Linux desktops not taking off: IDC

Linux has not taken off on the desktop, according to an IDC study of the local whitebox PC market.

"While Linux has solid uptake in the server environment, the results from both users and assemblers has shown that Linux has clearly not taken off in the local desktop and notebook PC operating system environments," said Michael Sager, market analyst for PC hardware at IDC.

IDC reported similar findings across all three surveyed groups: consumers, SMBs and whitebox assemblers.

Only 1.1 percent of SMBs surveyed said Linux was the planned operating system for their next whitebox purchase. Whitebox assemblers only expected 1.1 percent of product sold in 2005 to be shipped with Linux.

Of the consumer respondents, 1.7 percent chose Linux for their branded notebook PC.

"While it may be true that Linux is more accessible than in years past, the evidence clearly states that its presence in the desktop/notebook PC operating system environment is very low," Sager said in a statement.

Demand was unlikely to change significantly in the near future, he added.

Sager said the client device market, which includes server-centric environments and thin client devices, could hold more potential for Linux.