My compadre, David Coursey, doubts that Google will actually be partnering with any hardware vendor to deliver Google Android to users as a desktop Linux. Actually, David, I’m sticking with that prediction.
Google will start rolling out its Linux desktop on netbooks. The company will begin there because netbooks are the only division of PC sales that’s actually still growing.
Once they’ve established a beach-head there, they’ll move into laptops and desktops. Keep in mind though that, as Michael Horowitz points out, that you can actually use a cheap netbook as a desktop replacement.
Google’s goal? To set up a cloud-based set of Windows file-compatible applications that will work hand-in-glove with Google Linux-powered desktops. Google already has the applications: Google Docs, GMail, Google Calendar, etc. etc. Now, just add an operating system where they, and not the boys from Redmond, call the shots, and they’re in business.