[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Netbook Smackdown: Linux vs. Windows 7 here

[Envergure]

I've seen advertisements for Linux lots of times.

[drrexx]

Just a question: is the netbook version of Windows 7 a full version or a lighter version? If it's a lighter version, it may not have all of the gadgets, eye-candy, and productivity tools that make it worth moving to Windows 7 in the first place.

[arrbeejay]

If I were to buy a Windows XP netbook today, would I be able to upgrade to Windows 7 directly or would I have to first upgrade to Windows Vista?

[Dagnabbit]

This is kind of misleading...installing and updating packages in Linux is pretty darn easy. Updating with Adept Updater in Kubuntu 8.04 with the KDE 3 desktop is automatic. Most people can handle it just fine...My 70 yr old father runs it with no problems at all. True, a netbook could use a bit more ram, but with the lower(read nonexistent) cost and huge library of installable packages, why pay for windows? Lots of people are wising up to this.

[masterscout1977]

Thus Far, the beta is the "ultimate" version. It works great on a netbook with all the bells and whistles.

[mdeschane]

Your Windows bias is clear. My wife expects her PC to do exactly what she wants, no ifs ands or buts, and since she is given Windows to work with at work she expects her home machine to work exactly the same. I upgraded her existing home machine to Ubuntu (she did most of the installation herself) and she is a happy Linux convert.

[waldojim]

"So which is better suited for netbooks? For the mass consumer audience,
there's little doubt: Windows 7 is superior. Installing new software
and updating existing software in Linux isn't for the faint-hearted,
and most people won't be able to figure out how to do it. In addition,
Windows 7 has eye candy and extra features that Linux lacks. Most
people also won't want to tackle the learning curve they'll face when
moving from Windows to Linux."

SO - the author is trying to say that the little red flashy thing in the corner on ubuntu's toolbar - saying 'updates area available - click here to apply' is too dificult for users to understand? Seems to me that it is ALMOST identical to the windows version - except - the user gets a choice, and IE is not involved.

or the Eye candy? I hope to God he is not referring to AERO.... as the Linux community will glady show just how much more Compiz/Beryl can do than Aero... hell compiz/beryl can do things that Aero can only dream of!!! I like having a 3d desktop on a cube with fish swiming in the middle. There is just something peaful about rain on my desktop. Lets see Aero pull that off!

To the author: There are enough BIASED reviews out there. Grow a pair and write the truth, give MS a reason to squirm.

[LitlJay]

YEARS of Windows use vs. 2 pathetic weeks of Linux? Checking a box is harder than running an installer and clicking next a half-dozen times? Aero is has more eye candy than compiz?
Spend more than 2 weeks and try again!

[Flymo]

waldojim and LitJay are right - must have been a l o n g time since you really updated or installed anything on Linux, Preston!
Far easier than XP imho, and we have nods of agreement from 8 family members aged from 6 to 64.
Hmmm.... Preston? Didn't we see you in Wallace & Gromit?