4 ms·

Maybe Linux would have gained more traction if OEMs were shipping it? But instead they had to pay for a Windows license anyways so may as well ship that... And

Maybe Linux would have gained more traction if OEMs were shipping it? But instead they had to pay for a Windows license anyways so may as well ship that... And had it shipped on OEM machines that might have attracted more third party devs too. And they could have sold crapware if they wanted as well. It's impossible to say for certain that MS's policies had no impact on the desktop computer space. As for 2, well that depends how hard is it to get a browser? Can I just open a store or repo and grab one or do I have to sneakernet it on there? I don't think it has to be a bad experience to have a barebones system if done right.

scarface74 4y ago
Since the 90s, platforms really didn’t have a chance that didn’t run Microsoft Office and Adobe. Remember that MS was on stage with Apple when the first Mac was introduced. Vertical market apps are going to target the computer with the largest market share. You’re going to be hard pressed to tell your local dentist office they need to run Linux to run the equivalent of their VB based software. Most people already complain when their first launch experience requires them to update their OS - mostly consoles. I can’t imagine telling my mom, to download a browser, email client, dialer, messaging app, calendar, contacts software, notes app, etc.