Industry analysts say that Google is not likely to rush its Linux-based Android OS on netbooks, but if prices keep dropping for non-Windows netbooks, buyers may soon resent paying more for Windows. And that's when Google could capitalize. Google’s Linux-based Android operating system was designed for cellphones, but excitement is building about the prospect of Google running Android on low-power netbooks.The move would make sense. Android offers desktop OS features such as its built-in Web browser, Chrome, and support for third-party applications through Android Market. Also, in a recent test by two researchers, Android ran well on an Asus Eee PC netbook, and Asus itself has assigned engineers to work on an Android-based netbook.On top of that, three weeks ago Google CEO Eric Schmidt hinted that Google may subsidize Linux-based netbooks as a way to boost its online services. Yet, despite all this, Google has not confirmed any concrete plans for an Android netbook and according to analysts interviewed for this story that is not likely to happen this year.However, there is a significant opportunity for Google and possible peril for Microsoft if netbook prices continue to drop, says Michael Cherry, analyst with independent research firm Directions on Microsoft. “Netbooks are driven by price more than features,” he says. “If the price gap between Windows and Linux-based netbooks widens, buyers may stop caring about the operating system.”Cherry predicts that most netbooks will soon dip under $300 and says that computer manufacturers that are pushing netbook prices down will look to cheaper microprocessors such as those designed by ARM and cheaper OSs such as Linux.“Microsoft is winning with netbooks now because people are comfortable with the Windows brand,” Cherry says. “But netbooks are not a big investment for people, and they won’t be willing to pay more for Windows, especially if there are restrictions like only being able to run three apps at a time.” Cherry is referring to a drawback of Windows 7 Starter, a limited version of Windows 7 for netbooks that can only run three applications concurrently, though Microsoft says that all versions of Windows 7 should be able to run comfortably on a standard netbook with 1GB of RAM and a 1GHz processor.Another tech analyst, Tim Bajarin, president of consulting firm Creative Strategies, believes that Google will eventually extend Android to netbooks, but not until early to mid 2010. No matter when an Android netbook arrives, he says, Google will confront mainstream PC buyers who are wary of Linux and comfortable with Windows.“I still believe that a netbook is just a smaller laptop and that the majority of them will be Windows based even if an Android version does come to market in the future,” says Bajarin. He stressed that even though netbook buyers have rejected Linux, Android could become a serious OS platform for netbooks if Google gets software developers to give it full support.“But that’s a big ‘if’,” says Bajarin.Cherry agrees that Google is likely to save a showdown with Windows on netbooks until 2010, and part of the reason may be the economy.“Even companies like Google with lots of capital are being cautious,” he says. “They are worried about revenue. So this is probably not the year to get bogged down in things like putting Android on netbooks that are interesting but not necessarily profitable.” Related content BrandPost Retail innovation playbook: Fast, economical transformation on Microsoft Cloud For retailers, tight integration of data and systems is the antidote to a challenging economy. By Tata Consultancy Services Mar 24, 2023 3 mins Retail Industry Digital Transformation BrandPost How retailers are empowering business transformation with TCS and Microsoft Cloud AI-powered omnichannel integration and a strong, secure digital core lets retailers innovate across four primary areas while staying compliant, maintaining security and preventing fraud. By Tata Consultancy Services Mar 24, 2023 4 mins Retail Industry Cloud Computing BrandPost How to Build ROI from Cloud Migration This whitepaper and webcast can help you calculate the ROI and create a business case for modernizing your legacy applications to the Microsoft Cloud. By Tata Consultancy Services Mar 24, 2023 1 min Retail Industry Cloud Computing BrandPost How to power a sustainable enterprise on Microsoft Cloud In this eBook, we’ll follow the journey of Amal Skye, a fictitious woman who is committed to living in a way that preserves the planet for the future —and how businesses like Tata Consultancy Services and Microsoft are making that possi By Tata Consultancy Services Mar 24, 2023 1 min Retail Industry Green IT Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe