But I also am not sure how to respond to things like:
> What are you comparing? "A machine designed for windows" vs what? I believe you meant "windows". New hardware on Linux is way easier than Windows. New printer? You connect it and it just works. Wifi dongle? Same. The way you talk about it sounds like 1999 Linux to me.
Except to say that almost always, I am selling machines that came with some version of Windows on them originally, so yes, they're designed for Windows.
> My main reason is this: GNU/Linux is built for the user. You as the user are the master. Windows is built to extract value from people using computers. Sometimes they (Microsoft) decide you're not in charge; for instance when you tell the computer to shut down, and the computer replies with "I'm installing updates, don't shut me down". And maybe it's a laptop. And maybe I'm off to take a train, and I'm about to be late.
> I even read that windows embeds ads. In the OS. How is this remotely acceptable?
You're completely right about all of this. And as an expert user, I have a Linux Mint desktop I use fairly often. I also have worked on my personal Windows machines to lock them down so they can't do most of this.
But as a business owner trying to sell machines to customers, I have to sell them what they want and will be comfortable using. Linux machines do not sell for as high a price, have a higher rate of returns and negative reviews, and are more overhead for me in terms of helping people with them - even after delivering a machine I have rigorously tested.
I can't solve for every problem at once. I am trying to save computers from the wastebin, and get my customers a reliable, inexpensive machine. Also trying to teach them to use Linux is just one too many steps in the end.