Android, which is Linux based and runs on ARM processors was originally designed for smartphones. Many commentators think that it could be ideally suited also to netbooks.

Since ARM processors are seemingly cheaper than Intel ones, and Android cheaper than Microsoft’s operating systems, prices could really be driven down further, making netbooks attractive to even more people.

Microsoft and Intel may have good reason to be concerned if HP, a long time partner of both, really did move in this direction. If well accepted by cusstomers, many other netbook makers may want to follow suit.