Why Did Xandros Acquired Linspire?
Linspire (nee Lindows OS) is a commercial Linux platform, originating on a Debian build, but later switching to Ubuntu. The idea behind Linspire is to create a low cost Linux operating system that would have enhanced compatibility with Microsoft Windows applications, using CNR (click and run) technology. Linspire based machines are generally found at big box retailers such as WalMart, which is known for it’s discount prices, and an essentially free OS helps keep the cost of computer systems down.
Xandros is also part of the commercial Linux world, so it’s not surprising to see competitors purchasing each other. What makes the Linspire acquisition interesting is that Asus’ EEE PC ships with Xandros installed OS, although due to demand, Asus added Windows pre-installed models a few months ago.
To keep costs in line, a Xandros EEE that costs the same prices as the Windows variant is generally a better spec’ed machine, in the memory and storage department.
Still, Windows is Windows, and the more EEEs that ship with Windows, the less Xandros makes. With the rumour that Asus has been considering switching to debian for it’s Linux OS of choice, Xandros with CNR would have a whole new kind of sexy for the mini-laptop manufacturer.
I suspect that by gaining access to the Linspire Windows compatibility software, Xandros becomes much more appealling to Asus, and in most cases could negate the need to run Windows XP (which offiically stopped being sold at the retail level just a few days ago).
I personally have one of the 7″ EEE PCs, and after playing with the initial Xandros OS for a couple of weeks, opted to install Windows. There were a couple of programs for which I just couldn’t find a Linux replacement.
If the installed OS included Click And Run Windows app compatibility, it’s possible, and even likely that I wouldn’t have installed XP on my machine, as long as the apps I needed would run on top of Xandros without a lot of fussing around.
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