First, I'll start off by saying that I actually run Linux desktops. I had Linux mint installed in a VM on my desktop and in dual boot on my laptop. I now have Solus Plasma dualbooting on both.

When someone is new to Linux, they get the idea that there is a desktop war... that they should try to switch everyone they know to Linux. If a friend has a problem with windows and asks for help, their "solution" is to get the friend to install Linux. I will address some issues concerning this attitude in this post.

The top two reasons given as to why people should switch to Linux are usually privacy and security. However, neither option is a slam dunk. Windows 10 has virtual secure mode using virtualization to separate the userspace from the kernel, it automatically updates (not installing updates was a big security issue in previous versions. Now, you can set active hours so updates and reboots don't happen while you're working or even pause for up to 35 days, but you must install security updates), and comes with built-in virus ransomware protection as well as a firewall, the user is no longer root by default, etc.

In order for someone to somehow have privacy in Linux, they have to stop trading their privacy away. Google, Amazon, Facebook etc. did not start out as huge multi-billion dollar companies. They got there because of the use and support of millions of people. Windows 10 now allows you to address privacy during install, but even if it didn't, you'd have to ask yourself: am I giving them more of my data than I give apps on my Android phone, Amazon with their echo installed in my house, Google with their dot, through searches, etc. Facebook through my detailing of my private life on their forum, etc. People say they value privacy, but show through their actions that they're not willing to give up something to get it.

So, we're left with less common reasons, such as the fact you have steam, Netflix, lutris has made gaming easier, etc. First, many of these are not reasons to switch because windows has them too. You don't switch to Linux from Windows in order to play steam games because you can already do that in windows and it's better supported/you have more games. Yes, Linux is getting better there, but it's still worse. For instance, Uplay recently gave away For Honor. Have you ever tried to play For Honor in Linux? As far as Netflix, it's 720p or less - to get 1080p or 4k, you need windows or Mac.

So, that leaves us with customization as another reason....aka more ability to break things. For those who like to tinker and fine tune, it's great and that's a legitimate reason to switch. Privacy is also a legitimate reason to switch. But, they are not reasons for the average person.

But what do you lose by switching? First, you lose the ability to KNOW any hardware you buy will run on your OS. You also lose ease of configuration/install. You can't just pop in an installation disk. Last night, I installed my HP Envy 5055 in Solus. HP printers are very supported in Linux. I installed it via printers in kde. It gave no errors, but would not print. So, I installed it via cups. It would print, but only black and white. Finally, I installed it via the hp software and it worked. Why did 3 ways to configure it exist? Because Linux is not a cohesive whole. Getting hardware to work and work well may be difficult or impossible. Laptop users can attest to that.

You also lose the ability to call a company up for support and have them actually support their product on your OS. You lose the knowledge that any software or service will work with your os because it was tested on it and, if there are any bugs, they will be given priority because people like you keep them in business. You lose the ability to install and use software that gets recommended by your friends or media.

Of course, people do switch every day. The percentage stays about the same, but people do make the choice either because of privacy, the ability to tinker and customize, or some other reason. But, that doesn't make it a legitimate option for the average person.