To be sure, there needs to be some effort put into the learning if the new operating system, but the rewards are well worth it. Costs of windows go beyond $50 sticker price.
The reason why it's so hard to switch to Linux is in part because Microsoft has locked in users with proprietary apps and file formats. This means increased total costs, not just for users, but also for OEM who have no choice by to dance to Microsoft tune. All of this extra hidden cost is borne by all of us.
When buying software, vendor lock-in is not always listed on the box, therefore there is asymetric information between users and software makers. That is why free market fails in software world.
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