Which is best for netbooks: Windows 7 or Linux?

Both.

I run both windows AND Linux in a dual-boot. It's really the best way to go. I'm tech-savy (as some may call it) so linux is fairly easy and intuitive for me, but there are some things that simply aren't compatible with linux yet, and are much easier to do on windows. However for speed, linux wins. I can hit the power button and get to the desktop in about the same amount of time, but when the desktop shows on linux, I can actually DO STUFF. When the desktop shows on windows, It's still a good 3 minutes or so before my computer will actually work, and even then it's slower than linux.

On the other hand you have windows which is compatible with almost everything, you never really want to install something and then can't do it because you're running windows, but then again that has a downside... this is made possible because every program on your computer can access precious files that are neccesary to run your computer... this means viruses.

In the end speed, and lack of viruses sold me on linux, but I also agree that if you're not tech-savy, you don't want linux.

A little supperficial Linux research if you ask me

2 Years ago, my wife's laptop had 256Mb of RAM and a 1.6GHz Pentium M processor. It is no surprise for me that I managed to install a Linux distribution in it with no effort and much more eye-candy and simplicity than Windows 7 has to offer today (Arch Linux, but most distributions are easy as well).

Linux distributions have matured a lot in this little time. There is more stability and even more extravaganza and usability in the eye-candy department at this time.

You can say I am an expert. That is no true if you see my mother enjoying openSUSE 11.1 everyday. She is an utter computers illiterate and already performs many tasks the author of this review considers "challenging" for average users...

It is important to trust users i.e., not treating them as if they were all oligophrenic maniacs. In my own experience, what they need is clear instructions the "first days" and then they start flying by themselves. No virus, no spyware, no DRM, no extra payments. All of your machine resources for you.

Do you remember how much time took you learning to handle Windows (any version)? Perhaps you got accustomed to do some tasks there but, that does not make its interfaces intuitive at all... Or even a handy, responsive, stable and, most importantly, efficient tool. For me, personally, Windows was always an obstacle to accomplish my goals. That's why I switched to never return.

In another point, all Linux distributions are complete and don't push users to install untrusted sources at random places. Most Linux based distributions have to offer pretty easy to use installers (i.e., openSUSE 1-Click install, the top of the top in every OS I know of)

Thus, I can't see where empowering users can go wrong.

Unless, of course, instead of helping them you want them to go ignorant so that you can exploit them...

Linux is not the absolute perfection. But I will always be an advocate of better standards. It is the most important thing when you think of computers in the days to come.

Linux programs install automatically without help.

I have been building linux machines for a few years for noobies. Ubuntu linux is so friendly that even if i give them no help at all ... they figure it out easily and rave to all their friends about how easy it is to install software.

Software installation on linux is almost infinitely simpler than on Windows. There is a database built in of 27,000 certified professional programs categorized into Games, Utility, Office, System and you can put a checkmark beside each program you want to install. There is no going to the store or even searching the internet.

Each program installation is fully automatic and requires no user input ... what could be simpler. It reminds me of the replicator in Star Trek ... you just have to say "make it so!" and the software installs itself.

Ian Soutar
Microsec R&D Inc.
Victoria BC Canada
http://www.microsec.net

Seriously? What

Seriously? What distribution of linux did you use that was difficult to install and upgrade software on? Gentoo?

Ubuntu and Mint are designed for those used to a Windows interface, and the package management is easy enough for a 5 year old to handle. Point, click, install. Not too hard. Updates are even simpler - one click and your updates are installed. There are even menu items that say "Install Software" and a tray icon that notifies you of updates.

On the subject of eye candy. Compiz is far greater than Aero Glass will ever be, and the general customizability of Linux amongst any desktop environment is far easier than and version of Windows I've dealt with (even 7).

On that note, Window 7 starter edition, which is what will ship with netbooks, is so utterly restricted, I would expect Linux to ship on 60% of netbooks, as a conservative estimate.

see http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=1233
and
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124018108488732939.html

Yes, as a long time Linux user, I will admit that my opinion is biased. But in my years, I have turned many windows users with minimal computer literacy into Linux users. Why? Linux works. Linux doesn't crash. Linux doesn't restrict. Linux is easy.

Windows 7 on a netbook

Mr. Gralla is absolutely correct. He speaks for the vast majority of future netbook buyers rather than the relatively few Linux pious. (Some devoted Linux advocates remind me of country music fans -- there is no other real music...)
I run a dual-partitioned Lenovo S10-2 with Windows 7 and Linux. Both perform adequately, but I spend 90% of my time on the Windows side where I can be more productive.

LOL vista on netbooks

Windows 7 runs so slowly on my netbook it's unusable. Ubunto, Mint and OpenSuse run great.

The systems you discribe are low power laptops, not netbooks.

if it has more than 1 GB and a spinning HD it's not a netbook anymore is it???

Netbooks proved there is a market for cheap small systems. I'm waiting for the sub $100.00 system.

How much will I pay for software for that system? What kind of budget is there for it? When XP goes what will MS do? It's MS not Linux thats doomed on the netbooks.

LOL vista on netbooks

Windows 7 runs so slowly on my netbook it's unusable. Ubunto, Mint and OpenSuse run great.

The systems you discripe are low powere laptops, not netbooks.

if it has more than 1 GB and a spinning HD it's not a netbook anymore is it???

Netbooks proved there is a market for cheap small systems. I'm waiting for the sub $100.00 system.

How much will I pay for software for that system? What kind of budget is there for it? When XP goes what will MS do? It's MS not Linux thats doomed on the netbooks.

What is this "Linux" you speak of?

Why doesn't the author tell us what kind of linux system he's running? I've been running Ubuntu 8.10 and have no problems installing software from packages (being debian-based, most major packages have installers if you're too skittish to try apt-get) and Compiz has more bells and whistles than my computer even knows what to do with. But without identifying what distro he's running, this article is useless. In fact, it makes it worse than useless because he says that his distro wasn't as good as Windows 7. This is like saying that you prefer using your Toyota Tacoma to do work on your farm because it carries heavier loads than the Ford you tried out, but forgetting to tell us that the Ford you tried out was a two-door hatchback.

Windows Bias clear

I agree with the comments above re the article have a clear Windows bias. Ubuntu, running on my old ThinkPad, (less powerful than new netbooks) is the computer of choice for my teen daughter. She has no problems doing anything (like running a zillion net-connected apps simutaneously) she needs and it's simple to update. The computer requires no protection beyond what comes by default.
If netbook manufacturers have anything to say re their user's customer experience they'll pass on Windows 7 for something that actually runs well.
An