I think there is still a huge install base of Windows machines in POS environments, especially in small to medium businesses. In most of those settings (read:

I think there is still a huge install base of Windows machines in POS environments, especially in small to medium businesses. In most of those settings (read: no need for remote access) it is per se not worse than deploying Linux unless you have them connected to an open LAN/WLAN and/or the Internet. It sure made sense for a lot of people during the last 15 years for various reasons, occasionally one can even spot a DOS system still being used (now you know why they still sell floppy disks in 2010). Big companies like McDonalds clearly had the resources long ago to go for a different approach but only during the last 5 years or so this has become a more viable option for many small-medium shops. Even though Ubuntu, Google, Wikipedia & Co have "happened" during those Windows POS years we aren't there yet. I suspect mainstream small-medium business will skip this step anyhow: For example I myself am working on a distributed POS solution using a certain set of 2010 state of the art technology (the no-brainer variation: "cloud" back end and administration, newest generation of touch devices as "terminals"). It allows for low on site IT infrastructure and maintenance plus a strong emphasize on UI/UX which thanks to Apple is finally becoming ubiquitously expected.