Linux’s strong presence in the netbook market has been under threat for some time, moreso since Acer revealed in December that sales of Windows machines are outnumbering sales of Linux machines by more than 9 to 1.

In another sign that Linux’s star my be fading, HP has decided to drop Linux as an operating system for its latest range of netbooks in the UK. Computer Weekly is reporting that while Linux is being offered as an option for HP’s new Mini 1000 netbook series in the United States and other countries, the UK is getting Windows-only machines.

HP said XP was chosen to address the needs of the UK market and more worryingly for Linux fans, the company said that Linux won’t be offered in various other European markets either.