Seems kinda crazy to me that Windows is still so dominant after all the shitty stuff MS has done.

As someone who semi-recently made the jump (june) to linux, you need a lot of time to do it, even for something that would seem trivial to an experienced user like going to mint. Most people don’t have the time to do something like that. New systems built by curious nerds will probably be where linux gets most of its new users. (so it’s a shame no one can afford to build one)

I’ve installed Windows on thousands of machines and IMO, major Linux distros are usually easier to set up for home use but I say that having used both for a good amount of time, so my opinion is definitely biased compared to someone who doesn’t really use computers.

I would argue though, where Linux really shines is old systems, much like the many that MS chose to drop support for in Windows 11. There’s a pretty decent chance that the bullshit going on with RAM and drives might actually further drive Linux adoption as people try to get more out of their existing machines or old used\refurbished machines that they can actually afford (which Linux runs great on, unlike Windows).

Time will tell though…

It doesn’t really matter which is easier to install because only a very small percentage of people are comfortable with installing an OS of any kind. The vast majority of people just keep whatever OS was pre-installed. 99% of the time that’s Windows or MacOS.

Hopefully 2026 brings some more mainstream options to buy computers with Linux pre-installed. I think that’s unlikely though, other than Steam OS for some handhelds and Valve’s new hardware.

It would be great if Lenovo or Dell or others prominently featured Linux options to try to capitalize on all the Microsoft hate. I know they already sell some Ubuntu options but they aren’t featured or advertised. I suspect they are afraid of pissing off Microsoft.