Acer bets big on Linux

**Ynot** · 06-06-2008 01:09 AM

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/22...hes-linux-hard

Acer has stated that it will be pushing Linux aggressively on its laptops and netbooks.

The company is already heavily promoting Linux for its low cost ultra-portable netbook range out later this year, but senior staff have said that Acer will also push Linux on its laptops.

Acer has already started selling Linux in its Media PC business but this should now spread, according to Gianpiero Morbello, vice president of marketing and brand at Acer.

"We have shifted towards Linux because of Microsoft," he said. "Microsoft has a lot of power and it is going to be difficult, but we will be working hard to develop the Linux market."

Acer sees two killer apps with Linux on computers: operation and cost. Its flavour of Linux will boot in 15 seconds compared to minutes for Windows, and the open source operating system can extend battery life from five to seven hours.

At the same time, the company expects that the price differential of Linux will make the offering attractive for consumers at the low-cost end of the market.

"Microsoft's operating system typically costs around £50 per unit," said David Drummond, UK managing director at Acer. "On a £1,000 PC that is peanuts, but on a £200 computer it is a major issue."

Pretty big news, when you consider Acer owns the eMachine, Gateway & Packard Bell brands as well as their own brand name.

**ninja9578** · 06-06-2008 09:49 PM

Acer is the biggest hunk of crap I've ever owned. The wireless card broke 3 weeks after I bought it and Acer refused to fix it. Windows then corrupted one of the Acer drivers and I couldn't use the screen. I loaded Ubuntu on it and it's fairly happy other the fact that it can't get wireless.

Maybe a OS to compete with Windows will force M$ to make a working operating system.

**Man of Steel** · 06-06-2008 10:56 PM

Hmm, I'm perfectly happy with my monster Acer Aspire laptop, though with a 17" wide-screen 'laptop' is pushing it. I've had it close to a year now, and it dual-boots Vista and Ubuntu 7.10 with no issue.

This is great news, in my opinion.

**Serkat** · 06-07-2008 01:27 AM

If they fix the fonts and the fact that you can't adjust mouse wheel speed, I'm all for it.

**ninja9578** · 06-07-2008 02:45 AM

You can adjust the mouse wheel speed, it's in the preferences.

I see a few more companies start pushing Linux soon too. For the first time the general public is seeing how bad Windows is (instead of just us tech guys) and looking for an alternative.

I think companies are seeing that Apple is getting record sales every quarters and figuring that problems with Windows is why. Knowing this, the next logical step would be to offer alternatives to Windows.

**Serkat** · 06-07-2008 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by ninja9578

You can adjust the mouse wheel speed, it's in the preferences.

Not in GNOME.

**Scatterbrain** · 06-07-2008 02:51 PM

Then switch to KDE or something.

**Serkat** · 06-07-2008 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Scatterbrain

Then switch to KDE or something.

"Or something" isn't as satisfactory as Windows.

**Marvo** · 06-08-2008 04:47 PM

sudo apt-get /kernel/5.202.02043/Acer/Is/Shit.tar

**ninja9578** · 06-08-2008 06:18 PM

Dell has Linux laptops too. My father just bought one. They also have FreeDOS computers as well.

**dsr** · 06-09-2008 12:24 AM

Korittke, just use a setup like this (although maybe with dwm instead of ratpoison. GNOME, KDE, Xfce, and every other bloated desktop environment just suck up all your computer's resources. Fonts and mice are virtually irrelevant when you keep your X environment as simple as that guy does.

**Scatterbrain** · 06-09-2008 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by Korittke

"Or something" isn't as satisfactory as Windows.

Then go with KDE.

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