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The reason people never switched is because Linux (almost) never came installed on desktops. If Windows is installed you use that. If OSX is installed you use

by icc97 10y ago

The reason people never switched is because Linux (almost) never came installed on desktops. If Windows is installed you use that. If OSX is installed you use that. If Android is installed you use that. Still even now compare the number of options available for buying a PC / laptop with Linux on it to one with Windows on it.

shmerl 10y ago
> The reason people never switched is because Linux (almost) never came installed on desktops. Yes, that's exactly my point. Solving that problem is key to improving Linux adoption.
- icc97 10y ago
  Ah, sorry, my bad, too tired. Misread your post.
- icc97 10y ago
  As much as I'm not a fan of some of Dell's dodgy multinational practices, I have respect for them pushing mainstream adoption of pre-installed Ubuntu. I tried to persuade a UK company Novatech that offers computers without an OS to go one step further and offer Linux. They liked the idea, but the support overhead wasn't worth it for them.
  - shmerl 10y ago
    Unfortunately, even Dell don't offer Linux on every model.
    - icc97 10y ago
      No, I think it's basically one model only the XPS 13/15. But still, it's a mainstream supplier offering linux pre-installed.
      - shmerl 10y ago
        Which again doesn't solve the problem described above. Only massive availability can change things.
        progman 10y ago
        If you want massive availability go with Android. If you want personal customization go with classical Linux.
        shmerl 10y ago
        These issues are orthogonal and don't block each other.
  - scholia 10y ago
    > They liked the idea, but the support overhead wasn't worth it for them. The support overhead killed Linux on Asus and Acer netbooks. That and hardware returns from people who found the operating system unusable.... Outside of Apple, PC margins are extremely thin.
    - digi_owl 10y ago
      The only company i recall having trouble with returns were MSI, but then they managed to ship their Wind series with missing drivers for things like the webcam...
      - scholia 10y ago
        When your margins are as thin as they are in the PC industry, even quite a small percentage of returns can devastate your profits.

by icc97 10y ago

shmerl 10y ago

> The reason people never switched is because Linux (almost) never came installed on desktops. Yes, that's exactly my point. Solving that problem is key to improving Linux adoption.

icc97 10y ago
Ah, sorry, my bad, too tired. Misread your post.
icc97 10y ago
As much as I'm not a fan of some of Dell's dodgy multinational practices, I have respect for them pushing mainstream adoption of pre-installed Ubuntu. I tried to persuade a UK company Novatech that offers computers without an OS to go one step further and offer Linux. They liked the idea, but the support overhead wasn't worth it for them.
- shmerl 10y ago
  Unfortunately, even Dell don't offer Linux on every model.
  - icc97 10y ago
    No, I think it's basically one model only the XPS 13/15. But still, it's a mainstream supplier offering linux pre-installed.
    - shmerl 10y ago
      Which again doesn't solve the problem described above. Only massive availability can change things.
      - progman 10y ago
        If you want massive availability go with Android. If you want personal customization go with classical Linux.
        shmerl 10y ago
        These issues are orthogonal and don't block each other.
- scholia 10y ago
  > They liked the idea, but the support overhead wasn't worth it for them. The support overhead killed Linux on Asus and Acer netbooks. That and hardware returns from people who found the operating system unusable.... Outside of Apple, PC margins are extremely thin.
  - digi_owl 10y ago
    The only company i recall having trouble with returns were MSI, but then they managed to ship their Wind series with missing drivers for things like the webcam...
    - scholia 10y ago
      When your margins are as thin as they are in the PC industry, even quite a small percentage of returns can devastate your profits.