Acer plans to release all of it's upcoming dual core netbooks with a dual boot configuration containing both Microsoft Windows 7 and Google Android.
This is a major announcement showing the consumer market's adoption of Android as a rival to Windows and Apple. The open source OS has caused chaos in the mobile market, with more Android subscribers than iPhone customers signing up for data plans.
"Since adopting Google's operating system does not cost much, but will provide more efficiency to its consumers, the strategy is expected to stimulate demand," Acer stated.
Preceding this announcement, Acer also launched the Aspire One D250 and the Aspire One 260, both of which dual booted Windows 7 and Android. These dual core netbooks are able to quickly boot either OS, giving consumers the choice and flexibility to use different operating systems that have strengths in different areas.
Acer is one of a few companies that quickly embraced netbooks, with numerous popular products launched over the past 24 months. However, the Apple iPad and other tablets are reportedly cannibalizing the netbook market, while consumers transition to new portable devices.
Notebook and netbook makers have previously offered various Linux operating systems alongside Windows XP configurations -- but these products remained unpopular among most consumers. The Android platform has proven popular among smartphone enthusiasts and regular users, with even more growth expected for the future.
Acer also previously released the AOD255, which dual booted Windows XP and Android.
As someone that owns three netbooks and notebooks with dual-boots, I see the appeal for Acer and others to focus on Windows-Android dual boot systems. Android has exploded in popularity on mobile phones, but still hasn't gained mainstream attention on netbooks. The use of dual boot configurations on netbooks and tablets in the future shows that there is room for many OS players in the market, even on the same device.
