Eye-popping
"...our customers told us that they want mobile, small-notebook PCs to go beyond basic Internet activities and deliver premium capabilities such as increased graphics functionality, which lets people play games, view pictures and watch videos with richer, eye-popping quality."
Not sure if the eye-popping was strictly necessary, but Brooks is trying to convey the impression that the demand for increased functionality from netbooks can only be properly addressed by using Windows.
"It's important to remember that these small-notebook PCs weren't designed to replace a full-featured notebook or desktop."
Slightly contradictory message coming after the "eye-popping" one, but a valid point nonetheless. Brooks doesn't want people getting too carried away with netbooks.
"Customers choose Windows because they want the best possible user experience. While many initial small-notebook PCs in the market were Linux-based, they didn't live up to customers' expectations. Customers expected a Linux-based PC to look and function like their Windows-based desktop PC and they were disappointed.
"Windows provides a level of application and device compatibility you simply don't get with Linux. Windows works with everyday programs like Microsoft Office and popular applications like Apple's iTunes and Microsoft's Zune, PC games like "World of Warcraft," and a host of others. It also works with the largest set of printers, digital cameras and other devices. Linux doesn't come close to doing any of these things.
"That may be why return rates of Linux-based netbooks are so high. Partners MSI and Canonical have mentioned to press that return rates on their Linux-based small-notebook PCs are about four times those of Windows-based small-notebook PCs."
Gloves-off time. This is what Microsoft is counting on: that people are willing to pay for the reassurance of using Windows as they overwhelmingly have in the past.
