Re:Forget Linux... (Score 1)

Which makes it hard to get the lowest bid.

Perhaps not when you factor in the costs of administrator salaries and time, lifespan of equipment, and training costs.

A $400 Dell may be a bit cheaper than the $500 Mac Mini, but the mini might (it hasn't been out long enough to say 'will') need less administration time, last longer (especially with less fan action), be more intuitive for people to use, etc.

There's more to figuring costs than just the immediate price.