Linux market share passes 4% for first time; macOS dominance declines
arstechnica.com
Report: Linux was on 6.34 percent of computers last month if you count ChromeOS.

We see the nearly 33-year-old OS’s market share growing 31.3 percent from June 2023, when we last reported on Linux market share, to February. Since June, Linux usage has mostly increased gradually. Overall, there’s been a big leap in usage compared to five years ago. In February 2019, Linux was reportedly on 1.58 percent of desktops globally.

  • @nexguyEnglish
    26•3 months ago

    It looks like it’s because macos lost a lot for some reason over the last couple of years with Windows and Linux picking up that share. Anyone know why?

    • SuperDuperEnglish
      16•3 months ago

      My company was pushing MacBooks and iMacs on developers for years, now they’re reversing course. I’m guessing it’s a combination of the upfront cost and the hassle of enterprise administration, tech support, and security having to officially handle 2 different OS’s. It’s much easier to have everyone on similar setups, and Windows is basically the “default” OS for corporate users.

      • mesamuneEnglish
        12•3 months ago

        The new arch continues to mess up brew, which is by far what people use for development on the platform. In addition, docker and other custom tools are paid on Mac but free on Linux. With companies tightening their belts, Linux is starting to make financial sense.

        • @[email protected]English
          5•3 months ago

          What’s this about Docker not being free on MacOS? I have it installed and use it for dev work and it didn’t cost anything.

          • benEnglish
            14•3 months ago

            Docker desktop has a license that restricts commercial use depending on the size of your company/employer.

            Use Colima to be on the safe side.

            • @[email protected]English
              3•3 months ago

              Ah right on thanks for the info, I had no idea. My company is less than 10 people with single digit million revenue so it appears we’re not violating anything. I knew they had a paid service, but none of that seems unique to MacOS.

    • @[email protected]English
      8•3 months ago

      I’m going to guess that everything else became so expensive, like food and rent, that people have less money to spend on a computer, and there’s is particularly expensive. But that’s just my guess.

    • @TORFdot0English
      6•3 months ago

      People migrating to iPads maybe? I figured that Mac and Linux both would be making gains. Especially with apple silicon being 3 generations in and windows 11 sucking so much.

      Wonder if iPads are cutting into that all. Considering they are cheaper than a MacBook which basically requires you to drop at least a grand for entry level devices