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.

  • SuperDuper
    English
    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.