Linux Netbook Reviews: What The Wall Street Journal Missed
The Wall Street Journal today (May 28, 2009) published a review of multiple Linux netbooks running Ubuntu, Mi and Moblin Linux. Overall, I think the review offers fair, balanced coverage of what’s right — and wrong — with the Linux netbook market today. But there was one line in the review that I found completely misleading and shortsighted.
First, let’s start with the positive. The Journal spent a week “using several flavors of Linux running on netbooks — Ubuntu, Hewlett-Packard’s Mi (which is based on Ubuntu) and Moblin, created largely by Intel and not yet available commercially.”
The devices were:
- H-P’s Mini 110 Mi Edition running Mi
- An Acer netbook running Moblin
- Dell Mini 10 running Ubuntu 8.04 (plus a manual install of the new Ubuntu Netbook Remix Edition)
The Journal made some fair points, noting that the Linux netbooks had compatibility problems with external devices:
“The netbooks couldn’t load the software drivers to let me print to my Canon and Dell printers. I couldn’t load pictures over a USB cable from my Canon PowerShot SD750 digital camera. I was able to get my pictures on the machines by plugging a storage card from my camera directly into the netbooks.”
Translation: Linux netbooks may not be ready for many consumers and businesses, especially users who want their PCs and notebooks to discover and work seamlessly with the vast majority of peripherals.
The XP Factor
Now, my concern. This line from The Wall Street Journal article upset me:
“Since a Windows XP version of the Dell Mini 10 sells for the same price as the Ubuntu, I can’t see a compelling reason to choose the Ubuntu option.”
What a shortsighted comment. Forget about initial costs. Let’s focus on total cost of ownership, and software productivity. A Dell Mini 10 with Ubuntu will never suffer from the security and virus issues that a Dell Mini 10 with Windows XP will surely experience.
Running mounds of security software on a netbook can suck up processing power, slow down the system, hit your wallet … and the list goes on.
No doubt, Linux netbooks have their shortcomings. But The Journal should have noted that Microsoft’s own mainstream operating system — Windows Vista — has had so many compatibility and resource issues, that Microsoft was forced to downgrade Netbook customers to XP. And those XP customers will live forever with Microsoft’s security headaches, plus incremental costs for Microsoft Office and other Microsoft applications.
In stark contrast, I’ve run Ubuntu on desktops, notebooks and netbooks with OpenOffice (bundled free) for two years. And I can’t recall experiencing a security headache or paying for security software. (That’s not an invitiation to hack me.)
Too bad the Journal overlooked this TCO issue.
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It always suprises me… they claim that windows XP has all this hardware support; but always needs a CD. Not linux’s fault if vendors refuse to provide drivers. And, BTW, I have used more than one camera out the box with linux, including, I think, a Canon, with no driver downloads, from a USB cable, with no problems. And, did they ever try to find out if they were compatible with linux via a program like fspot etc? or a simple google search? I doubt. In reality, all the FUD is unnecessary. What does windows have support for? A mouse?
COULDN’T LOAD PICTURES via USB? What are these guys smoking? Most (like in 99%) cameras are supported to donwload via usb. Maybe they had no camera software installed? My eeepc works with everything at home. Prints via the net to my HP printer attached to the desktop, loads pictures from my Canon camera … and that even worked with Xandros (things are a lot smoother with Ubuntu of course).
And we are lucky this wasn’t written by “everything not Mac sucks” Mossberg!
Since the article includes specifics concerning the camera hardware perhaps someone running a stock Ubuntu Dell mini 10 can do an independent analysis. I don’t have that particular brand of camera so I can’t do a direct re-test.
Unfortunately the article doesn’t state clearly what the printer hardware is so that will be more difficult to accurately re-test.
Is the failure here just one of a lack of familiarity with how Ubuntu works? Or is it lack of hardware support for real? Maybe workswithu can do a follow-up test of the exact same hardware and give everyone a clearer answer.
-jef
@Jef: Thanks for your feedback but I do want to set your expectations and reader expectations for WorksWithU.
Product integtration and compatibility testing: Not really part of our expertise or mission. So please don’t expect us to start testing product compatibility-related issues, etc.
Our mission is to cover the business emergence of Ubuntu — where it fits and certainly where it doesn’t fit in small, midsize and large organizations. We also write quite a bit for enthusiasts — the evangelists who promote Ubuntu for consumers, schools, non-profits, etc.
Thanks for reading and for your continued ideas/feedback.
What it appears to be here is that the reviewer in the article seems to forget Linux is NOT Windows! Couldn’t get the printer to work? Did they mean that the drivers on the CD didn’t work or did they actually try to setup CUPS? There so many things wrong with these Netbook reviews. The FUD is becoming really annoying!
Joe, you’re dead on.
“The netbooks couldn’t load the software drivers to let me print to my Canon and Dell printers.” Load from where? A CD, containing only Windows drivers? This is just a matter of doing a little research. Did he google for a solution? Visit any forums? Call his geeky friend? Or even call Dell or HP? Nope, by all indications he just gave up.
And yet often these same authors will be given a Mac and somehow the line changes to “my printer didn’t include Mac drivers on the CD but I found some online in no time”. People come in expecting Macs to be new and different, yet expect to be able to switch to Linux without learning a new way of doing things, and dub it a fail when that proves false.
I guess his camera didn’t have any kind of removable media! I read this article last night, and thought it a little short sighted. While yes, Linux does have some compatibility issues that consumers may find it difficult to overcome, Ubuntu Netbook Remix blows the doors off XP and Win 7 on my HP 1035NR. XP on the device was a little slow and mushy. The additional overhead of ZoneAlarm and printer software running in the background didn’t help out either. XP and Win 7 also used up pretty good chunks of the 16GB flash disk. MS Office 2007 was really slow and bloated on both Win 7 amp; XP, Outlook particularly came to a crawl.
While I applaud HP’s effort with the HP MIE, MIE isn’t really there yet, and anyone comparing HP MIE to a desktop OS (be it linux or windows) will be disappointed.
I think the Journal missed out on the many positives of running Linux on a netbook. And I personally question a reviewer that classifies iTunes as “key” software.
Lets talk about installing this stuff in a windows environment. Most folks would use the CD that came with the product. If it did not work at they might call tech support. Often they don’t because of the broken english of the support person who is reading off of a scrip. They also don’t call because good support costs money. They bought the cheapest printer they could get, they are not going to spend $50.00 more on support.
So what do they do then. They call a friend or work colleague who knows more about windows than they do and ask them what to do.
Most people do not know their support options with Linux. Ok, no print (or camera) drivers on the CD and Linux did not seem to find the device automatically. What do I do now? They don’t have a friend who knows more. They don’t know how to google “sd750 linux” or “sd750 ubuntu. They don’t know how to visit generic Linux support forums. They don’t know how to visit the Linux support forums for Ubuntu, or Fedora or whatever it is they are running. They don’t know how to visit the linux support forums Dell has for mini inspiron 10. And they most certainly don’t know how to find there way to freenode.net and an IRC channel where someone could even help them in real time.
Whenever I do a Linux install for someone I setup a help menu with a link to the correct channel on freenode in xhcat and links to the support forms that will launch firefox. I also explain how to use them. Then I remind them they can call me as well.
Windows or Linux, most people need some hand holding. They are just more aware of how to get their hand held in Windows. This is also Microsofts fear. What happenens when everyone has a friend that can help them with Windows and a friend that can help them with Linux? Then people could choose which one to run. All things being equal, that choice does not favor Microsoft.
Joe:
Sorry I meant to write workswithu readership.
-jef
How can this quote be true ?
“Since a Windows XP version of the Dell Mini 10 sells for the same price as the Ubuntu…”
If Ubuntu comes with OpenOffice for free while the licence fee of MS Office is not factored in, aren’t we comparing an apple with a fruit platter ?
Forget MS Office or Open Office. Factor in virus protection and the likelihood of a virus infection, the added overall security of a Linux based OS along with all the free applications, along with applications that run smoother and faster. Maybe WSJ is getting some Microsoft Money, ya’ think?
A lot of Canon printers don’t work on Linux.
Dell printers are usually Lexmarks so the problems are not surprising. I don’t recommend Lexmarks to Windows users either as they have horrible paper handling.
I always have to find and install drivers for Windows XP to run the chipset, video, audio, network adapters, and most hardware after an installation.
I have installed Linux on many machines, and have rarely had to do anything but setup the printer in CUPS (I use HP and Lexmark printers).
I have three different manufacturer cameras that all I have to do is plug in the mini-USB and Linux detects them (I use a program called Gtkam with cameras).
Kubuntu runs noticeably faster then Win XP. My daughter’s MP3 player requires software to be installed to use it with Windows XP, but plugged into Kubuntu it recognizes it as a removable drive…no installation needed.
@MWade: I second that! My Creative Zen worked out of the box in Kubuntu. I bought the same player for my Niece back home, and I had to spend 2 hours fighting with the installation in her Windows box. That was after her sister and herself had spent another two hours of their time with no luck. The reason I got it to run in Windows was in part that I am a geek, but hey, I think my conclusion is that Windows is not ready for the average user. And I really mean it.
I need to use windows xp at work and, while it is obvious that in the last few years Windows improved quite a bit from the obnoxious disaster it was in the nineties, it sucks as compared to my linux-only computing at home. Plus, windows takes away my freedom and it is expensive. This is a no brainer to me.
How can this quote be true ?
“Since a Windows XP version of the Dell Mini 10 sells for the same price as the Ubuntu…”
Even with Oo, (no don’t forget it) and the security bennies, why are these the same price?
@Fr33d0m:
“Even with Oo, (no don’t forget it) and the security bennies, why are these the same price?”
Funny, I just went to dell.com, searched from “mini 9”, and the only mini 9’s i could find are all with Ubuntu, starting at 250. You get a very nice machine for 305 (with the 1.3 Mp camera, 8gb ssd and 1Gb ram).
But up until recently, they had both WinXP and Ubuntu offerings, and the Ubuntu were consistently $40 less. This article in the WSJ is total crap. Makes me happy I didn’t renew my subscription with them.
Sorry, I was wrong, the mini 10 costs the same with XP and with Ubuntu. The Ubuntu one is still a better deal (because Ubuntu blows windows away). But I am afraid Microsoft may be chargin yuo the MS Tax when you buy a mini-10 with Ubuntu, anyone knows?
On the other hand, I am perfectly fine if the prices are the same because of a payment to Canonical for each Ubuntu machine sold, in compensation for Canonical’s assitance in the customization. I doubt this though, because they are still using Ubuntu 8.04, and also because Dell has its own Linux team. But I may be wrong.
I’ve been running XP at home for many years without virus protection and the only time I have had an issue is when I very stupidly tried to open something I should have known better to have not to. Admittedly I know more than the average user, but I’m just saying.
I actually have XP set up to run very well and it is a pretty darn good system for my needs. I dual and triple boot on my machine into various Linux flavors so I know what they are all about and I have skills there. There are just quite a few little annoyances that have me more often than not booting into XP.
Not trying to piss on anyone’s parade, I’m just telling my experience and I am no “newbie”.
[QUOTE]I’ve been running XP at home for many years without virus protection[/QUOTE]
Well, you must be running either disconnected from any network, or connected to the network via a router running GNU/Linux. So, unless you ARE disconnected from the internet, you really DO need to thank GNU/Linux that no virus ever got to your XP machine.
Eric wrote: “I’m just telling my experience and I am no “newbie”.”
Precisely, you are not a newbie. How long does it take the average (= technologically-challenged) Windows user to catch a virus or similar?
Remember, there are millions of infected Windows PCs out there.
“What a shortsighted comment. Forget about initial costs. Let’s focus on total cost of ownership, and software productivity.”
The total cost of ownership for the Ubuntu machine is obviously much higher. Are you counting time spent troubleshooting bugs or dealing with crashes? Time spent surfing Ubuntu Forums looking for answers? The time and money spent replacing peripherals that aren’t compatible with Ubuntu? The cost of bottles of Aspirin for dealing with all the headaches that running a Linux-based machine will produce?
Cost of ownership for Linux is only lower when you’re running racks of servers. For desktop machines (or netbooks), it’s much higher, due to Linux’s bugs, incompatibilities, poor usability, and instability.
And the “mounds of security software” argument is just FUD. I’ve never had a problem with malware or viruses on Windows. Avoiding malware is just a matter of user education. That’s like comparing Ubuntu 9.04 with Windows 95 and saying “look how much better Ubuntu is!”
troubleshooting bugs? if you’re like me always tinkering with debian sid (or sometimes experimental), sure. but then no normal user should be installing or using such branch.
it would be fun to see you hold up your allegation of bugs in desktop linux against bugs and security issue on win XP.
@Eric and @Hmm I wish you good luck. There are many trojans and exploits that do not manifest noticeable symptoms. Today its not safe even for Linux. Education mitigates social engineering attacks, a itty bitty part of a larger problem — malware is a million dollar industry that’s attracting the very worst of organized crime. Be smart, play safe whatever your OS.
I doubt that we can win the hearts of all users and vendors. Its curious how the subject of choice works. The state of affairs in netbooks has little to do with Ubuntu. If anything, without Linux the netbook form factor may never have seen the light of day. Did I not read somewhere that the OQO is now dead, and was it not a Windows only device.
The hardware guys have to come to their senses and support a common format for interfacing devices but of course the greedier they are the more likely they are to use a proprietary format to lock out competition. This could work against them. You should be careful when building fences. They are not always meant to keep people out. Majority of the time they are designed to keep people in (imprisoned).
TCO is irrelevant in the home user market unless it means substantial measurable savings. TCO is a business measure used in the face of a revenue to profit argument. I prefer self help, that’s just me. I am not going to waste time out of my life I’ll never get back arguing about how much time I waste on Linux. Linux makes me happy. Few people realize the power of Windows let alone any other kind of system. Syskey just broke on me irreparably locking me out of my system. Ntfs3g saved the day and my data.
The camera ‘compatibility’ issue is just plain dumb. It’s always made far more sense to me to take the card out of my camera and plug it into a card reader, which always works and thus makes the whole thing a non-issue. Then, there is no benefit to plugging your digital camera into a computer with a cable, only drawbacks. With a cable the camera has be on which drains the battery. Then you have to have a cable handy which just clutters up the place. But for that matter 99% of cameras just work with Ubuntu.
Lately the biggest compatibility headache I’ve had was with Windows XP and Vista not having a driver for an old HP laserjet 5 printer, which 8 years ago was maybe the most popular laser printer in the world. There actually is no Vista driver – diggin a while turned up the fact that the XP driver works for Vista. Okay, but it’s not on my XP discs so I had to look on the web for one. Finally found one among all the Windows ‘driver’ sites that basically want you trick you into downloading some crapware. It took about 40 minutes to get that printer working on both machines, wheres on Ubuntu it just worked immediately. Huh.
The original WSJ article smacks badly of snobbery. The shallow “Oooo, look at the perty lights…gah! It’s not Windows so it must be crap!” mindset is off-putting and seriously lacks merit beyond parroting those tired cliches and myths. Comments here have already stated the obvious issue that hardware support is lacking on the _vendor_ side, not the kernel side. This fact has been stated so many times, either the gentleman from the WSJ is quite daft and does not dare live outside of his comfort zone, or he is purposely being obtuse.
I don’t have the netbook, but I have that model of Canon camera. It has worked out of the box w/ linux since I got it. fedora, ubuntu, gentoo… all over USB.
I like Ubuntu Linux. For a FREE Open Source operating system, it works great. It’s compatible with more hardware than Windows Vista. Ubuntu seems to have less problems than other Linux distros. My only complaint is that Ubuntu doesn’t work with Skype, unless you tweak it.
XP users may not have the patience to try Ubuntu, or Vista for that matter. It seems like XP is the de facto standard these days. Most XP users probably won’t give up XP until Microsoft pries it out of their cold dead hands.
Can you guide on a high definition review website. I got this from my friend looks ok
High definition camera
Bob
So, the WSJ is now a computer hardware test facility? Right! What’s next, test pilots, mountain climbing gear? Any other ideas for which they fail in qualifications?
I keep listening to the news speak about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one.
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