What is this world coming to? Has the PC world finally started to
wake up?
First there was the OLPC (One
Laptop Per Child, now called the XO) that sparked ASUS to try it hand
at a miniature, low-cost notebook (the Eee PC). This spark of
innovation has every computer maker in the world (except Apple) trying
to imitate its success and bring out its own mini-notebook.
Now Acer
is switching to Linux to create prices that simply aren't possible
with Windows.
I feel like Superman visiting Bizarro World. (Not
because I am like Superman, but because of how unusual the news is.)
I've claimed that PC
makers were lacking in innovation, but suddenly I find them doing
just what they should. Kudos to ASUS and Acer - good luck staying ahead
of the competition.
That is the bad news and probably the reason why there is so little
innovation. These smaller companies can come out with something new and
hope to gain a little market share. Next thing they know, Dell will be
showing off
its next line of computers that will look and sound suspiciously
like what these guys are offering.
That's the problem with generic hardware and standardized software:
Anybody can do it. Taking the risk of being the first to try is the
hard part. Once Dell sees that there is a market, they take little risk
in bringing out a competing model.
The good news is that Microsoft won't like it if Dell cozies up to
Linux too much. Microsoft is bound to offer a deal that Dell can't
refuse. That will help keep Dell out of the way for a while so Acer can
grow its brand a little.
Acer's biggest risk is growing too fast. Dell won't be able to
resist quick short-term profit, and they'll just ignore Microsoft's
arm-twisting. Slow, steady growth should go less noticed by Dell and
others.
I have just one piece of advice for Acer. "If you are going to take
Vienna, then make damn sure you take Vienna." Translation: Check that
there will be a market for Linux computers, then go all the way and do
what you set out to do. 
