Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, has struck back at claims made by Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc about Windows' success in netbooks compared to Linux. Most of the claims made by LeBlanc are refuted quite accurately by Canonical's Chris Kenyon in a blog post titled "Microsoft, FUD and the netbook market".

There is one specific point in Kenyon's blog post that really stuck with me, and it has to do with competition and price. "Of course there is a significant benefit for users who do not select Ubuntu or another Linux distribution," Kenyon writes, "The price of XP crashed last year due to competition. So even if you bought a netbook last year with XP - feel free to smile when you see an Ubuntu PC. It's amazing what an open market can achieve." Rarely do I agree so thoroughly with salesmen (which he effectively is). Competition and choice are always good in these types of markets.

Of course, the infamous return rate element gets a thorough mention. In the original LeBlanc post, it is stated that Linux netbooks see much higher return rates than Windows netbooks. Kenyon doesn't actually refute that, but he does make a very snide comment towards OEMs shipping crappy implementations of Linux on their netbooks - one of the most-often heard complaints on OSNews. "The really big news for the industry is that well-engineered Linux netbooks have similar return rates to XP," he writes [emphasis added], "What makes a real difference to return rates is not whether it's Linux or not, but the quality of the device's hardware and the ability to fully partake in web and media experiences."

Kenyon makes a very good point here. Many implementations of Linux on netbooks are downright awful, but that's not solely the fault of OEMs. Linux distributors and their parent companies will have to be more active in educating OEMs about Linux. In fact, I think at least the major Linux distributors should band together, and provide a central place for OEMs to get information and help regarding Linux.

I already addressed the issue of hardware support in our original coverage of Microsoft's blog post. Microsoft implied that Linux' hardware support is inferior to that of Windows, but that's downright nonsense, of course, and Kenyon agrees. "Ubuntu and most Linux distributions support over 3000 printers over 1000 digital cameras, and over 200 webcams. It also supports them without the need to search for drivers on dubious websites or load drivers from a CD. Just plug and play."

Microsoft would be wise to shut people like LeBlanc up. If you want to compete with Linux, then do so by improving your product (like they are doing with Windows 7), but don't resort to the FUD tactics of yore.

News source: OSNews
View : Chris Kenyon's blog entry

I have to agree with inferior hardware support, while we can argue all day back and worth about plug and play and easiness of installation of drivers on Linux. I believe it remains that Windows supports larger variety of hardware. There are still number of wireless cards and graphic cards that either don't function with Linux or function at a reduced capacity.

I think the price of XP crashing has something to do with it being (then) seven years old and being re-purposed for cheap devices. You can't sell an expensive operating system on a cheap device and keep the price of the cheap device. It's not due to competition with free alternatives, it's just simply how it had to happen. Even if Linux/FOSS never existed, XP's price would have crashed for Netbooks all the same.

Why not just bump up the price of netbooks in that case? Its not like the user will have an alternative then pay £40 or however many $ more.

Because while the principle that with a lack of competition, you can charge what you want exists, in reality it doesn't work like that. People aren't that stupid, and will pay only so much for a device. Netbooks are low powered, weak devices, that work because they're only meant to perform simple tasks, and that they're cheap. Recession or not, competition or not, you can only charge so much.

Yes, but (sorry, I will have to quote in pounds, you can alter to dollars) netbooks generally start at £200 mark and up. I don't think charging £240 would completely through the customers off. And even if it did, what would they buy instead? Laptops? And what OS do they come with? Its pretty much win/win situation for Windows. I agree the principle of no competition = overpricing isn't rock solid factual, but in this case it does pretty much work like that.

As usual, those spitting out 'FUD' are usually the most guilty of it.

Aside from the reason for the price drop of XP, I don't think he'd really be interested in comparing the number of plug'n'play supported devices.

What, the manufacturer's websites? Or Windows Update?

I'm sorry, but if they're going to argue against a lack of support, make a rational argument for it. Just say "we support a good number of peripherals, most of the market". Don't make up crap about how driver support on Windows works.

What a dubious argument.. In my experience I have never needed to download a driver for an OEM computer (although I usually do anyway if there are updated ones). Also, Windows Vista supports a large amount of hardware and the only "dubious website" it searches is Windows Update. Same with XP although its hardware support is slightly less.

off topic:
hahaha i'm sorry the moment you said "People aren't that stupid" i just stopped and laughed and thought about the mac thread i was just in


on topic:

I'm not sure what LeBlanc has done wrong hes pointed out the truth and Kenyon is agreeing with it but turning around and saying it "well-engineered linux netbooks" have the same return rate as windows...so what?

LeBlanc has pulled up a valid point if anyone should shutup its Kenyon he realises that the linux netbooks are not being setup correctly/properly so why not do something about it rather then moan on a blog?



I think its childish that he had to quote what they support and theres a good chance microsoft supports even more so that was pointless installing drivers for windows couldn't be easy there pittiful attack is just that

also since when is it wrong to load drivers from a cd? shock horror...in some cases it may be better to use a specific driver over a generic one which windows provide and i'm assuming linux does aswell so that point is really null kenyon needs to dry his tears and focus on getting "well-engineered linux netbooks" for oems or make the install a bit more generic...or would that be to much like windows?

This blockheaded Microsoft assault on Mac and Linux is making me want to use anything with 'microsoft' in it's name less and less.

Indeed. Most hardware makers have shifty/****ty websites and the drivers they provide are usually not good at all.
I have more trust in the support provided by the open source teams.

LeBlanc has spun the truth.

The truth is the NPD report is limited to US sales only. The truth is that NPD limited their measurements to sales from brick-and-mortar stores. The truth is that Canonical never stated they say a "4 times" higher return rate for Linux (something LeBlanc uses a clever "and" to trick those that read and believe that what he said is the truth for all parties mentioned in his statement).

Amuses me that so many FOSS followers blame Windows for poor quality drivers though. Microsoft can't tell people how to write drivers, and in X86 editions of Windows, driver WHQL signing isn't mandatory

Meh. As many people blame "Linux" for the exact same thing when they try Ubuntu or what-not.

It's not correct. Just very common.

And like I said before, those people are stupid, it all comes down to Hardware manufacturers. My personal reluctance to use Linux (I won't say dislike because it does have some redeeming features) revolves around its ease of use issues, personally I understand that the problem is that almost all Linux drivers are community developed because most commercial hardware makers won't get off their backsides and write drivers.

Still it does sometimes get under my skin that people can't find real reasons as to why 1 OS has an advantage over another, but the fact is that Canonical are a very large company, and their people should know better than knowingly spreading FUD of their own in response to their perceived "FUD" from Microsoft, not exactly a good way to enhance your professional image if you are looking to gain the moral high-ground over a competitor.