On 12 November 2016 at 13:49, Nigel Verity <nigelver...@hotmail.com> wrote: > Whilst I fully understand why a PC, pre-installed with a Linux distro, is no > cheaper than one with Windows
Go on then. Ignoring the misplaced comma, do please explain why. I just want to check. > I do question what is gained by paying a > significant premium. Freedom? > A Linux enthusiast will presumably be both prepared and > able to install a distro on any piece of kit that can run it, To quote Dr Ben Goldacre, who used this as a book title... I think you'll find it's a little more complicated than that. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Think-Youll-Find-More-Complicated/dp/0007462484/?tag=bs0b-21 For instance, generic PCs can come with firmware or hardware that is only Windows-compatible, not Linux-compatible. For example: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/10/28/lenovo_downward_dogs_with_yoga_bios_update_supporting_linux_installs/ So it might be worth paying a premium for something that you know *will* work. For instance: https://puri.sm/ > the newbie > will probably start with a PC he/she already owns, Perhaps because they can't buy Linux hardware. They have no choice. > and the non-techie is > unlikely to be interested to the extent of paying over the odds. And those are people we need to convert, not ignore. > I've never been able to persuade any non-Linux user to install Ubuntu or any > other distro on a brand new machine. However, I've have a fair bit of > success with people owning older PCs, those infested with malware and people > who are simply sick of Windows. I believe they will all stay with Linux when > they replace their kit, but will probably ask me to do the installation > rather than pay extra for a pre-configured PC. Depends on the marketing, I think. > From my experience, encouraging people to use free software is relatively > easy. I know plenty who have gone over to LibreOffice, GIMP etc, but on > Windows. Cost (absence of) is the principle motivation. When it comes to the > operating system itself, the cost of Windows on a new machine doesn't really > feature - lots of people assume it is free of charge anyway. True. And effectively, often, it is. I live in Central Europe now, and even today, OS and app piracy remains rife. > They will pay > extra for a Mac because it is somehow perceived to be better - the triumph > of hype and marketing. That sounds like bigotry and lack of experience speaking, to be frank. > This leaves Linux in a sort of limbo. If a computer > that comes with Linux pre-installed is not cheaper than a Windows PC, then > it's hard to see any other incentive. Immunity from malware, spyware etc.? Guaranteed openness, freedom, security? Performance? There are many possible reasons, if sold correctly. -- Liam Proven • Profile: http://lproven.livejournal.com/profile Email: lpro...@cix.co.uk • GMail/Twitter/Facebook/Flickr: lproven Skype/MSN: lpro...@hotmail.com • LinkedIn/AIM/Yahoo: liamproven Cell/Mobiles: +44 7939-087884 (UK) • +420 702 829 053 (ČR) -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/