How much impact would a $150/NetPC with no OS, just
browser, has on MSFT.
I think it would have an impact, but it would not be devastating to Microsoft. (And, by the way, almost every microprocessor device has some kind of OS, limited though it may be.) Some of these appliances would be sold instead of a PC, but many of them would be bought -- as you suggest you might do -- as an addition to a PC.
With Windows CE, Microsoft is in a good position to compete for the web appliance market. Right now, CE is used only on handheld computers and, soon, in the next version of WebTV. But it could also be used effectively for a dedicated web box. If a market for those things ever develops (and I think it will), I believe that a CE box would be appealing, since it has the advantage of familiarity and it could include several additional utilities that make it more PC-like. Microsoft is also in a good position to make such devices easily networkable with Windows PCs.
Admittedly, Microsoft has a problem getting OEMs to adopt CE. Its reputation precedes it, and some companies seem to fear that they would lose control of their own product if they allow Microsoft in as the little-OS. But a developer community seems to be growing for the system. It might yet become a very important part of Microsoft's product mix. |
