Services · From Windows to Linux
Replace Windows or Mac with Linux
Do not throw away PCs that still work. Around €100 per workstation on average, and never more than 50% of the basic cost of a new PC.
In October 2025, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10. What does that mean?
It no longer provides the security updates that protect our PCs from attackers. Windows 10 machines, even with free or paid antivirus software, are therefore exposed to cyberattacks.
Continuing to use Windows 10 is not a wise choice, and unfortunately many PCs that still work perfectly risk ending up in the rubbish. A real shame, especially for business PCs, which can number several dozen or more. In cost terms, a disaster.
Macs, although less common in business environments, may also be present, and their owners know how strict Apple's planned obsolescence can be. At De.Mi., we can also restore Apple machines manufactured from 2012 onwards.
Fortunately, all is not lost
Today there really is an alternative to Windows that, until recently, was not quite mature enough, but certainly is now: Linux.
Linux is a free-software ecosystem, and in 90% of cases it is also free of charge.
What you might pay for
Here are some examples of possible costs within the remaining 10%. These are solely software support costs for work carried out by professional systems administrators:
- Removing the previously installed Windows system.
- Installing Linux.
- Designing and implementing the internal network connecting the PCs.
- Initial training for staff who will use the new system.
- Maintaining the ecosystem.
- Specific customisations (for example, running Windows software directly within Linux, or setting up Windows servers that share remote desktops with Linux machines).
These are the areas where Linux, like Windows, may involve a charge if you do not have the necessary skills yourself.
With all this in mind, at DE.MI. Consulting we can confidently say, and deliver, that replacing Windows with Linux is possible in 99.99% of cases in business environments.
If I save on PCs but spend on support, what do I gain?
I would ask the same question, quite apart from the disruption of such a change. Every IT company will have its own answer; here is ours.
A Windows 11-compatible machine costs around €400 to over €1,500, depending on its configuration. For removing the old system and installing Linux alone, we commit to charging no more than 50% of the BASIC cost of new hardware. We said “no more than”: in many cases it may be lower. The cost mainly depends on the year the PCs were manufactured: the newer they are, the lower the replacement cost.
~€100 average replacement cost
1/4 of the cost of a basic PC, on average
max €200 for system replacement alone
Linux versions we support
- All Debian derivatives (our default choice is Ubuntu Cinnamon)
- All Red Hat derivatives (Fedora)
What installation includes
A fully operational workstation:
- Wired and wireless network connection
- Email and calendar with Thunderbird (up to 3 email accounts)
- Your choice of web browser: Chrome, Edge or Firefox
- LibreOffice and OnlyOffice in place of Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Reading and editing PDFs with OnlyOffice
- An image viewer and basic image editing, plus GIMP
What is excluded
- Configuration and connection to company servers
- Configuration and connection to cloud servers with data synchronisation
- Local Windows software configuration (Wine)
- Configuration of software on a Windows remote desktop
- Installation and configuration of Windows servers for remote desktop
- Training (at least 1 hour per user is recommended, including group sessions)
- Video conferencing software
- Hardware replacements
- Travel outside Bologna and its province
What our customers say
“They replaced Windows in two days. We keep asking ourselves why we did not do this sooner: everything now runs like clockwork, and the rare problems are always resolved promptly and with great care.”
Would you like to know more?
Call our technical sales team or send us a WhatsApp message. We will call you back as soon as possible.
Want to try it yourself?
At De.Mi., we support open-source principles wherever possible, especially the idea that anyone with some motivation and time should be able to do things themselves.
That is why we have published a short guide for those who want to try making the switch on their own. It also helps explain the work involved in moving from Windows or Mac to Linux.