People keep flocking to Linux, not just to escape Windows

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Linux market share & statistics

  • Several commenters dispute the “11% desktop share” framing, calling it clickbait.
  • Critiques:
    • Treating all “unknown” user agents as Linux is unjustified; they could be automation, Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS.
    • ChromeOS being lumped in as “Linux desktop” is seen as misleading for this context.
  • Others note that stats based on Google Analytics likely under-count Linux because many Linux users block GA via adblockers; actual share may be somewhat higher than reported 5.8%, but by an unclear margin.

What counts as a “Linux desktop”? (ChromeOS debate)

  • One side: Chromebooks are “literally Linux” and dev mode gives root, so they qualify as Linux desktops.
  • Counterpoint: ChromeOS (like Android) uses the Linux kernel but is a locked-down, proprietary platform, not what people mean by a general-purpose Linux desktop.
  • Some mention Google’s Fuchsia and “Aluminum” projects as possible OS shifts for ChromeOS/Android, but their real direction is described as unclear.

Motivations for leaving Windows/macOS

  • Strong dissatisfaction with Windows:
    • Ads, telemetry, pushy AI (“agentic OS”), forced updates, restarts, and perceived instability.
    • Crapware on consumer PCs makes them “barely usable”; some refuse to support family unless they switch.
  • Mixed feelings about Apple:
    • Praised for hardware and comparatively better privacy stance.
    • Criticized for AI push and DRM lock‑in; macOS is still proprietary and not fully trusted.
  • Digital sovereignty concerns:
    • Some organizations and countries are wary of dependence on US‑controlled cloud/OS vendors, likening it to distrust of Chinese telecom gear.

User experience: where Linux shines & lags

  • Positive reports:
    • Modern KDE (often on Fedora, Mint, Arch/Cachy, Bazzite) feels as polished or better than Windows, with powerful configuration and window rules.
    • Many anecdotes of “everything just worked”: printers, Steam, basic office, web, and dev tools.
  • Weak spots repeatedly cited:
    • Desktop accessibility (screen readers, on-screen keyboards, audio routing) is far behind Windows/macOS.
    • File pickers/file managers: Windows Explorer and its integrated chooser are seen as much more capable; GTK’s picker is especially disliked.
    • Remote desktop: RDP is widely considered superior to VNC; some point to alternative RDP implementations and game‑streaming tools but concede complexity.
    • HiDPI/multi‑monitor scaling and Wayland: improving but not uniformly “just works” across DEs.

Hardware, gaming, and applications

  • Hardware:
    • Desire for “someone’s job” to keep Linux working on a given machine leads people to Steam machines, Framework, ThinkPads, System76, Tuxedo, etc.
    • Open source gives you the option to fix drivers, but many lack time/skills; vendor clarity on Linux support is requested.
  • Gaming:
    • Proton and Steam Deck make most libraries playable for some; others still dual‑boot for anti‑cheat or Nvidia issues.
    • Crossover/Wine on macOS is seen as viable but generally weaker than Linux+Proton.
  • Apps & media:
    • DRM: many video services restrict Linux or only offer low quality due to trust/HDCP concerns.
    • Video editing remains a major blocker for some:
      • DaVinci Resolve on Linux has codec limitations (H.264/AAC) that force awkward re‑encode workflows.
      • Kdenlive’s text tools are described as painful; alternatives like Shotcut, Lightworks, Blender VSE, and Reaper are suggested with mixed confidence.
    • Photo editing: some report Darktable and similar tools are now good enough to drop Lightroom; others strongly disagree and keep a Windows dual-boot.

Adoption patterns, culture, and ecosystem concerns

  • Several long‑time “year of the Linux desktop” skeptics report that they now rarely boot Windows except for specific games, arguing that Windows got worse more than Linux got radically better.
  • Non‑technical and blue‑collar users are reported using Linux pragmatically, not ideologically, often guided by online communities.
  • Some worry a dominant, monetized “Linux” vendor would just recreate Windows; others note that paid, FOSS‑based distros already exist.
  • Cultural friction appears:
    • Gatekeeping and “learn the CLI or go away” attitudes are called out as harmful to adoption.
    • Others insist Linux shouldn’t be judged “immature” just because it isn’t a Windows clone.