True. And Microsoft responded with a ULCPC (Ultra Low Cost PC) version of XP that cost them $11-$16 or so -- which they could easily get back by installing crap

True. And Microsoft responded with a ULCPC (Ultra Low Cost PC) version of XP that cost them $11-$16 or so -- which they could easily get back by installing crapware. This left Linux with no cost advantage on parts, or a negative cost advantage, if you added more crapware. The much higher costs of shipping Linux then killed off the Linux netbooks. The higher costs included extra testing and parts qualification, extra shipping and advertising costs, and, in particular, massively increased support costs. (One Linux user support call wiped out the profit margin on multiple sales.)