Desktop Operating System Market Share Worldwide Posted on 07/12/2023 4:56:02 AM PDT by ShadowAce
Linux enthusiasts rejoice! After a long journey, according to StatCounter’s data, by June 2023, Linux has achieved a 3% desktop market share.
Linux has a long history that dates back more than 30 years. However, it has never been as popular among regular computer users as other operating systems such as Microsft’s Windows or Apple’s macOS.
Of course, for many years, Linux has emerged as a dominant force in the realm of server operating systems. Due to its exceptional performance, stability, reliability, and security, it has been widely adopted in server/cloud/IoT environments.
However, these days, Linux is no longer limited to these environments alone; it is rapidly gaining momentum as an operating system of choice for many desktop users, especially developers.
And the most recent figures confirm this, giving all advocates of Linux and open source in general reason to rejoice.
According to StatCounter, a web analytics company, by June 2023, Linux has reached a 3% market share in the desktop segment. This is a remarkable achievement considering its fierce competition from other operating systems.Desktop Operating System Market Share Worldwide
While someone may seem the figure modest, it signifies a growing acceptance and recognition of the power and versatility of Linux.
In any case, the achievement of a 3% market share by Linux is undoubtedly a cause for celebration among its dedicated community. It reflects the growing recognition of Linux’s strengths and the efforts to overcome its historical barriers.
Moreover, with the continued development and innovation within the Linux ecosystem, its market share will continue growing in the coming years.
The growing importance of cloud computing and the rise of server infrastructure have also contributed to Linux’s success. Still, the main reason for reaching this figure is the operating system’s growing popularity among desktop users.
With exceptionally easy-to-use and entirely user-centric Linux desktop distributions, the operating system is no longer what it was 20 years ago – a complex equation available only to highly technically enlightened hackers.
Linux with GNOME Desktop. Yes, I know. Over the last 10+ years, each one has often been heralded as “Linux on the Desktop,” although it turns out that’s not quite the case. But still, we’re close to that point now. And for good reasons.
The main appealing aspect of Linux for desktop users is its lightweight nature, free from corporate bloatware, and especially the limitless customization options.
It allows users to tailor their desktop environment to suit their preferences and workflow. With a vast selection of desktop environments like GNOME, KDE, Xfce, and many others, users can choose the one that best aligns with their needs.
Another important factor driving Linux’s growing popularity among desktop users is privacy. Compared to other mainstream operating systems, Linux generally collects no user data.
While some distributions may try to collect basic telemetry data for improvement purposes, the level of data collection is typically minimal and can be disabled or opted out of entirely. This aspect appeals to privacy-conscious individuals who prefer more control over their personal information.
Linux has long been the operating system of choice for developers worldwide, and its allure continues to grow.
First and foremost, Linux’s open-source nature empowers developers with unparalleled freedom. They can access and modify the source code, customize their environments, and contribute to the community, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Furthermore, performance is also a crucial factor. Linux’s efficiency, scalability, and ability to run on diverse hardware architectures make it ideal for resource-intensive tasks.
Lastly, its command-line interface and powerful scripting capabilities offer flexibility and automation, streamlining development workflows.
So, as Linux enthusiasts rejoice, it is essential to remember that the journey does not end here. Linux has proven its worth, and its rise to a 3% desktop market share is a testament to its resilience and adaptability in the desktop field.
With ongoing advancements and increased support from the Open Source community and businesses, Linux is poised to become an even more formidable player in the world of operating systems.
Meh- 3%, 33% 93%, don’t care, I will still continue using it as my main os, being that it is easy to use, fairly I mune to viruses, and just fairly safe online overall, and dual boot into windows if I need windows only software or games etc. Got sick and tired of being tied up maintaining windows with its constant updates, and trying to fend off viruses etc. Whole Linux isn’t 100% free from viruses, it is much better than windows, and that’s OK by me.
Do I want to play Witcher 3? No.
Would I be able to, if I wanted to? Yes.
Apache OpenOffice is 100% compatible with M$Office 365 and ... wait for it ... it’s FREE!
I try Linux every 5 years or so. Consistently it has two problems:
1. If you don’t use it for a while, it magically stops working correctly and displays some error that leads to a rabbit hole of web searches. Every fix requires some other pre-requisite, which requires some other pre-requisite.
2. Video driver compatibility was still a problem last I tried it a few years ago. It doesn’t matter how common your graphics card is. It doesn’t have to be the newest or oldest to have problems.
I've got two video cards in my laptop--an Intel on the motherboard, and a NVIDIA RTX.
No issues on my dual screen setup.
Oh, I’ve tried it. I’ve been in IT for 40+ years. It just didn’t do anything for me, none of the applications I needed and use daily. Fine for a server, but absolutely useless for a working desktop.
Well, whuptyF*inDoo.
I’ve got two Linux systems operating on dual boot PC’s. Hardly ever use ‘cause it is so damn difficult to add proggies and update.
Linux coders are like customer service in any IT shop — “You will take what I give you and like it.” No empathy.
Apple’s IOS and OSX are Linux (the term in vogue now is “UNIX-like”), and Google’s Android is Linux.
Your Smart TV and Smart thermostat and Smart vacuum cleaner all run Linux.
Linux might only be 3% of the desktop market but the desktop market has been in decline since 2012. Linux has a virtual monopoly on the digital handhelds market and is, point of fact, the the most popular operating system in existence.
courses for horses
You can make a Unix-style operating system easy/pretty and it will be adopted by the (desktop) market - they're called Macs. For folks who can use and appreciate what Unix has to offer, without the insane encumberances and license fees, there's likely a version of Linux that works for their circumstances. Personally, I've been on Ubuntu (for desktop) since Apple announced that future Macs would use their chips (M1) rather than Intel's, so circa 2017 or so. None of the folks I work with can tell (and even if they could, wouldn't care).
As for customization, there are tons of options - most involve editing configuration files, pretty simple - so again, I don't see it as "take what I give you" from the developers who create and maintain these apps.
Maybe so but they fill about 30% of the posts on threads about how to fix an issue with Windows.
“Linux is great for servers in a data center. Its not a home computer type of os though.”
“You pretty much need the skill set of a software developer to operate and maintain a Linux system.”
Absolutely not. Myths based on “ancient history”. New current versions are superior in function and ease of use over windows. Take Mint... It is as easy to use as Win 7 right out of the box. Those statements are from a position of having no clue what current versions are like.
From the article:
“Due to its exceptional performance, stability, reliability, and security”
And this goes for desktops as well as Servers.
“As for customization, there are tons of options - most involve editing configuration files, pretty simple - so again, I don’t see it as “take what I give you” from the developers who create and maintain these apps.”
Actually, GUI themes, applets, desklets, and extensions can just be switched out from the settings to customize. No need for editing configuration files. That is only needed for very very fine tuning if you are a perfectionist.
https://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/themes
But your point is extremely important, at least you “can” customize it right down to every last nut and bolt if you like.
desktop is the wiggle here.
linux is by far the most utilized OS in the world.
as it’s on almost all smart phones and embedded devices (set top boxes, cars, tvs, etc)
As I already noted, iOS/macOS are "UNIX-like," which makes the score not quite six-to-one, Linux over Windows.
Note, too, that these are 2015 stats. Since that time, the score has tilted even further to the UNIX-like side.
It also bears mention that for much of its existence, Microsoft.com ran Linux web servers and file servers.
Today, I'm about 50/50 Windows/Linux. Windows is the corporate desktop mandate. Inside is VMware workstation with VMs including Linux and Windows. For specialized embedded systems development tools e.g. PIC microcontrollers, the only viable tools are Windows only. For backend servers, Linux owns most of the market. Thankfully, that is where I spend most of my development effort.
Same here. Ubuntu on Thinkpads
Around 2005, I had a specialized PC104 CPU where I ran a Debian OS on my railcars. Linux kernel code added a dependency on a new CPU instruction that was not supported by the SOC custom CPU on the Diamond Systems PC104 CPU board. I was locked into an old kernel. A change in administration occurred on January 20, 2009. The project was defunded upon the arrival of Obama. I sent the obsolete CPU boards back to the project office. The problem was overcome by events (election) and never resolved.
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