You Tell Us: Would You Buy…

Posted Jan 4 2009 by AndroidGuys in  with 20 Comments

There’s a lot of talk these last few days about Android and the potential that exists with netbooks.  Whether it be Asus, Intel, or another company… Would you buy a netbook if it was running Android?

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  • http://twitter.com/BenFeldman Ben

    Assuming the necessary interface optimizations and changes are made (or updating the core OS with said changes at some point down the road is as trivial as with the G1), then yes, I would — no doubt in my mind.

  • http://www.daverea.com/ dave

    Given that I’m both a desktop Linux user and an incorrigible tinkerer, Android pre-installed on a netbook would primarily affect my purchase decision insofar as it would offer another option to avoid paying the Microsoft tax. More importantly, though, I’d be strongly biased toward purchasing a netbook for which an Android port is available, so that I’d always have the option to install it.

    Bottom line: I think the availability of Android on netbooks would more affect which one I’d buy, rather than whether. But that’s just me, and I’m a minority case :)

  • chefgon

    Probably not. Android is designed from the ground up as a mobile OS, it just wouldn’t make sense on a laptop form factor. Running a single program at a time in full-screen makes a lot of sense on a little phone, but on a laptop with a 1024×600 screen it would just be frustrating.

    It would probably make more sense in a form factor like the Nokia Internet Tablets. Bigger and more powerful than a phone, but still handheld. Once you get too big to call it a handheld, then you’re better off with a full desktop version of Linux.

  • http://michang05.blogspot.com Mike

    it depends …. (you know what i mean)

  • Kevin

    I do see a need for netbooks sold with a linux OS, and there are a lot of advantages for doing so. However, I don’t understand why Android would make a better operating system for a netbook than a linux OS that was designed for PCs, like Ubuntu.

  • http://www.ukfree.tv Briantist

    I have had two Asus Eee PCs, the first with Linux and the second with XP.

    Just to say, I’ve been a Unix system admin for over two decades, so I am quite happy with Linux.

    But, I do prefer XP on my netbook. It is mainly because of the applications I like to run. I’ve ditched Microsoft Office for OpenOffice, but there are still a few applications – CorelDraw! in particular that I just can’t live without and I can’t get Linux version of and I use on a daily basis.

    So, I can’t see Android being useful here. But, perhaps if the device I was using was also connected to the 3G network then it might make more sense with Android.

  • Todd

    Running Android on a netbook would quadruple its battery life – so YES, I would.

    For all my love of Ubuntu, it chews up the battery constantly calling the CPU. I doubt Ubuntu Mobile edition will make much gains. Android is so hyper efficient, it barely registers any CPU use.

    Add Chrome’s V8 rendering of web pages

    …then factor in the fact that Android uses cloud services for storage, properly indexed so you preview descriptive text strings of stored data that do not spool up in cache, and you have a monumental reduction in the battery taxing actions all other OSes make.

    I predict a six cell netbook running Android could be used continuously for 24, 48 ( ? ) hours without a recharge.

  • Kasper

    It it was the only alternative besides Windows, then yes I would. If a good “normal” Linux distro is available I would rather choose that though.

  • ph43drus

    I probably wouldn’t go for this, not because of Android’s suitability or lack of thereof to the task, but just because I’m not that cranked about the netbook form factor in general.

    I want mobile connectivity from a device that’s small enough to literally have on my body during all waking hours. The G1 is about the upper limit on form factor to meet that criterion. While a netbook is very portable, it’s not going to fit in my pocket or a holster.

    For serious computing I want something with a big honking full-sized keyboard and a widescreen monitor. Netbook? I find laptops too small for what I want to do when I’m at my desk.

  • http://www.leadershipbynumbers.com jack dausman

    90 % Probably not. 10 % would if (1) it was a free device with a (2) good service plan for 3G/4G net access and (3) Google had patches and updates on a regular basis. Oh, and I could use a bluetooth headset with it as a complete phone replacment.

    Now, why not ? Well, look at the Netbook Linux roll-outs this last year. Many of them didn’t do as well as expected. They had heavily customized Linux versions that were not easy to keep up to date with patches or new features. Dell is doing OK with Ubuntu. Putting out a new Linux in the consumer space of a Netbook would be very tough–even tougher than trying to push Linpus (isn’t that the worst marketing brand name, ever ?).

  • Michael

    I would buy one

  • http://androidsupportforum.com BaltimoreSteve

    If the OS would have access to all the Android Market Apps then I would buy one in a second. It’s nice to be mobile, but I hate the small screen. Having the Apps on a big screen would be great. I think they are missing out on a big opportunity to sell Apps to Desktop and Laptop users. Here is the tech idea for the world: Develop a universal docking station which allows a person to put their phone in and can access all the features of the phone on a standard keyboard, mouse, and large monitor. It would also charge the phone at the same time.

  • Jonathan Nakamichi

    I agree with BaltimoreSteve. I would want to run my Android apps on a netbook. But I would also like to have Windows or Linux on it as the main OS.

  • BDot

    On a NETbook yes. If I were traveling, and just needed web access, a few basic other things, I think it would be sufficient. Now, for a NOTEbook, much as I love Android, I would have to pass. It just isn’t up there yet in terms of productivity (lack of word processing comes to mind).

    Now, if some generous souls who happen to be a Linux geeks can get ‘Droid up and running like a full fledged distro…then we’re talking something different.

  • Mark

    YES ! … i dont like windows monopoly, so … I really dont care about IT traditions and practices :-) Android is fine, free and open:-)

  • gary

    Yes, provided I get root access :) unlike the G1 :(

  • TareX

    NO.

    A netbook should be a mini-ultraportable version of your laptop/desktop. Android is great on smartphones/phones though.

  • http://spencer.riddering.net Spencer Riddering

    Yes, for my kid.

    It looks perfect for kids. Rugged and simple UI, A “managed” environment would make it difficult for a kid to reconfigure the printer or network connection.

  • Edmundo

    Yes, if it was a NetTablet not a NetBook

  • B Hidd

    In order for me to consider it, I’d require two big fixes.

    1> Office/Outlook, anything productivity based – take your pick.
    2> Flash – I mean come on.