For many years now Linux enthusiasts (me included) have been arguing for the Year of the Linux Desktop to come to fruition. But it has never come and likely never will. This is for many reasons that are not Linux’s fault. Instead, they are largely the result of industry-wide trends and business practices that favor established, bundled operating systems.
Bundling
Linux doesn’t have the edge like every other OS does with bundling. What I mean by this is when was the last time you’ve seen a pre-built computer or laptop with Linux on it. I’ve personally only seen it twice with System76 and the Steam Deck. Both of those have their own distros of Linux.
This bundling gap creates a dual problem:
- For many users, installing an operating system from scratch can seem daunting. The typical Linux installation, despite becoming more user-friendly over the years, still requires a level of technical know-how that many average consumers do not possess.
- Computers pre-loaded with a familiar OS (like Windows) have a perceived reliability and convenience that Linux systems lack by default. Without the “out-of-the-box” promise, Linux is often relegated to the realm of hobbyists and server owners, reinforcing its status as a niche platform.
Software Support
Another issue that Linux faces is software support. The most popular OS is going to receive the most software support and as such be a more usable experience for its user base. This solution is somewhat solved by proton and wine compatibility layers, but that is just a stopgap for real support. This leads to an unending cycle where the most usable operating system is always the most popular one.
The issue boils down to a cycle:
- More Users → More Software Developed → Even More Users.
Driver and Hardware Support
An issue that plagues a large potion of the user-base is the incompatibility or weirdness with certain hardware such as requiring a certain driver to use a feature of a graphics card but it not working properly (looking at you amd-pro). This problem is less pronounced when the drivers are open sourced but that is not a norm in the corporate world.
The fragmented nature of driver support creates a less-than-seamless experience for Linux users, especially when compared to the “it just works” promise offered by other pre-bundled operating systems. Despite improvements over time, the hurdle of ensuring comprehensive hardware support remains a significant barrier to broader Linux desktop adoption.
Linux’s Victories
Even though it may not be the most popular desktop OS, Linux will always be the dominator in three fields. These three fields are old hardware, customization, and stuff that needs to be reliable such as server/headless computers.
Old Hardware
If you have ever found a beaten up thinkpad from the 90’s Linux is what you install on it. Random tablet from who knows where? Linux. Ps3? Linux. Modern OS’s are filled with bloatware and tonnes of overhead while Linux’s diverse ecosystem includes lightweight distributions that can breathe new life into aging hardware.
Reliability
Linux’s reputation for stability, security, and scalability has made it the backbone of countless servers, data centers, and cloud infrastructures around the world. If you don’t want to worry about your server going down or have it in a hard to access space, Linux is a must go. Other OS’s are known to be slow and generally unreliable for running months on end, while Linux just works forever*.
Customization
Want the task bar truly gone in Windows? No. Want to do anything that isn’t designed to be edited or changed? Well that is not happening. While in Linux you can even edit the kernel and as long as you code it correctly it will work and not complain to you. For power users, developers, and those who value control over their computing environment, Linux remains the ideal choice.
Conclusion
While we may never see the day of the Linux desktop, Linux is used in a lot of ways we can be proud of.
Linux continues to excel where it matters most: in breathing new life into older hardware, powering the servers that drive the internet, and offering a customizable, secure, and robust environment for advanced users. As the technology landscape evolves, the influence of Linux is undeniable, shaping not only how we interact with computers but also how the very concept of an operating system is reimagined.
The popularity contest does not matter in the context of an open sourced ecosystem. Every one wins by being able to choose what works best for their goals and comfort levels, and that is what makes Linux special.