Ubuntu Linux-Based Open Source OS Runs 42 Percent of Dell PCs in China

[henke54]

Dell says that 42 percent of the PCs it sells in the Chinese market run Kylin, an open source operating system based on Ubuntu Linux that Canonical helped to create.
http://thevarguy.com/open-source-application-software-companies/091515/ubuntu-linux-based-open-source-os-runs-42-percent-dell-pc

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2984194/operating-systems/its-the-year-of-the-linux-desktop-for-dell-in-china.html

http://news.softpedia.com/news/dell-reporting-that-40-of-pc-sold-in-china-are-ubuntu-powered-491666.shtml

:popcorn:

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

That doesn't mean a lot without knowing what percentage of computers sold in China are sold directly from Dell.

[HermanAB]

The vast majority of all computers on the planet run Linux. This really isn't news anymore.

[Sweet_Baby_Jamie]

The vast majority of all computers on the planet run Linux. This really isn't news anymore.

Yeah but isn't that mostly servers not PCs?

[SeijiSensei]

We're heading toward two billion smartphones (http://www.emarketer.com/Article/2-Billion-Consumers-Worldwide-Smartphones-by-2016/1011694) worldwide next year, and 70-80% of them run Android (http://www.idc.com/prodserv/smartphone-os-market-share.jsp). If we count Android as Linux (https://stats.wikimedia.org/wikimedia/squids/SquidReportOperatingSystems.htm), that amounts to some 1.4-1.6 billion devices. In 2011, it was estimated (http://www.businessinsider.com/right-now-there-are-125-billion-windows-pcs-worldwide-2011-12) there were 1.25 billion Windows PCs. That number has probably grown some, but the slowdown (http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3090817) in worldwide PC shipments suggests the 2015 total for Windows might come in around the same 1.5 billion figure. If we add in Linux implementations in server rooms and, especially, virtual implementations of Linux on "cloud" platforms, then Herman could be correct in saying Linux powers more computers world-wide than any other operating system.

[night_sky2]

Linux dominates everywhere* except the desktop PC. I don't see that changing significantly but Ubuntu could very well find itself a good niche in developping country.


*Although I am not too willing to consider Android as FOSS, considering Google's iron grip.

[Sweet_Baby_Jamie]

We're heading toward two billion smartphones (http://www.emarketer.com/Article/2-Billion-Consumers-Worldwide-Smartphones-by-2016/1011694) worldwide next year, and 70-80% of them run Android (http://www.idc.com/prodserv/smartphone-os-market-share.jsp). (stuff deleted) If we add in Linux implementations in server rooms and, especially, virtual implementations of Linux on "cloud" platforms, then Herman could be correct in saying Linux powers more computers world-wide than any other operating system.

The OP was about PCs. Not smart phones, gadgets, servers, and all that. I'm sure Linux is the most-used when you count all those things, but the article and the original post is about Ubuntu-based Linux running on a HUGE percent of Dell's personal computer market in China! I think that is awesome! I also think it's good because other computer companies should take notice and start building computers that don't depend on proprietary drivers and firmware, and we'll all benefit from that!

[HermanAB]

Underneath every Windows home desktop PC, there lies a dinky little Linux based firewall device...

Anyhoo, desktops is a small niche market and there is no money in it. The rest of the market is bigger and much more profitable.

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

The OS that was installed on a personal computer at the time of sale doesn't tell me what OS is being used afterword. Dell would report that my Dell computers run Microsoft Windows; however, they don't. It is not that difficult to change the OS on a home computer. What some people install may not be ligament though.

[Welly Wu]

Yay! My people use Ubuntu Kylin GNU/Linux! More countries are creating their own custom GNU/Linux distributions for national usage in the public sector. I see this as a positive step forward for China.

[vasa1]

"My people" aren't :(

Successive governments are paying lip-service but not really doing much.

[DuckHook]

I'm with Old_Grey on this one. Especially given that it's China, I would suspect that most of those Dells now have pirated versions of W10 on them.

[bashiergui]

I'm with Old_Grey on this one. Especially given that it's China, I would suspect that most of those Dells now have pirated versions of W10 on them.
You have to be dim or daft to run pirated Win 10. Microsoft will upgrade any previous version - including old pirated ones - to a fully licensed, legit Windows 10.

[DuckHook]

You have to be dim or daft to run pirated Win 10. Microsoft will upgrade any previous version - including old pirated ones - to a fully licensed, legit Windows 10....consider my post amended to read: "previously pirated Windows now upgraded to legitimate license of W10".

[monkeybrain20122]

...consider my post amended to read: "previously pirated Windows now upgraded to legitimate license of W10".

Why would they buy a new computer that comes with Ubuntu and then install pirated Windows while they can get the same computer with Windows preinstalled? (I don't think there is a big difference in price if any)

Anyway it is the sales number that counts and shows up in stats. You can use the laptop as a doorstop or a tennis racket afterwards for all the manufactures' care. :)

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

@monkeybrain20122,

I gave up on thinking people would behave logically many years ago. :)

What I consider logic may be based on axioms that are different from theirs.

[craig10x]

Pirated copies of windows 7 and 8 do not get an activated, legit copy of windows 10...but you can join the insiders program and be a tester and get it that way if you don't have a legit copy of 7 or 8 to upgrade to 10 with...

While it is true that they WILL let you upgrade to 10 from a pirated copy, it will remain an unactivated, non licensed copy after the upgrade...

[jacktar]

As most of these PCs are being sold to government offices I think it is unlikely that anyone will install Windows on them.