>Linux just is not going to be the general answer for ordinary people.
It so, I hear you. A decade or more ago, I had Ubuntu running as a general use machine for family and friends use.
It seemed almost there back then, and I saw some success.
Today it would be better, yes? I think so
Fact is, it often takes someone doing support to have it work well, and when that is gone, the software slips behind leaving users to get help.
Today, the numbers are much better. That happens less, but still does happen.
Your point on browser apps is solid. I agree, but those come with their own problems.
I see the most success when I set one up, including Void Tools, many visits to FossHUB...
When done, no network needed and one has a GREAT machine, ready for many tasks!
Both ways have merit and the more the merrier!
Your news bolsters the "soon" in my comment above.
I am quite happy to be proven wrong.
Fact is, large numbers of people will just end up on Windows 11 :(
Used, great condition M1 Airs go for ~$450 around here and will last longer than anything Intel or AMD-based for that price, whether new or used.
You know I decided to take my old note 8 for a test drive as a PC of sorts. Went ahead and purchased one of those USB 3 port bricks so I could hook up a nice display, keyboard, mouse, removable storage.
Samsung Dex popped up and it works mostly!
I found one could do quite a lot.
That is not the way I would go, but if I had to? Bring it! Plenty can be done, good skills learned.
Apple is priced beyond the reach of many "ordinary people" especially outside the western markets. A cheap (perhaps after market) laptop with Ubuntu on it (often installed by the seller) is something that has been getting a lot of traction among regular users. Most of the things they do are via. a browser so as long as Chrome/FF works, they're good. They often install software that undermines the security that the platform natively offers but still, it's a pretty decent compromise.