around here the only Linux devices are Android tablets and smartphones. the other types are endless Windows laptops/desktops and their Apple brethren. Wal-Mart here has never sold the empty laptops or Linux laptops period.
Well I woudn't really expect any more of a supermarket. Do they sell budget Android tablets as well? That's the sort of thing that Wal*Mart would do. Myself, I mainly go to the supermarket to buy groceries, not tech products. I saw the Ubuntu laptops in a shopping mall of all places, as well as the local Haier, Hasee, Great Wall, Founder and Lenovo dealerships. They seemed to be around about $100 USD cheaper than their Win 7
Home Basic counterparts, which shows just how expensive Windows can be here.
BTW another thing I've notice since I've been here, is that Blu-ray is like almost unheard of, not like in the UK. Probably because the llcensing costs are so expensive("a bag of hurt" as the late Steve Jobs put it). There's a home-grown HD optical-media alternative, EVD.
and sadly, most games still will not run in Linux. I think when they support the gamers then it would be a booming thing. so far Linux, while technically the 'most used OS' sadly most of that use is limited to the servers running the Internet, offices, and various other sites.
Do many people still game with PCs? Isn't it more about mobile gaming and consoles these days? I used to be really into PC gaming at one time, but not now though.
PC gaming is popular here among the younger crowd. Most of whom don't own their own PCs, because they're so expensive, so they usually play their Counter Strike, Medal of Honor, WoW, etc, in smoky internet bars.
it does trump home computers and laptops but most consumer-end tech involves laptops and desktops.
What sort of "consumer-end tech"? Entertainment, movies, TV, music, browsing, social networking? I think move here now is towards smart devices, like Android TVs, STBs, etc., which are not running a Microsoft OS.
Linux does have perfect replacements to web browsers, office apps, *some* games will run in Wine (but not all--including the most popular franchises) but most of the other stuff are watered down copies of Outlook Express (Sylpheed),
Outlook Express?
Don't you mean Outlook? Which is still pretty much a standard for enterprise users. Don't know what a watered down copy of Outlook Express would be like, but it would probably be unusable. OE is discontinued and end of lifecycle anyway. It was something that came with Windows XP. it was never much good IMO, and was always a security risk. Lookout Excuse more like.
.
Sylpheed is OK, but I use Thunderbird myself, personal preference.
Windows (Wine), and other software.
"other software"? ... can you provide some more details please?
in Android the same problem exists. most app ports for Facebook and such look pathetic compared to iOS offerings. some offer less functionality than their iOS app brethren. that never did make any sense.
TBH I don't use Facebook, and I don't know anyone else who does either, so I can't comment about how the different mobile FB apps compare.
is Apple the new MS? or is it just that easier to develop for than Android?
It's certainly more expensive to develop for iOS than Android(initial investment), basically because you have to use a Mac rather than a PC.
besides I like a good tool in my hands 
