Linux

53724 readers

847 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 6 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

224

Lenovo Cuts the Windows Tax and offers Cheaper Laptops with Linux Pre-installed (news.itsfoss.com)

submitted 5 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

34 comments fedilink hide all child comments

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 32 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (2 children)

in brazil, we used to have a law forcing this to be a thing. back in the laptop days, it used to be reasonably common for people to buy one without with linux, and pirate windows later to save money. or because it was plain cheaper.

it turns out brazil fomented a big userbase for linux for a while there. free market my ass, microsoft is an oligopoly. if this ever gets widespread i'm pretty sure adoption will grow for the simple fact people will at least get to fucking try it. microsoft wouldnt take it kindly though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

oligopoly

That's a way to misspell monopoly, alright.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

An oligopoly is a market in which pricing control lies in the hands of a few sellers. As a result of their significant market power, firms in oligopolistic markets can influence prices through manipulating the supply function.

I'm considering Macs and Chromebooks to be competitors. Maybe they aren't since those systems are very locked down, but eh, still shitty and not much practical difference IMO.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Fair. Although, I consider Microsoft's market "Most laptops" since Apple kind of does its own thing and Chromebooks are ultra-low end laptops. Thus Microsoft gets ~95% of the market for themselves.

Personally, I'd say that's a clear case of monopoly since MS controls this entire segment of "non-Apple, non-ultra low power laptop, PCs", but you're right - there are other players. The thing is, they have relatively tiny niches in which they thrive and in fact pose no threat to the monopolist.

But I now I see how you see it as an oligopoly, which is quite valid.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Used to have? Not anymore?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

i wanted to say we still do but im not sure. its been a while since i shopped for laptops.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Wouldn't be surprised if Bolsonaro had gotten pocketed a kickback from MS to quietly remove that law's teeth.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

i checked the brazilian dell website and they offer ubuntu as a choice. i'm not sure if they are doing it by their own choice or by force of law though.

bolsonaro gutting this law wouldnt surprise me, but i don't see it as relevant enough (at least right now) for them to even bother glossing over this tbh.