Another Look At Linux Netbook Return Statistics

Some netbook retailers are slamming Linux for boosting their product-return rates. Here's why you should take their protests with a grain of salt.Lately, quite a few netbook makers and resellers are saying that buyers return Linux machines far more often than identical models running Windows XP. Last year, for example, the director of U.S. sales for MSI told Laptop Magazine that customers return Linux netbooks four times as often as Windows netbooks.

As Computerworld.com contributor Eric Lai pointed out, however, such claims can be misleading.

According to Lai, MSI's numbers weren't based on the company's actual netbook return rates. In fact, at the time, MSI wasn't even shipping a Linux-powered netbook model.

So, where did MSI get its information? From third-party market research.

This, however, is a game anyone can play. Case in point: According to Lai, another research firm recently published a report stating that Asus -- the company that popularized the netbook form factor -- sees identical return rates on Linux and Windows netbooks.

The same report notes that when MSI launched its Linux netbook offering, the company did not customize Linux for its netbook models. Other top-tier netbook OEMs, by comparison, including Asus, Acer, and Dell, all invested in customized, presumably more user-friendly, Linux distros on their netbook models.

Let's face it: Third-party research is always suspect. As a rule, it is foolish to rely upon it when making business IT purchasing decisions.

Such research can, however, play an effective supporting role in a company's IT decision-making process. The key is knowing when to sidestep a researcher's conclusions in order to drill into the supporting data.

In this case, the supporting data suggests that a satisfying Linux netbook experience depends heavily upon an OEM's willingness to invest in effective, appropriate adjustments to the underlying operating system.

Linux can deliver a great netbook user experience. And as more netbooks using ARM processors hit the market, Linux will increasingly be the only operating system choice. Bear in mind that the ability to customize Linux is both its greatest strength and chief weakness, and you'll be well-positioned to make informed netbook buying decisions.