I ran across this small blog post, and it brings up a good topic. The author has a pretty good hypothesis on the reasons.
What do you think?
Do you agree with the author?
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He says that laziness is a factor in not using Linux, because of the existence of âeasierâ options.
I think âfearâ is also involved.
I think âgo with the crowdâ is involved
I think âlack of educationâ makes it difficult for some people.
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If you take telephones and tablets and chromebooks out of the equation or stop thinking of them as linux based systems.
Its actually quite hard to buy a non windows computer except for apple.
Go into any major high street computer supplier and there just is no alternatives offered.
Then you have schools insisting on windows and office as the other post on this site.
My difficulty is clients have never heard of linux or life outside of microsoft. Although more images appear with linux desktops there are just so many, even between us we use different versions.
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Agree. There are none in our local stores, they are full of Microsoft and Apple devices.
I have obtained Linux computers 3 ways
- home built from scraps
- custom built
- buy a refurbished Win box and convert it to Linux.
There are Linux computer suppliers with websites in Australia, but they are expensive.
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It is possible to order from amazon but limited.
Also from some makes hp dell etc. But as you noted the price is very high compared to a similar windows box. For a end user they dont see the gain, if they were offered without microsoft licence of around 100 euros then it would start to be more attractive.
I hesitate to install linux on a new box in case it fails and needs to be repaired or go back to the supplier
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And the most obvious, is if a Windows PC is running, with no problem, why should one try Linux?
One thing for sure, is that life can be lived, without either Windows or Linux, but the prominent, OS, for a personal PC is Windows.
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For a long time the prominent motor cars in Australia were GM or Ford⌠but that did not stop some people buying a Mercedes.
Linux only appeals to a small proportion of the population.
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appeals? In my case it was more like âLinux was the only thing I could think ofâ to keep using an older PC, that should be mothballed!!!
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Look harder at the âignoranceâ and âfollow the crowdâ and âlowest common denominatorâ factors. Most people make choices that are least likely to cause raised eyebrows in their social circles. How else can one explain the spreading stain that is Donald Trump? Or Windows? Or Apple?
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So how does Linux become âthe crowdâ.
It got there with phones⌠why not with PCâs
Maybe having google backing it helped with Android.?
Could we get google to back a PC Linux?
The âAndroid PCâ is not an impossible combination and it might be good enough to push Windows out of PCâs like it did with phones.
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If we assume someone even considers what to get rather than just buy what is available and everyone else is buying, the main point should be the software you are running on the computer.
For a huge percentage of home users, itâs a browser and some office suite applications. Linux certainly can fulfill that need. Maybe there is a fear that at some point they will want to run something that isnât available on Linux.
Games was a problem for a long time, but that is much better now.
Maybe a fear of support in the future could be a problem. Thatâs if they even think about that.
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Android can fill all those needs. Why go to a full linux?
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Android can do those things, but for me, I prefer a more full-sized device. Either a desktop or laptop. Even my 8" tablet is a bit smaller than Iâd like for anything except the most casual browsing and reading an e-book. I do like the tablet for e-books.
My main point was that the software you use should drive your decision on both the OS and the hardware you run it on. Not the other way around. Donât get a Mac if you just want to surf on a laptop. Itâs overkill on both performance and probably price.
I mentioned this type of thing to one of my brothers. Heâs had a few desktops over the years, all running Windows. The current one is in need of replacement. I asked what he used it for, and it was just as I described, web browsing and office applications. I told him Iâd recommend a new computer when he was ready and then could also reload his old computer with Ubuntu or Pop!_OS.
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Size is another matter. Yes my tablet, which I use a lot, is a 10 in.
What I meant was Android OS on a normal desktop or laptop , adapted to a keyboard and mouse, of course⌠That would be enough for most users wanting web, email and office.
Android has good points⌠updates perfectly, no issues with user installing apps,
networks easily. It would make a good âVolkswagonâ PC
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To be honest, Chromebooks are all most people need. Gaming is another story, solved by consoles.
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I agree with chromebooks, although i dont own one, shame its not sold as linux chromebook !
The difficulty with it is you need to be connected to use it.
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That is partly true of Android tablet too, because, while you can use it offline, most of the things it us used for require a connection⌠I only use mine at home where there is a safe connection.
You can get tablets with a builtin phone. I have a friend who uses a 10in tablet as his mobile phone⌠helps with poor eyesight.
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I use both my phone and tablet as tablets, depending where i am and if i can hook up to free internet as i have cut my service contract to the very minimum.
Many in our association use the agendas on line for every activity. But i still prefer pen and paper.
Same for flight tickets, i print them not just leave on my phone, just in case.
Be interesting to see how many people install Linux when their Windows box goes off support next year.
For businesses, Ofice is a big âpreventerâ.
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Lou, are you sure there isnât a Windows 12 or another next step in the wings, just waiting to take over from Windows 11? Micro$oft isnât likely to abandon the market, so you can bet your socks thereâs something coming.
My bet is on thin terminals using subscription softwareâsomething Chromebooks has perfected.
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