

Microsoft is winning more marketshare at the expense of its sales prices








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RE: Awesome!
By pugz3d on 4/21/2009 1:26:45 PM , Rating: 3
Wow the posts here really escalated off into madness...
"Can't afford" is a bit off, but close enough.

The real point of the story is that without COMPETITION from Linux, your precious Windows XP netbook would cost you more for no other reason than they can get away with it.

So for the Linux haters - eat it, grow up, and show a little class.
Linux fanboys - settle down, it's getting closer, but you only get so much for "free".

I for one am starting to love Linux, and open source overall. I'm not a developer or programmer, just a Desktop Support type who doesn't like getting fleeced.

Great experience I had recently with my HP laptop running glorious XP. Tried to install HP Photosmart printer software, as my desktop mobo croaked. A 600MB package so I can use the stupid scanner and print... (I know the basic package is only 150MB, but thats still RIDICULOUS.) Same manufacturer for the 2 devices.... Software just stalls 5-10 mins in, hangs for at least half an hour, and then just blue screens the laptop, can't get in to safe mode, and eventually just reinstalled the monster.

Load up Ubuntu 8.10 live disc, and it doesn't ask me a single question, just works. Now, I didn't get the fancy multi-scan features of HPs bloatfish Photosmart Suite, but I could at least print and scan into some pretty useful apps that again didn't ask me a single question - JUST worked. I was friggin floored... Wireless drivers is another story for another time however :)

