So much for Microsoft attacking Linux and dismissing it as a problem as far as netbooks are concerned. In a move that could expand its horizon, Dell is researching the possibility of introducing smartbooks to grab more marketshare in the mini-notebook market. Smartbooks are designed for people who spend a lot of time on the web and are powered by ARM architecture. But Dell is not stopping there.  It is also upgrading its Linux products to the latest version of Ubuntu. So much for Linux being overrated.

Smartbooks are considered by many as a big challenge to netbooks. We haven’t seen too many of them this side of the world, but Dell and few other companies are planning to bring them to the states to grow the mini-netbook market. ARM based CPUs do have some advantages over their ATOM counterparts. The difference is not earth-shattering, but these CPUs are more energy efficient, which means smartbooks come with a longer battery life.

Smartbooks have many advantages over netbooks, but their main disadvantage is using Linux at this point. Linux is a wonderful operating system and is more than capable of going toe to toe with Microsoft Windows. But a lot of folks are scared of touching Linux on their computers. Microsoft’s fear mongering campaigns to discredit Linux has not helped its cause either. Sooner or later, people are going to realize that are many more positives than negatives to adopting Linux on their computers. But till then, Linux will have to fight hard to keep up with Microsoft.

Considering that Dell is also researching the possibility of releasing the first Google Chrome netbook, Microsoft should not be too happy. Google Chrome OS is considered by many experts as an operating system that will give Microsoft a run for its money. It’s still tough to tell how much market-share it can take away from Microsoft Windows, but with the release of Windows 7, we will find out what Microsoft’s best can do against Linux and Chrome OS. The recession may be ending, but that doesn’t mean people are willing to spend more money on their netbooks just to get Windows. It will take time but the free nature of Linux can attract more netbook owners in the long run. Microsoft certainly can’t afford to not take Linux and Chrome OS seriously.