A few weeks ago, I wrote about my search for an Ubuntu netbook.  I finally made a decision and received the new machine this week.  Read on for the details.

For a long time, Ubuntu was the only big-name Linux distribution with a specially tailored netbook version.  That changed recently with the announcement of Fedora Mini, which stands poised to compete with Ubuntu Netbook Remix on Linux-based netbooks and similar devices.  Here are some thoughts on what this development means for Ubuntu and Canonical’s netbook strategy, and Linux netbooks in general.

Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth announced objectives for Ubuntu 10.04, a.k.a “Lucid Lynx,” to attendees of the Atlanta Linux Fest (more conference coverage) last week.  Here’s a look at the major points highlighted by Shuttleworth, and what they mean for the future of Ubuntu.

You’ve heard of Smart Phones and Netbooks. Now, get ready for Smartbooks — mobile 3G wireless devices that appear to be slightly larger than the iPhone. Qualcomm is rallying hardware partners (OEMs, original equipment manufacturers) to introduce Smartbooks sometime in Q3 or Q4 2009. And here’s the twist: Qualcomm is hiring Ubuntu talent to help drive the project forward.

Rumor has it that Microsoft has arbitrarily limited its definition of “netbook” to machines with screens smaller than 10.2 inches.  This move is presumably intended to force more consumers to pay for the full version of Windows 7, rather than buying the less expensive (and less usable) “Starter” or “Home Basic” editions.  But this strategy could backfire by driving sales of Linux-based netbooks, leaving Microsoft out in the cold.

In September 2008, MSPmentor (WorksWithU’s sister site)  predicted broadband providers eventually would offer Ubuntu netbooks for free with monthly broadband service contracts. Here’s some new evidence that we’re marching in that direction.

A Wisconsin woman recently bought a computer from Dell with Ubuntu pre-installed and was shocked and angry to discover that Windows and Microsoft Office were no where to be found on her new machine.  A few months ago, we were told returns of Linux netbooks were astonishingly high, due to confusion among consumers who expected their computers to ship with Windows.

The Economist published an article recently about netbooks, the small and cheap laptops that may well prove central to bridging the gap between geeky Linux users and the masses.  While it doesn’t say anything very original, the recommendations it makes–and the audience of professionals that’s likely to read them–are noteworthy in their own right.

I will be attending OSCON (Open Source Conference) in Portland, Oregon, this week. I plan to blog live from the event on July 22 and 23, and I will be attending Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth’s keynote on Tuesday. I’ll be joined by The VAR Guy, a blogger from our sister site. This could/should be a big week for Canonical and the Ubuntu Linux movement.