The reason for this phenomenon lies in the operating system. The first releases of those best best netbooks had Linux pre-installed in them. Since the makers didn’t have to pay for license fees, they were able to chop off what could have easily been a hundred dollars. That’s not even counting pre-installed MS Office and a few others. With them, these devices would have been priced at least a couple of a hundred more.

Although most of the mini-laptops out there now have Windows installed in them, the prices haven’t changed much, if at all. That’s because Microsoft was forced to sell their installations at prices much lower than they used to be. And since people are now aware that there can be cheaper alternatives in case Microsoft raises its prices again, you can expect those prices to stay low.

Unless of course Microsoft wants to lose the same market share Linux temporarily captured when the mini-laptops were first introduced. Here’s one good reason why Bill Gates won’t dare to even think of doing that – because the next time they lose the market share, they might not be able to regain it once more. How so? Because there’s one equally big name that has entered into the picture by way of Linux – Google. The dominant player in the Web has slowly entered the hot new market of best netbook through a Linux-based operating system called Android. It’s practically the same operating system that’s powering the highly acclaimed G1 or Google Phone.

With Google in the picture, Microsoft would be hard-pressed into maintaining the prices it has allowed laptop users to enjoy. Unlike before when it had only to face a ragtag Linux community, Windows now is going to be pitted against an operating system backed by a company who rules the Web – the environment that these mini-laptops were made for. Coupled that with how much savings people could get when buying best netbooks, and Microsoft would be at the mercy of the market.

Thus, it’s time to cheer. The prices of best best netbooks will stay at these low prices for a very long time.