Why computers are ridiculous now

I agree with the general thrust of this article. You should be able to use a computer you buy until it physically stops working, not just until the hardware isn’t supported by the new OS.

But I can’t agree at all that Linux is only useful as a server. When my old MacBook Air died, I switched to a Dell XPS with preinstalled Ubuntu. It works like a dream. The hardware is all supported and I can do anything I could do on my Mac. I just installed a new battery and hopefully it has another 6 years left in it.

The thing is. I’m a somewhat technically competent Artsy. I’m no engineer or CS specialist. Linux can work fine as a daily OS if it is supported. Dells new Ubuntu is $1800 which is ridiculous, but there is no reason why they couldn’t bring the price down. And of course there are Linux standalone manufacturers.

It might not be the year of the Linux desktop but not because Linux isn’t a perfectly viable OS for you and your mum and your technically phobic uncle. Whatever is stopping wider use, it’s not the underlying state of the software or hardware.