I suppose it could just be the vicious cycle of 'no GNU/Linux laptops in stores' -> 'people don't know about GNU/Linux laptops' -> 'there's no demand' -> 'no GNU/Linux laptops in stores'. A problem which can only be solved by people in the know informing the general public (informing the public is always better than merely voting with one's wallet because multiple wallets > one wallet).
They all functioned better (hardware support wise) with Windows than Linux.
I don't buy that it's just an issue of informing the general public.
The products need to be better.
And yes, I'm very familiar with all the anecdotes about how people's relatives have never been happier since they switched them over to Linux.
And that's why you don't see many GNU/Linux offerings around - if there was a real market, corporations would adapt in a heartbeat. For example, Steam Deck is estimated to be sold 4-5M items, Chromebooks upwards from 20M. If there is a market gap where people actually want the thing, it will sell.
Another factor is of course Microsoft's business strategy. They are pushing Windows hardcore, so it would take a lot to disrupt the desktop space. Even now, but it would have been even harder between 2000-2020.
But things feel very different with Windows 11. Microsoft now removes useful features like task bar Quick Launch folders, even though millions of customers used them. Why? Because they 'distract' from the 'Start Menu Experience (tm)' which MSFT now views as a Primary Monetization Surface. Most of the user-visible changes happening in Windows 11 aren't about improving user workflows but instead are focused on increasing MSFT's ability to upsell, cross-promote and drive adoption of monetizable features. This isn't some short-term UX fad that'll pass in a year or two. It's a fundamental shift in the entire Windows business. The purpose of Windows is no longer first and foremost improving the OS to be more useful, powerful, complete, efficient and bug-free. As a user, it felt like there was still some focus on being a state-of-the-art Operating System, that values like technical correctness and orthogonal completeness were at least debated. The priorities now seem to be: 1. Enabling new monetization vectors, 2. Reducing and streamlining the OS to be cheaper to maintain with a smaller, less skilled staff, 3. See #1 and #2.
WarOnPrivacy•3mo ago