Linux has a 32 percent share on the Netbook market, an analyst says

Will it overtake Windows by 2013?

According to a research on Ultra Mobile Devices from ABI, 35 million netbooks will be shipped by the end of 2009. In addition, an article by Eric Lai from Computerworld quotes ABI analyst Jeff Orr as saying that Linux will have a 32 percent share on the netbook market this year.

Reportedly, customers are wondering whether Linux will ever catch up with Microsoft. The latter projected that Linux only has a 7 percent-piece of the market which leaves Microsoft with 93 since Apple does not have a Netbook.

Allegedly, it is difficult to say which company has the right figures. There is no reason to believe that ABI’s research results are not precise, though. If Linux continues to extend its market share, it will overtake Windows by the end of 2013, says Orr. He believes the reason for that is the growing number of Netbooks sold in developing countries.

Supposedly, most of the Netbook sales take place in Japan, Australia and New Zealand, is said in the ABI study.

“Just because you live in the United States, don’t assume that everything is on Windows” Said Orr.

According to Orr, Microsoft might have to do the same they did before and reduce prices on some of their Windows products

 “They need to get a play started now,” Orr said.

Reportedly, after Windows 7 was launched it is doing very well and consumers have to wait to see how this “battle”, if there is one, will evolve.