Laptops, Netbooks, and Notebooks. They're a good place to check out best prices, and basic features.