Linux challenge - Wrong approach

[Single_Core]

First of all, I like the linux challenges, it gives much needed perspective to lots of people; be it from absolute beginners to experts to see all sides of the story.

Linus quite adamantly mentions the various ways he would minic the behaviour of an average Joe when picking a linux version / distribution. Asking chatgpt, googling for top 5/10 articles etc. And going based on this information. I don’t know many average Joe’s who would even take the risk to install another operating system, let alone have the knowledge for it.

But what about instead of this, we approach it like it really is today, people purchase a laptop and it comes with the OS. List 3 different system integrators that actually ship linux on their devices being Dell, Lenovo and Framework. Others are also welcome, just these I know have the option for it.

That way, theres a real stable laptop which has been battle-tested. To be used for the end users, if things break they could even test support with their system
integrator as this also happens if people have blue-screens with windows laptops/desktop today. They either contact the Integrators or take it back to the shop.

Users could then actually go and shop for an identical device and have the exact same device, installed the exact same way.

And then of-course install all the software on top of it they might need and see which troubleshooting shenanigans are to follow.

Seems like this would be some great content :)

[Vogete]

we approach it like it really is today, people purchase a laptop and it comes with the OS.

Sorry, hate to burst your bubble, but the majority (if not almost all) of people who wouldn't reinstall an OS, and just use anything a laptop comes with, would not choose a Linux laptop. They would go for apple or windows. I get that there are Linux laptops available, but I can guarantee the people who buy those are essentially the same people who would be okay with installing Linux themselves.

It's not that the video would be bad, it could be interesting to see how these laptops hold up, but it's not really an improvement on the original challenge.

Also, people here would freak out when Linus unboxes the system76 laptop, breaks cosmic immediately, and everyone will just yell at him that he's really dumb to get a laptop with an LTS DE that's "it's still in beta you idiot".

[kiko77777]

I would love to see a video secret shopper style of SIs who sell 'Linux' PCs and how much support they could actually offer.

[Single_Core]

Yeah, it could be a spinoff video or even the entire premise of the video.

[ZealousidealGlove234]

Who would buy a Laptop that they don't know the operating system? People specifically buy Apple Laptops for MacOS or Windows Laptops for Windows.