Why are we pinning Linux desktop hopes on netbooks?

Consumers already have a user experience in mind when using a device focused on personal computing tasks. That experience is largely Microsoft Windows-based.

| Print | 7 comments|

245 Recommendations

I've been reading the recent Linux and netbook blogs/analysis with great interest as my wife's ThinkPad T40 is nearing death. I asked her if she wanted a Mac, a netbook, or another ThinkPad. Her response: "I don't care. I just want to read e-mail, do some Excel and Word, and clean up pictures with Picasa."  Based on how I interpreted these requirements, I suggested a Mac. She nixed that idea quickly, saying, "If you want a Mac, like I know you do, go get one. But I don't want to pay extra for one."

Bruised, I suggested she buy a netbook. She'd seen them at Costco and liked the low price. I told her we could get one with Linux, so it'd be even cheaper. Her response: "How much cheaper? Because I know how my Windows works and how to access my folders with Explorer." I made the mistake of saying that the Linux version was about $50 cheaper than the Windows version. Game over. She wants nothing to do with a Linux netbook. Not surprisingly, she wants nothing to do with Vista and its whole new UI, either.

[ Discover what's next for netbooks in InfoWorld's special report. | Does desktop Linux still have a chance? Neil McAllister offers his prediction. ]

The discussion with my wife is exactly why I disagree with Sam Dean's view that "product differentiation -- a better product strategy -- is the holy grail for Linux netbooks. They should be more compelling and exciting than Windows netbooks, no matter what it takes to make that happen."

Trying to make the Linux netbook more compelling and exciting than a Windows netbook goes against consumer demand. The average netbook consumer (i.e., my wife) doesn't want a more compelling laptop/netbook; she wants a cheap and Windows-based user experience. Nothing different, nothing more.

To get my wife and countless other consumers to use Linux, the primary task has to be something other than personal computing. My wife knows what user experience she expects during personal computing tasks -- her experience with Windows has cemented that expectation. However, she doesn't yet know what user experience to expect when, for instance, reading on an e-book device. The primary task supported by the device is reading a book, magazine, or Web content. Adding support for personal computing tasks such as checking her e-mail or creating simple spreadsheets to this device could introduce a different user experience than she is accustomed to on her laptop.

Tags: Linux, netbooks, desktop Linux

| Print | 7 comments|

245 Recommendations

 

next › 

12

Sign up for InfoWorld's Today's Headlines: First Look newsletter.

White Paper

D2D Virtual Tape Library Replication Primer

This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.

Download now »

White Paper

An Alternative to Virtualization for Datacenter Cost Savings

Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.

Download now »

White Paper

Why Your Firewall, VPN, and IEEE 802.11i Aren't Enough to Protect Your Network

The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.

Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation

Download now »

White Paper

Bringing the Edge to the Data Center

Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.

Download now »