GNU/Linux is getting more expensive for home consumers

To be fair, much of what I share is based upon my own experiences and it does not reflect upon the larger Ubuntu Forums community or the GNU/Linux ecosystem as a whole worldwide.

I find that the cost of entry into the GNU/Linux community to be fairly expensive and the prices seem to be going up each passing year. Sure, you can take an existing or old Apple or Microsoft PC and install GNU/Linux if it is compatible for free of charge, but my focus in this thread is upon PC OEMs and ISVs that choose to support GNU/Linux. I'm talking about PC OEMs like System76, Zareason, Emperor Linux, etc. The prices that these small companies charge for their desktop and laptops especially their servers are very high. Their starting prices are pretty high to begin with fairly baseline PC hardware components. Where these companies make their money is to overcharge for higher end PC hardware components and special services like rapid builds or express shipping. They make it more financially challenging for new customers and GNU/Linux users to buy one of their products and get the service and technical support when they run into a problem especially for newcomers. I just don't get it, but I paid for a System76 laptop almost twice and I paid for a Zareason desktop. With 20/20 hindsight, I grossly overpaid.

The other major cost comes from ISVs that port some of their Microsoft Windows software products to GNU/Linux and they charge the same or more as a result. I regularly do business with lots of software companies and each product costs me an arm and a leg every year to keep upgrading to newer versions and to use their stuff on my desktop and laptop. Codeweavers, CrashPlan, Red Hat, etc. don't make their software products on the cheap just because you choose to use GNU/Linux. In fact, I spend more money on software while using Ubuntu today than I did when I had a Microsoft Windows 8.1 gaming laptop and my previous Windows software library years ago. I should know because I keep accurate, up to date, and extensive financial records for many years and I did some direct comparisons.

No one forces me to do business with these companies, but my main point is not to complain in my thread. I am just pointing out several years of experiences as a customer and end user. It's up to the individual to choose with whom to do business and how much to spend of their own money, but I found out that I am spending way more money by sticking with the latest Ubuntu 64 bit LTS GNU/Linux desktop operating system than when I was solely using Microsoft products. The real cost is the help, technical support, and the warranties. That's where hardware and software companies get you on overcharging inflated prices for value added extras that are nice to have for peace of mind.

I'll continue maintaining the status quo. Several years from today, I plan to do business with the same or a few new GNU/Linux friendly PC OEMs and ISVs depending upon which company is still in the PC market at that time. This is why I am saving up as much money as possible to build up a small fortune so that I can afford this expensive hobby of mine.

I'd like to get others to reply and let me know if they have other thoughts to share with me and the community.