Asus innovation taking Linux into the cloud

The question is will including the minimalist cut-down version of Linux called Splashtop on a million motherboards a month finally bring on the Linux desktop age or has it made the desktop redundant?

Splashtop isn't a full fledged desktop replacement. It is a nice add on, but it has limited capabilities (no access to hard disks, no diagnostic utilities). I wouldn't reject a motherboard with it, but, for me, it can't replace a full Linux distribution. Maybe it can be expanded in the future, but right now it is a novelty with some cool new uses.

It won't get Linux on the desktop (it isn't a desktop environment) and it won't replace the desktop, because Firefox + Skype can't seriously be considered a contender to replace a full OS + applications. No matter how nice web applications are, they (still) lack the oomph of the offline equivalents.

Hm, could it have access to disks without the full POST/boot process? I can imagine that it could be a great recovery tool...

I dunno...if it has the capability to store firefox settings and bookmarks, it probably could be a full replacement for some people... You know, those people who's complete use of a computer is browsing the net and using webmail...

I do so much of my work in the browser, it'd be a great thing.

right ... but they will sell out on this just like they sold out on the eeepc ... if M$ created a light embedded IE7/XP for them they would kick linux to the curb again

I'd like to say it couldn't happen, but it probably could.

The notion of a usable system with no OS installed, however, is extremely enticing.

Yeah, exactly as I was thinking. Nice mini-itx or some such mobo in a small case, some ram, kb/mouse/monitor, maybe speakers. Nice little web console.