Microsoft Rules Netbooks Now, But ARM/Linux Threat Grows

“With just 10 percent netbook market share, the open-source OS
is a toothless tiger for now. But Linux-based netbooks may encroach
on Microsoft’s success in the near future. Two looming threats:
Google may decide to run its operating system, Android, on netbooks
and low-power processors from smartphone chip licenser ARM may take
off in netbooks.

“Despite hints that Google may compete on netbooks, nothing is
confirmed. For the time being, Linux flavors such as Ubuntu will
struggle for consumer and corporate attention on netbooks against
the comfort of the Windows brand, analysts say…

“Although neither Microsoft nor Intel is getting the big profit
margins they want from such a low price-point market as netbooks,
the two companies do have a good thing going, analysts say…

“Microsoft and Intel are winning a market using an old OS and
its smallest chip…”

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