Microsoft bolsters Windows by slapping Linux-equipped Netbooks

by Stevie Smith - Apr 7 2009, 15:30

Already making waves with its elaborate $300 million USD advertising attack on Apple-branded computers, Redmond-based Microsoft Corp. has also taken a swing at Linux operating systems installed on ultra-portable Netbooks in order to further bolster the position of its Windows platforms.

More pointedly, ChannelWeb reports that Microsoft communications manager Brandon LeBlanc has penned a post on the official Windows Blog in which he reveals customer return rates in relation to Linux-based Netbook systems are four times higher than the rates attributed to Netbooks equipped with Windows.

LeBlanc also offered that in the year since Microsoft entered the then burgeoning Netbook market, U.S. sales of Netbooks carrying Windows have risen from under 10 percent of total units sales in the first half of 2008 through to a massive 96 percent in February of 2009 – as provided by figures collated from NPD Retail Tracking data.

According to LeBlanc, a Client Communications Team specialist, the significantly reduced return rates connected to Windows Netbooks when compared to Linux-based alternatives shows that people want and expect the Windows experience to be included within their computer purchases.

“Not only are people overwhelmingly buying Windows, but those that try Linux are often returning it,” said LeBlanc. “When they realize their Linux-based netbook PC doesn’t deliver that same quality of experience, they get frustrated and take it back.”

Outlining that UK Netbook provider Carphone Warehouse has dropped its Linux Netbooks after associated customer confusion led to a system return rate of 1-in-5, LeBlanc explains that people choose Windows because, “it’s easier to use, just works out of the box with people’s stuff, and ultimately offers more choice.”

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