News.blog: Acer favours Linux for mini laptops

In an interview with VNUNet.com, Acer vice president of marketing Gianpiero Morbello said the Taiwanese PC maker has big plans to develop the market for Linux, not only on its low-cost ultraportable, but on the company's laptops as well.

The reason is because of the cost and operation of Microsoft's operating system over open-source Linux.

"We have shifted towards Linux because of Microsoft," said Morbello. "Microsoft has a lot of power and it is going to be difficult, but we will be working hard to develop the Linux market."

Acer officially unveiled its entry into the low-cost mini laptop market, the Aspire One, on Tuesday. It will come in both Linux and Windows XP flavours.

It makes sense to try to cut as much cost as possible out of building a device like the Aspire One, which will start at $379 (£190). The attraction to such a device is mainly price, and expectations of a full set of features can be relatively low. Plus, as Acer points out, Linux has a quicker boot time and can extend the battery life of tiny mini laptops like the Aspire One.

But will mainstream PC shoppers go for Linux when they're used to buying a Windows laptops? It's unclear if Acer, currently the number two laptop seller in the world, will be foisting Linux on reluctant consumers or just looking harder for places and markets that have yet to fully embrace Windows.