Gross oversimplification. The Unix workstations were by and large simply a great deal more expensive, and there weren't any compelling options on x86 other tha

Gross oversimplification. The Unix workstations were by and large simply a great deal more expensive, and there weren't any compelling options on x86 other than Windows, DOS, maybe OS/2, and a few other clones. It was pretty much pure business--the technical merits don't enter into it. That said, Microsoft took on a heroic burden to attempt backwards-compatibility. If you want a vindication of the Unix philosophy, look at the server space.