[tyleo]

I agree with the criticisms of modern macOS. However, let’s not forget their competitor is Windows. So even if they aren’t going great, it’s not like they have stiff competiton. Thats before even getting into hardware where Microsoft is even further behind.

It’s unfortunate that it’s so hard to disrupt this space.

[hilliardfarmer]

As a Linux user it's hard to understand people using either windows or mac. At this point it's looking more like brainwashing than out of convenience.

[pjmlp]

As someone that bought all paper editions of Linux Journal, PS2 Linux owner, got introduced to UNIX via Xenix, it is a matter of convenience.

People can't buy Linux laptops at Media Market, there are no Linux stores with genies,...

[sharts]

A BSD user would likely have the same sentiment about Linux users.

[moralestapia]

Yeah, like, it's not even that difficult to re-compile your media player in order for it to support a new format you want, like FLAC.

Yes yes, I can already hear the naysayers "it's not that easy". It actually is! Just make sure you have the appropriate GLIBC version and a specific version of either clang or GCC that is compatible (hey it's Linux, you can choose!). Then do the usual ./configure --with-openssl=<CUSTOM_SSL_LIB_BECAUSE_THE_STOCK_ONE_IS_TOO_OLD>, make, make install (remember to use sudo on that one because we write some system files).

Honestly, the whole process took me just two hours from start to finish. Easy peasy.

I'd much rather do that than buying hardware that is massively overpr... oh, you're saying they're cheaper than Linux laptops now? Idk man ... I would still not buy any of that, those are definitely for brainwashed cattle.

[coldtea]

As a long time user of all 3, it's hard to understand why people would use Linux as a main driver, especially if they aren't just programmers, but also dabble in video or music.

[hilliardfarmer]

Because 1 is free and the other 2 cost $$$.

[46493168]

Really? When every thread about linux on a laptop includes comments like “palm rejection doesn’t work but I use an external mouse so I don’t care” and “the laptop gets hot in my backpack because sleep/suspend doesn’t work so I just power it down” you’re still not sure why people are using a windows or a mac?

At this point I’m beginning to suspect that linux users have stockholm syndrome. Or is Tux standing behind you with a gun?

I know, I know, you don’t have any of those problems. You have the Blessed Configuration that has the right tradeoffs for you. But like… most people don’t want to spend waking hours reading Archwiki to figure out why their wifi drops when they move from one room in their house to another…

[em-bee]

most people don't have any of those problems.

what you need to consider is that only those people who actually do have problems will talk about them. the rest of us stay silent. also, linux users are more vocal, they don't stay silent about problems. that's what gets things fixed

[46493168]

People make choices based on information in the market. The question in the thread was “why are people using Mac and Windows?” One answer is: linux is not well known, and what is know is that Linux is a hassle.

[wvbdmp]

On the contrary, it’s unfortunate that this space can’t just be an island of stability, where things keep working the way they always have and new features are added unobtrusively. Instead we get surface-level change for the sake of change as well as slop and surveillance nobody asked for, and are still missing conveniences that have been table-stakes on mobile for years. It would be a a step in the right direction if Windows would simply stop disrupting itself.

[JumpCrisscross]

> it’s unfortunate that this space can’t just be an island of stability, where things keep working the way they always have and new features are added unobtrusively

There are plenty of Linux operating systems that prize stability over feature richness. They work fine if that's your workflow. Most folks' workflows, unfortunately, are not that.

[coldtea]

>There are plenty of Linux operating systems that prize stability over feature richness.

It's a choice between arbitrary changes and constant redesigns every 4-5 years, versus bare-bones distros and DEs.

The parent asks for a third option: well featured, mature, distros that don't change for the sake of it, but still have the features.

[JumpCrisscross]

> well featured, mature, distros that don't change for the sake of it, but still have the features

I’m arguing this niche barely exists. Folks who want to run modern software tend to want something that “looks” modern.

[coldtea]

>Folks who want to run modern software tend to want something that “looks” modern.

Looks that way because nobody asked them, and marketing types and designers decide for them...

[em-bee]

fedora. stable, not bleeding edge but frequently updated (twice a year).

[pjmlp]

Lets also not forget the salaries of most people outside US and Europe.

[bzzzt]

Doesn't seem to prevent half of the world from buying iOS devices with equally inflated prices.

[pjmlp]

Except Apple laptops usually aren't subsidised by mobile phone operators, offered for free in exchange of a five year contract, where the owner is actually the mobile operator due to device locking.

[bzzzt]

That's not been the case here (the Netherlands) for years since the 'hidden loan' of the phone was outlawed. Yet everybody under 20 aspires to have an iPhone.

[pjmlp]

Where is Netherlands located?

Then go back to my original comment.

Additionally, do you happen to know even in Europe, what is average salary of the southern countries and why so many folks try to move into central and northen Europe?

Naturally buying an iPhone, or anything Apple, with a Dutch salary doesn't need hand holding.