Microsoft has Copilot Plus PCs loaded with AI, and rumors are that Apple is all in on AI, too, but if you don't want AI in everything you do, there is another option: Linux.
But no one is using Linux desktop computers in a business environment because corporate IT departments don’t want to have to deal with the nightmare that is installing packages every 5 minutes.
Linux is fine if you’re into computers and like fiddling around, but if you just need the damn thing to work you don’t want to mess with Linux. It doesn’t “just work”.
I really don’t care to be the guy that’s like, oh, you criticized Linux, I’ll point out how wrong you are, but packages? If the software you want to install is packaged, then it’s easier to install than on Windows. You just open up the app store UI and click on “Install”. I also have no idea why you’d need to install packages every 5 minutes.
I’d say the most prevalent issue people have with Linux, is that they need/want specific software that only runs on Windows.
2nd this. I just spent an hour redeploying a whole appstack for my internal customer because someone on their team decided to remove some core files in /etc. we have a zero touch policy, the guy knew it, still messed with servers and proceeded to deny he did anything… even with logs showing his actions. No way would I ever want to support desktops for the average user.
I think, there’s just too few potential customers.
Linux works excellently for techies, but those don’t need help.
It works great for the many people that just browse the internet, but Windows or their phone/tablet is also fine for that.
Well, and then there’s a chunk of people that aren’t techie enough to install an OS, which would still have an interest in an improved OS, but those will then also often use some specialty software which only runs on Windows.
So why don’t people have a business installing and administering linux for people?
They do. They are called servers.
But no one is using Linux desktop computers in a business environment because corporate IT departments don’t want to have to deal with the nightmare that is installing packages every 5 minutes.
Linux is fine if you’re into computers and like fiddling around, but if you just need the damn thing to work you don’t want to mess with Linux. It doesn’t “just work”.
I think immutable distros for business will perfectly fit this niche.
I really don’t care to be the guy that’s like, oh, you criticized Linux, I’ll point out how wrong you are, but packages? If the software you want to install is packaged, then it’s easier to install than on Windows. You just open up the app store UI and click on “Install”. I also have no idea why you’d need to install packages every 5 minutes.
I’d say the most prevalent issue people have with Linux, is that they need/want specific software that only runs on Windows.
2nd this. I just spent an hour redeploying a whole appstack for my internal customer because someone on their team decided to remove some core files in /etc. we have a zero touch policy, the guy knew it, still messed with servers and proceeded to deny he did anything… even with logs showing his actions. No way would I ever want to support desktops for the average user.
I think, there’s just too few potential customers.
Linux works excellently for techies, but those don’t need help.
It works great for the many people that just browse the internet, but Windows or their phone/tablet is also fine for that.
Well, and then there’s a chunk of people that aren’t techie enough to install an OS, which would still have an interest in an improved OS, but those will then also often use some specialty software which only runs on Windows.