Gone are those days when people doubted of notebook compatibility of Linux. Now desktop Linux has made inroads even to subnotebooks/netbooks. And all the leading desktop distros such as Ubuntu, Suse, PCLinuxOS, Fedora, Xandros, Mandriva and many others have rolled out their distro versions to fit these low-cost devices. The good news is that PCLinuxOS has also forayed into this area with its EePCLinuxOS.
Low cost, light weight and portability have made these subnotebooks popular and created fresh competition among top computer manufacturers such as Lenovo, Acer, Asus, Intel, MSI, VIA and HCL.
Asus was the pilot in this subnotebook revolution by unveiling the Intel-based Eee PC range running Linux on a 7 inch color screen. These machines measure just 8.9 × 6.5 inch. It has been a top seller on Amazon.com as well as in many in retail stores across the globe. Then VIA joined the bandwagon with its CloudBook, running gOS. It is based on the VIA nanobook reference design. But nnlike its competitor, the Eee PC which uses SSD, the CloudBook uses a HDD.
Next MSI launched its subnotebook, MSI Wind PC in a big way powered by Suse Linux, with features such as Bluetooth and a 10" led backlight 1024x600 screen. Indian giant, HCL has also launched its version of subnotebooks, Myleap, in two flavor - one powered by customized Ubuntu and the other by Windows XP. These days Acer, Sony, HP and many others have joined the gold-rush of subnotebooks. Here is a list of some leading PC manufactuers and their versions of subnotebooks powered by different Desktop Linux distros.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Desktop Linux and Subnotebooks/Netbooks
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2 comments:
hmm... but people overhaul those low-cost subnotebooks by installing windows xp right after purchasing them. linux is out, and windows xp is in!
not everybody! many are really happy with linux-powered subnotebooks. please correct yourself. i just wonder where did you get that info from.
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