Editing Netbook (section)

===Other===
{{See also|Comparison of netbook-oriented Linux distributions}}

Netbooks have sparked the development of several Linux variants or completely new distributions, which are optimized for small screen use and the limited processing power of the Atom or ARM processors which typically power netbooks. Examples include [[Ubuntu Netbook Edition]], [[EasyPeasy]], [[Joli OS]] and [[MeeGo]]. Both Joli OS and MeeGo purport to be "social oriented" or social networking operating systems rather than traditional "office work production" operating systems. Netbook users can also install other UNIX-based operating systems such as [[FreeBSD]], [[NetBSD]], [[OpenBSD]], and [[Darwin (operating system)|Darwin]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.netbsd.org/gallery/in-Action/ | title = See NetBSD in Action | access-date = January 22, 2014 | author = NetBSD Foundation | date = July 7, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120601/http://www.netbsd.org/gallery/in-Action/ | archive-date = August 26, 2014 | url-status = dead}}</ref>

Since 2010, major netbook manufacturers no longer install or support Linux in the United States. The reason for this change of stance is unclear, although it coincides with the availability of a 'netbook' version of Windows XP, and a later Windows 7 Starter and a strong marketing push for the adoption of this OS in the netbook market. However, companies targeting niche markets, such as System76 and ZaReason, continue to pre-install Linux on the devices they sell.

The [[Cloud (operating system)|Cloud]] operating system attempted to capitalize on the minimalist aspect of netbooks.  The user interface was limited to a browser application only.

[[Mac OS X]] has been demonstrated running on various netbooks as a result of the [[OSx86]] project,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/12/17/osx-netbook-compatib.html |title=Mac OS X Netbook Compatibility Chart (Updated)}}</ref> although this is in violation of the operating system's [[end-user license agreement]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/09/it-lives-gadget.html |title=It Lives! Gadget Lab's Netbook Running OS X Leopard|magazine=Wired |last1=Sorrel |first1=Charlie }}</ref> Apple has complained to sites hosting information on how to install OS X onto non-Apple hardware (including ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' and [[YouTube]]) who have reacted and removed content in response.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2008/12/gadget-lab-vide-4/ |title=Gadget Lab Video: Running OS X on a Netbook|magazine=Wired |last1=Chen |first1=Brian X. }}</ref> One article nicknamed a netbook running OS X a "[[Hackintosh]]."