Dell: Linux netbook returns a "non-issue" (ZDNet)

Microsoft started this whole campaign by taking the online stories of people buying netbooks and installing Windows on them and used it as evidence that "people want Windows rather than Linux". They conveniently overlooked that people weren't installing Vista but XP and older Windows versions that would work on the low-spec hardware. They then offered 'discounts' for licenses on these 'cut down' machines as a further consumer incentive.

Microsoft has then threatened various resellers - Best Buy, Walmart, Harvey Norman (here in Australia), etc - with taking away their Windows licensing discount if they promote Linux before Windows. Citation needed, I know, but let's face it that's all going to be under NDA and the evidence will be hearsay that no-one will admit to (or have their discount revoked, etc). What ncm said applies here - zero units for sale, zero units sold.

Microsoft has then made lots of press about how few Linux machines are selling, how many (allegedly) get returned, etc., all to promote Windows.

Microsoft then uses this to force the OEMs to up their specs, include more support for Vista-only hardware, etc., to push the netbook market back into its own territory.

It's all strategy, and they've done it (and succeeded) over and over again. We should not be surprised that they try it one more time.

Have fun,

Paul