HP has announced that it is dropping Linux from its upcoming range of netbooks.
The news comes after the company confirmed it is to keep offering the Ubuntu desktop option to consumers in the US.
The new range of netbooks – the Vivienne Tam model – will now only be available with Windows XP, at a price of £450.
HP has announced, however, customers desperate to try out the Ubuntu Mobile Internet Edition desktop on their HP netbook will soon be able to download an installer from the company's website.
Responding to demand
TechRadar spoke to Paul Hudson, Editor of Linux Format magazine about HP's decision to drop Linux from the netbook range, and he said: "HP is clearly responding to customer demand, and I have no problem with that – it is a company, not a charity."
He then gave the following advice: "Listen up, Linux users: if you want Linux, get out your wallet and give HP demand it can't ignore. Otherwise, quit whining and buy an Aspire One from Acer instead."
The arrival of Windows 7 inside the next 12 months will add an even greater test to Linux – which benefited from Vista's high demands when netbooks became big business.
This prompted Microsoft to hold off from flipping the kill switch on XP, but even in beta Windows 7 has shown that it is much more suited for lower power PCs.
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haberland
February 10th 2009
1. Linutop strongly believe in giving users the maximum freedom of choice and flexibility. An open source, Linux-based operating system is the ideal platform that allows users to get most of their devices. Additionally, open source allows running systems more cost-effective because users do not have to pay for an operating systems and applications from the established vendors. We are convinced that open source operating systems will become even more popular amongst many professional and semi-professional users in the future.
Even in the area of consumer technology there is strong opportunity for open source. It will be very interesting to see how the market reacts on the Google mobile phone with its open source operating system and what effect this might have on the established systems like Symbian and Windows Mobile.
Businesses are under incredible pressure to become more flexible and reduce costs at the same time. This will drive demand for more developer friendly and cost efficient systems in the future – which is exactly what open source operating systems like Linux provide.
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