Users Linux we are a minority. Well, at least on the desktop, since in other sections, such as the one with smart televisions or servers, which is based on the kernel of Linus Torvalds is in the lead. On desktop computers it has been around 1 in 50 for a long time, but the latest figures put Linux above 3% of the market share. What can this rise mean?
It can mean something or nothing at all. Three years ago, when almost everyone spent most of their time at home, the use of Linux on the desktop went up, but went back down when the health crisis began to stabilize. At that time it dropped below 1.5%, and it was easy to think that what happens is that we use Linux more at home than at work. Pure speculation. Now, when we are already in what some call the new normality, the percentage has risen from 3%, doubling the usage from about three years ago.
Linux rises from 3% for the first time in its history?
I do know that Linux has always been around 2% market share, raising or lowering that figure a bit depending on the moment, but I don't remember ever reading anything about going up by 3%. Until now. If we go to the statcounter page where it shows us the global market share, Linux left June with 3.07%. Chrome OS has its own section for not offering a real desktop experience, and is left with 4.13%. Above would be macOS with 21.32% and already, unattainable, Windows with 68.23%, much less than the close to 80% it had in July 2022.
statcounter only shows statisticsdoes not give any explanation. Why we have overcome the 3% barrier is unknown, as is whether the quota is going to be maintained or not. Reasons or things that have happened in the last year for this to be possible, a couple come to mind: first, that Windows 11 imposes some restrictions that they can leave out equipment that is not the most modern; and second, that Valve released the Steam Deck and is focusing on bringing most of its platform's games to Linux.
Some time after falling below 1.5%, it exceeded 2% again. Now we have to see if that 3 is a mirage or a trend that continues.
I never fully understood how accurate that percentage is, how and where they measure it. You mean home PC desktops I guess.
In some university settings and in public administrations there is a large percentage of Ubuntus installed, not to mention servers and virtual machines.
Never correct your enemy when he's screwing up.