this post was submitted on 26 Oct 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Generally if you want long support windows you go for big boring brands’ simplest business class laptops. Or Apple.
Small companies an make a commitment to support, but they often have neither the money, customer base or manpower to follow through when the going gets tough.
I have found that popularity is a better predictor of spare part availability than any commitment from a company of any size. When they stop selling parts, there’s always the second hand market. When that dries up there’s always third party parts.
Firmware updates are one of the places that dell, Lenovo and Apple shine. Because of their customers expectations they tend to release new updates and drivers as functionality expectations or security conditions change.
Although, Apple also just decides to make updates unavailable for your device once it's a few years old, so there's that.
Windows on a Dell XPS laptop was a good experience, firmware (and Windows) updates always came instantly. With Linux I have to keep an eye out for BIOS updates from time to time but Dell does not shy away from releasing BIOS updates for an over 7 years old laptop. Probably because their newer laptops use the same BIOS, but still!
Yeah, I'm still getting updates on my 2017 Dell Latitude!
And mostly, Windows/Linux will update for eternity; it's up to you if it works and it most likely will despite the wide abd varied hardware support.