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This is over simplifying matters. The technologies used to be optional, but in many cases is now mandatory to use an OS.

Windows 11 mandates a TPM, for example - Windows 10 did not and works fine on any system without. There has been a huge amount of discussion here and elsewhere about the Windows 11 mandatory security changes, which themselves are similar to the changes Apple have made to how their own systems boot over the years.

I don’t mean to oversimplify, but you’re also conflating “PC” with “windows”. Linux and BSD are viable alternatives as well, in my opinion.

Do they lack the user land polish of windows? Sure!

But really at the end of the day you’re storing files and opening applications, and the eternal web browser. (Of which, you have 2 engine choices!)

Say that again when the impending doom of remote attestation forces you to use a single (and constantly changing) version of Windows in order to interact with any mainstream services.

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