I've been working on the Linux desktop for 20 years, and I've been using it on the desktop since 1999, so I lived through the infamous "Year of the Linux Desktop" era.

I've not seen anything like the current level of momentum, ever, nor this level of mainstream exposure. Gaming has changed the equation, and 2026 will be wild.

Not just gaming. This year, both Windows and Mac OS had absolutely terrible years. The Mac effed up its UI with liquid glass, to the point where Alan Dye fled to Meta. Microsoft pushed LLMs and ads into everything, screwing up what was otherwise a decent release.

On the other hand, on the Linux side, we had the release of COSMIC, which is an extremely user-friendly desktop. KDE, Gnome, and others are all at a point where they feel polished and stable.

Windows 8 era had the same vibe.

This time there 2 big factors that were not there in '12.

1. 'office' cloud services - now you just need a browser for majority of docs/sheet/slides tasks

2. gaming - while it was possible back, but it was really hit or miss with a game. Nowadays vast majority of games work on Linux out of the box.

Yeah, fair! Same sentiment about Microsoft now as then, but fewer real blockers on the Linux side.

Gaming, and Microsoft enshittifying Windows 11 to an absurd degree.

The bloat is astounding. This is especially egregious now that RAM costs a fortune.

Ditto macOS.

To be honest, I always figured we'd make it in the long run. We're a thrifty bunch, we aim to set up sustainable organizations, we're more enshittification-resistant by nature. As long as we're reliable and stick around for long enough.

I wouldn’t agree.

The level of momentum feels roughly equivalent to the era of Ubuntu coming around in the mid-2000s. We have been here before.

Ah, the mid-2000s, just before Linux became the dominant user kernel on Earth.

I don't think the prevalence of these articles this time of year is because the authors go on holiday, but instead is because the new year is the perfect time to ponder: "Will this be the year of the Linux desktop?"

I guess everyone’s in a “fuck it I’m ready to try some new stuff” mood too so this content is perfectly suited for new years. Would never have noticed this without your comment.

Perhaps it could have been written, but it would have been far less accurate.

2026, the year of linux

What an abysmally cynical take. More good stuff is good. Be happy about it.

Except every year you didn't have people like Pewdiepie and DHH pushing Linux. As as channels like GamersNexus doing Linux benchmarks. At the same time Windows and Mac making very dumb mistakes. So this time it does feel different, even if it might not be in the end.