Netbook Pioneer to Stick With Windows in 2009

From PC World: Asustek Computer (Asus) plans to continue using Microsoft Windows OSs in its popular Eee PC netbooks this year despite widespread interest in alternatives such as Google's Android software.

"Windows is what most consumers are used to," said Jerry Shen, CEO of Asus, during an investors conference on Thursday in Taipei.

The first quarter of next year will provide "more of an opportunity" for rival software, he said, as well as alternative chips.

Asus, which pioneered the netbook market, will also avoid using microprocessors such as the ARM cores in Qualcomm's Snapdragon mobile phone chips this year, he said.

The company plans to stick with PC industry chips, known as x86-based microprocessors. Shen said x86 chips are more attractive for netbooks for several reasons, including the wealth of software made to work on the microprocessors.

Microprocessors originally designed for mobile phones, such as the ARM processors, have different advantages. Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, for example, are very inexpensive, Shen said.

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