4 ms·

I think a big part of the lack of Linux (desktop) adoption is the DIY/ hobbyist vibe that it continues to put off. The consensus among the Linux community is th

by mlacks 7y ago

I think a big part of the lack of Linux (desktop) adoption is the DIY/ hobbyist vibe that it continues to put off. The consensus among the Linux community is that for the regular non-techie consumer, all they need is a web browser and an office suite. That’s missing a key part of the equation: Linux desktops simply aren’t available in regular stores for people to see. Sony has a similar issue with their smartphone division. For whatever reason, they are no longer displaying their products in cell phone carrier stores in the US. The consumer doesn’t even have the chance to think about a Sony product before making the commitment to a competitor, forming a good relationship with that manufacturer, and repeating the cycle to avoid change. Why aren’t Linux laptops in best buy or the military department stores?

tapland 7y ago
Every now and then a system with Ubuntu installed makes it to retail shelves. I dubt they sell well since you need something really special (like the very nice build quality on the old aluminium MacBook, with most consumers knowing or seeing someine able to use them) to consider the jump.
- type0 7y ago
  Yeah, and if they do sell any amount, someone inevitably complains https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qj8p-PEwbI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qj8p-PEwbI
sansnomme 7y ago
It worked out pretty well for Chromebooks. Or perhaps that's because of the sales and brand power of its parent company.
abathur 7y ago
(for context, long time windows user--but not for the past ~22 months. Started using macos in 2013. When my desktop died in early 2018, I rebuilt with nixos.) Maybe this shades into what you mean by diy, but I don't think finding one is the biggest issue--it's the papercuts. More precisely, I don't think many of us using it daily can in good conscience recommend it to anyone we suspect can't handle the papercuts without our help.
enobrev 7y ago
I truly wish they were. I buy a new laptop every 3-5 years. I always check for Ubuntu pre-installed - or any distro, really, but unfortunately that's always on the "Developer Series" on a single model that's less sleek than the others for 3-4 times my budget. I can never seem to find a sub $1k laptop with Ubuntu on it in a store (online or brick). It blows my mind that I have to pay a lot more money for a computer with a mature free OS on it.

by mlacks 7y ago

tapland 7y ago

Every now and then a system with Ubuntu installed makes it to retail shelves. I dubt they sell well since you need something really special (like the very nice build quality on the old aluminium MacBook, with most consumers knowing or seeing someine able to use them) to consider the jump.

type0 7y ago
Yeah, and if they do sell any amount, someone inevitably complains https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qj8p-PEwbI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qj8p-PEwbI

sansnomme 7y ago

It worked out pretty well for Chromebooks. Or perhaps that's because of the sales and brand power of its parent company.

abathur 7y ago

(for context, long time windows user--but not for the past ~22 months. Started using macos in 2013. When my desktop died in early 2018, I rebuilt with nixos.) Maybe this shades into what you mean by diy, but I don't think finding one is the biggest issue--it's the papercuts. More precisely, I don't think many of us using it daily can in good conscience recommend it to anyone we suspect can't handle the papercuts without our help.

enobrev 7y ago

I truly wish they were. I buy a new laptop every 3-5 years. I always check for Ubuntu pre-installed - or any distro, really, but unfortunately that's always on the "Developer Series" on a single model that's less sleek than the others for 3-4 times my budget. I can never seem to find a sub $1k laptop with Ubuntu on it in a store (online or brick). It blows my mind that I have to pay a lot more money for a computer with a mature free OS on it.