Comments on: Australians Demand Linux Netbooks

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:59:38 +0000

Socceroos: Give Dell some credit. They had the nerve to preload Ubuntu the same year Microsoft launched Vista. It was the right move, but it took guts.

By: Socceroos

Socceroos — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:38:56 +0000

Agh, Dell. They need to get out of bed with Microsoft. I’m sick and tired of all the large companies and retail outlets being given ‘incentives’ by Microsoft to not stock the Linux laptops – or at least to not have them displayed in their shop here in Australia.

Its a sad state we’re in. Hopefully this will all be changing in the near future.

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:07:15 +0000

I’m in Chiangmai Thailand presently. The note books here are about 50-50 Linux vs XP. A notable exception is Benq which is only available with Linux.

By: John C

John C — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:38:18 +0000

All the main retail outlets that sell netbooks in Hobart only appear to stock Win XP versions (apart from the Eee 701). I had to buy my Linux Eee 901 online and had to wait a couple of weeks for delivery. I’m very happy with it – works really well. So it seems that you have to go out of your way to get the Linux versions of these machines. Sort of a self-fulling prophecy – people aren’t exposed to the possibility of Linux so they don’t know it exists, so they don’t try, etc… The Eee 701 was very successful even though it was initially just Linux-based. ASUS allegedly said when they announced the retail Win XP only deal for Eee 900 and above machines – something along the lines of: “we have a relationship to maintain”. We know all know who that relationship is with, don’t we?

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:02:41 +0000

Hamish: The VAR Guy is heading off to Sydney, Australia today. Sorry he didn’t have a chance to meet you in Melbourne. He was amazed by the city and its residents. Hopefully, The VAR Guy will return to Melbourne.

By: Hamish

Hamish — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:03:58 +0000

Hi VAR Guy and welcome to my hometown! Yep, I read you here in Melbourne too!

Thanks for the heads-up about the Linux netbooks. Our local Linux User Group has been lamenting that they are only available in a few retail locations (much easier to find online though). Good to see retailers now openly promoting them.

Hope you have a good time in my great city! Feel free to contact me if you like

Hamish
Melbourne, Australia

By: tracyanne

tracyanne — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:53:13 +0000

quote::I wonder if Dell and the others will get the message?

don’t make me laugh. There’s no demand for Linux in Australia, according to Dell sales staff I’ve talked to.

By: Aronzak

Aronzak — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:24:20 +0000

Funny. I wonder if Dell and the others will get the message?

By: Vadim P.

Vadim P. — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:10:00 +0000

I wouldn’t say “demand”. Instead, there is simply a better sale rate with Australian marketers than others.

By: linux23dragon

linux23dragon — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:00:36 +0000

What about Radio Rentals sales in Australia?

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:47:59 +0000

Roy: The VAR Guy dug it out of moderation. Sorry for the delay but it’s dinner time in the land down under and a great Aussie steak was awaiting The VAR Guy.

By: Roy Schestowitz

Roy Schestowitz — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:51:22 +0000

BTW, I left another comment on a previous article and it must have entered moderation.