Windows 7 Starter opens Door again for Linux on Netbooks

Are you running more than 3 Applications at the same time? Microsoft bets that you aren't. In February Microsoft announced the different versions Windows 7 will be offered in, including Windows 7 Starter. Windows 7 Starter is crippled to only run three concurrent applications. Windows 7 Starter is aimed at Netbooks and will only be available for OEMs.
The WSJ started the discussion in a new article, on whether or not Microsoft will go through with this and whether or not customers aka you will actually upgrade your Windows 7 Starter when you are treated to it after buying a shiny new netbook in Fall.
Microsoft hopes to gain back some of the Windows license fees they lose on netbooks as OEMs are used to paying less for it. Microsoft had to cut the price for the Windows XP license to get into the netbook market, which it is now dominating. There is some discussion that Linux is still not dead yet on netbooks, but it is safe to say the Windows XP market share on netbooks is much higher, which was not the case when netbooks launched.
If the Windows 7 Starter is going to be annoying to many new netbook users though and the upgrade price Microsoft is going to charge for a "usable" Windows 7 OS is high, then Linux has a chance again on Netbooks.

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