Linux just works. And when it breaks I can fix it.
I just got a new Windows machine on Monday. It is already beginning to die the inevitable death of a thousand cuts.
I installed Fedora Core 6 on my Sony laptop two weeks ago. I've had two hiccups along the way, but they were both simple to fix, after a brief Google session.
On the other hand, I bought a new HP desktop box with Windows XP preinstalled just 5 days ago. Windows already is starting to break.
The score: Linux 2, Windows 0. Adjusting for amount of time owned: Linux 4, Windows 0.
My laptop's hardware is exceptionally well-supported under Linux. Laptops with other chipsets won't be this easy. In general, laptops built around Intel's integrated display and wireless chipsets seem to work with the least amount of hassle. However, my experience is that the general principle here still holds. Once you get Linux running, it stays running, usually without your even thinking about it. If you're running a more bleeding edge distribution like Fedora, you might occasionally have stuff to fix. But mostly it Just Works.
Windows invariably dies the death of a thousand cuts. No matter what you do.
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