OStatic

ITPro is reporting that System76, a company specializing in building Linux desktop, server and notebook systems saw a 61% revenue increase over the first quarter of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008.

The revenue breakdowns aren't readily available (System76 is privately held, so public earnings reports aren't required), but the figure's significance stretches beyond the bottom line. It obviously suggests impressive growth for the company, and it isn't an unreasonable leap to imagine that other OEMS focusing on Linux-powered machines are seeing some degree of growth as well. The recession undoubtedly plays a role in this growth. But how much does it factor in really?

I like hardware. When I say this, I don't mean gadgets (although I don't turn those away either), I mean hardware. I like to build desktops, from chassis to power supply to motherboard to peripheral cards. I like desktops because I feel I have control over what goes in them, as well as what I run on them. They're easy to upgrade -- and they seem far more durable than their lap-sized peers. I understand this is in no small part due to desktops not being portable.

I made a vow a few years back I would never use a laptop as my primary machine. This was before the advent of solid state disks and netbooks. But because portability has its appeal, Linux is my operating system of choice, and because it fit both the hardware and gadget criteria, I picked up an EeePC a year ago. It works well as a quick way to get online and do basic tasks. Who needs a full-sized notebook?

I do. I've found I need to break my vow, even, and use it as my primary work machine. It needs to run Linux, and what's more -- it needs to be pre-installed. Fortunately, I have options.