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Equal opportunity for Linux - let us choose at the checkout what operating system we want for our laptop (backtoeu.eu)

submitted 1 day ago by darko@feddit.org to c/buyfromeu@feddit.org

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As we all know, the EU loves regulation, sometimes even overregulation. One area where I feel that regulation would help is computer hardware sale. When I want to buy a laptop and I visit the online retailers, normally 80% of the laptops come with Windows, 10% Linux and 10% Freedos or without any. I would very much welcome if the EU made it mandatory for manufaturers to offer the choice of OS when buying a new laptop. Just like you chose the color, how much RAM you wanted, SSD size, you could also chose what operating system you want it with. As part of that, manufacturers would be obliged to send a fix donation after every sold piece to the corresponding Linux distro team, which would help the chronic underfunding issue. Not sure how much the manufacturers pay for Windowsfor the license, but theoretically the Linux equivalent machine should be cheaper even after the donation. Any views are welcome.

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[–] huppakee@lemm.ee 6 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

To be honest I don't think forcing companies to have multiple options when it comes to OS is the way, but I will not stand in your way.

I think the way is creating more demand for alternative OSs, by explaining them why Windows isn't necessarily the best option. I'd like to help you a little bit by letting you know of three things I saw on the homepage:

... then you are likely to have a laptop that runs Windows or iOS.

Only iPhones run on iOS MacBooks and desktop Macs run on Mac OS. I'd also not use the word laptop because it excludes desktops, maybe 'computer', 'machine' or 'system' is better.

Your social newtork is on Facebook or X, or both.

Small typo in the word network, also you could mention Instagram since I think it is now the most popular

Step 1 have a new browser

Because it is an instruction, it would be better to use a verb that doesn't imply that they already own it. I'd use 'get', 'try' or 'install'.

Wish you all the best, please keep going 👍

[–] darko@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago

Thanks for reviewing it, I will fix these tonight!