Asus Says Lack Of Linux Eee PC In UK Is Intel’s Fault

Asus is blaming Intel, not Microsoft, for a shortage of Linux based Eee PC’s in the UK. The popular Linux based computers are in short supply and have been sold out, while the less popular Windows XP models are still available. It was at first thought that the shortage was a possible plot by Microsoft but this proved false, when Asus confirmed that it is actually a shortage of Atom chips manufactured by Intel. The Register reports that:

Readers alerted us to the fact that while Windows XP-loaded 901’s are available to buy from British resellers, there’s a paucity of the Linux version. It’ll be available in late July, suppliers say.

That has led some would-be buyers to suspect pressure applied to Asus by the hand of the Beast of Redmond, but Asus UK spokeswoman Helen Ling pointed the finger at Intel.

All manufacturers, she said, are experiencing delays in shipments of Atom CPUs from the chip giant, impacting orders both large and small, no matter what volumes were previously promised.

The upshot: shipments to the UK are limited. Ling claimed the first shipment of the new Eees to the UK has sold out, and the company is awaiting a second shipment later this month - hence, we’d say, the “late July” arrival mentioned by retailers.

Asus produces Linux and XP Eees in equal numbers, she claimed, and will continue to do so: the Linux Eees are the better selling models. “We think our version of Linux is how we will stand out from our competitors,” she said.

That may explain why there aren’t any now: they’ve been sold, leaving only the less popular XP models still available to buy.

This is interesting because one would suspect it would be Microsoft, not Intel, that would try to cause problems. Also of interest, but not known, is how sales are in the US and if there is a shortage here. In Europe one would suspect that Linux would be more popular than here in the US. Or would it be?

Comments welcome.

Source.