[alkonaut]

> Why then do Windows 10 laptops get sold with HDDs?

Excellent question. These machines should do better with Win7 but Microsoft doesn't want to sell it.

Microsoft sells windows 10 and Microsoft sells laptops with Windows 10 on an SSD. I doubt (but do correct me if I'm wrong) Microsoft sells any computers with Windows 10 on a mechanical drive.

Various manufacturers sell underpowered computers with Win10 on it, but thats hardly microsofts fault. They do that because otherwise they can't hit the lowest price segments.

What IS Microsoft's fault:

1)Microsofts "hardware requirements" only say what's necessary to use it, not what's needed for a decent experience.

2) not selling Win7 or making newer versions of windows work with older hardware.

[thriftwy]

> they can't hit the lowest price segments

That's a lie right here because the laptop in question not low end, definitely middle one.

> Various manufacturers sell underpowered computers with Win10

That was always part of Microsoft deal. You get your computer from a manufacturer other than MS and they still have to deliver experience, and they've failed that one.

[alkonaut]

A recent middle range laptop didn't have an SSD? Obviously it might be a config option so a buyer might opt for a better gpu instead at the same price for example, but it still makes me a bit upset it's even possible to get a hdd if the laptop isn't low budget.

[vidarh]

So in other words we need to buy substantially more expensive computers to get a usable experience with Windows vs. Linux. On top of the Windows license.

You'll note that with respect to my sons laptop, Linux ran just fine on his much older, slower laptop.

Says it all, really.

[alkonaut]

> So in other words we need to buy substantially more expensive computers to get a usable experience with Windows vs. Linux.

Well, "Linux" is much broader than a specific version of windows (Windows 10). But yes, for most kinds of linux setup (distro, window managers etc) I'd say the bare OS definitely needs less resources on Linux than on Windows.

I do find that apart from the storage issues, Win10 actually runs about as lean (on cpu and mem) as Win7. The problem with consumer hardware such as cheap or midrange laptops is usually that it's infested with crapware from the start, something I also blame microsoft for, not manufacturers.

The OEM agreeements microsoft do with laptop manufacturers should explicitly ban them from installing any crapware such as antivirus trial versions, poorly written hardware apps and similar. I realize the $400 price of a cheap laptop sometimes includes a big rebate due to the software bundles - but ms ought to put a stop to it. Has to be damaging to their brand.