Since Asus said they planned to sell Eee PCs with Windows pre-installed, a lot of people, including Asus themselves, have tried to predict which version of the Eee PC, the one with Linux or the one with Windows, will do the best. It is an interesting question, particularly since Linux has not traditionally done well with the non-geeky, mostly uninformed group of people who will really be deciding how well each version does, since they are the majority of people. While you might expect that the past will simply repeat itself and Windows will triumph again, Linux has never been given a chance before in the way it is being given a chance now, so the situation is different.

Put yourself in the shoes of an uninformed person looking at two models of Eee PCs. They both look the same (after all, what does GB or RAM mean?), but one says Windows and the other says Linux. Since you don’t really understand what Linux is and you may only have a vague idea what Windows is, what do you do? Ask the sales person. (Or scroll down and read the product details in the case of an online store.)

Typically, this would be where Linux gets unfairly put down by the Microsoft marketing giant. In most circumstances, the sales person would basically tell you that Windows is better (although not always) and that would be the end of it. To prevent this from happening, however, I propose Asus create a small set of bullet point benefits for each that the sales people can explain to potential buyers or that can be posted on retail websites. For example:

Windows:

• Most people are familiar with Windows, so unless you are already a Mac or Linux user, you will know how to operate the Eee PC as soon as you take it out of the box.
• All of your existing programs will work on your new Eee PC.

Linux:

• The interface is customized specifically for the Eee PC.
• Linux will run faster than Windows in most cases.
• No anti-virus software is needed as there are no viruses for Linux.
• Although things may not work exactly as you expect them to, most common tasks can be done as easily on Linux as on Windows.

With a set of fairly unbiased and easy to understand points like this, everyone could make an informed decision on which Eee PC to buy. Personally (and I expect many people will agree), if people make an informed decision to choose Windows, I have no problem with that.