Windows 10 Deadline Boosts Mac Sales

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Windows 10 EOL & Windows 11 Requirements

  • Core frustration is not that Windows 10 is old, but that capable hardware (e.g. mid‑late 2010s gaming rigs) is blocked from Windows 11 by TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and CPU whitelists.
  • Critics call these requirements arbitrary and “planned obsolescence,” especially since simple hacks can bypass checks and run Windows 11 fine.
  • Defenders argue a ~10‑year support window is reasonable, TPM 2.0 is likely worth enforcing for security, and most hardware from the last decade qualifies.
  • Some propose LTSC/IoT editions or ESU as temporary mitigations, but note licensing, legality, and compatibility issues.

Windows 11 Experience & Perceived User Hostility

  • Frequent complaints:
    • Ads and constant upsells for Microsoft services and AI (Copilot, Recall).
    • Mandatory Microsoft accounts and OneDrive integration; shrinking room for local, offline use.
    • UI regressions vs. Windows 10 (taskbar limitations, moved/removal of long‑standing options).
    • Start menu and parts of the shell implemented with web tech and feeling slow or janky.
    • General sense that Windows is now a cloud/ads front‑end rather than a product you own.
  • Others report Win11 as “fine” or slightly better than 10 day‑to‑day, and see most resistance as dislike of change.

Mac Adoption & Apple Comparisons

  • Several users say Windows 10 EOL/prodding was the trigger to finally switch to Mac (including older, non‑technical users).
  • Macs are framed as:
    • The “only credible choice” if you won’t run Linux and can afford it.
    • Very strong on price/performance with Apple Silicon, especially for battery life and on‑device AI.
  • But Apple is criticized for:
    • Shorter/macOS‑specific support windows on some Mac models.
    • Buggier recent macOS releases (especially Tahoe) and UX glitches (Spaces/desktop animations, app‑switch timing).
    • Ongoing deprecations and a sense of rushed engineering.

Environment, Regulation & E‑Waste

  • Many view the Windows 11 cutoff as a massive e‑waste driver: still‑capable machines pushed toward landfill for policy, not technical, reasons.
  • Commenters note protests and advocacy helped make Windows 10 ESU updates free (for now) for EU consumers, but only for a limited period.

Linux as an Escape Valve

  • Some see 2025 as Linux’s best shot yet: modern distros that “just work,” excellent gaming via Proton (except kernel anti‑cheat titles), and no ads/telemetry by default.
  • Others emphasize persistent rough edges: laptop suspend/battery issues, driver quirks, UEFI/dual‑boot pain, video tearing, and the time cost of troubleshooting.
  • There’s a meta‑discussion that the classic FOSS/Linux activist demographic is aging and has struggled to attract and retain younger users.

Enterprise & Market Dynamics

  • Several argue the more accurate framing is “Windows 10 deadline accelerates fleet renewals,” with both PCs and Macs up; Windows 11 installations rise alongside Mac share.
  • Some enterprises now offer both Dell/PC and Mac as standard options, and a fraction of refreshes are used to switch platforms.
  • Intel is seen as both benefiting from overall refreshes and potentially unhappy about a growing share of ARM‑based Macs in corporate fleets.