Whats Is The Best Operating System ?
Oct 07, 2009
The best desktop operating system to use depends on what its intendeduse will be and who will be using it. There is no specific operatingsystem which can be called “the best” overall, and since most currentoperating systems share most common and advanced features there is muchdebate on the topic. A few of the most popular operating system, theirpros and cons, and some of their best uses are described below.
Microsoft Windows Pros:
The largest library of programs and applications. Some commercial games work only with Windows and DirectX. Almost all hardware has drivers which are compatible with Windows.
Most widely used.
Cons:
Prone to viruses, spyware, and adware if proper steps nottaken such as installation of internet security software, which reducesperformance speed. Requires regular maintenance to avoid system errors and reduced performance. Even with maintenance, issues can slowly accumulate requiringa re-installation of Windows to restore performance and fix softwareissues. Purchasing a Windows license/install disk can be relatively expensive Windows Vista, the most recent version of Windows, has high system requirements.Notes:
Windows Vista
, the most recent consumer version ofWindows, has relatively high system requirements compared to itsWindows XP and other operating systems. There are also other issues,such as some software and hardware incompatibilities or frequentsecurity confirmations, which are causing many individuals andbusinesses to continue using the older Windows XP. The two most common versions of Windows are Windows XP andWindows Vista. Vista, although it has some issues, does have some newfeatures such as search-as-you-type search and a 3D-accelerateddesktop, features up until now only found in Mac OS X and some versionsof Linux. With the introduction of Virtual-machine software, Windowshas become a popular add-on for Mac and Linux in order allow thosecomputers to support Windows-only software or hardware when needed. The Windows market share has seen some decrease in recent years and months.Best uses:
Gamers People who must use Windows-only software for work or school. People or businesses looking for an inexpensive computer yet do not have the ability to use Linux.
Mac OS X Pros:
Relatively simple and intuitive interface with many advanced features.
Not virus or malware prone, generally: there are no Mac OS Xviruses in the wild, and with its UNIX base, it is fairly resilient.There are a small number of trojans (malicious software) which havebeen known to take effect through applications running in Mac OS X,though they are almost always found on illegal-content-based websitesand are not of significant concern. Second-largest selection of software, with many high-qualityMac-only programs in existence, such as those found in iLife. Althoughat one point software for certain tasks were not Mac-compatible, allsoftware is now either Mac-compatible or has an equivalent that is.Most advanced games have also recently became compatible with Mac OS X. Reliable and high performance.
Cons:
Limited to Apple-manufactured hardware. Some hardware does not have Mac-compatible drivers, thoughthe number of this hardware has recently become small and negligible. It can be difficult to do certain cross-platform networkhardware sharing for a Mac OS X based computer in a Windows network orvisa-versa. For example, a printer’s Mac driver may not supportcross-platform printing to a Windows-connected printer, and replacementdrivers may or may not exist. Smaller library of applications in comparison to Windows.
Notes:
Macs occupy the medium-range to high-end computer marketand as such are not sold for the same prices of some low-end PC brands(e.g. the low-end Mac Mini costs $600 USD yet many mainstream low-endPC brand desktops can be purchased for around $400-500). As a result,Macs are popularly considered to be more expensive than PCs, howeverMacs have been shown to have competitive pricing to comparable PCs(e.g. the Lenovo Thinpad X300 costs about $2,500 while the MacBook Airruns between $1,800 and $2,700 and outperforms the Thinkpad, or theDell XPS One prices at about $150 higher than a comparable iMac.Additioanally, the following factors can cause the total price ofowning a Mac to be even less compared than that of a PC: Apple iWork isrelatively inexpensive compared to Microsoft Office, PCs experiencehardware or software failures more frequently than Macs, increasingservice and replacement costs, Macs do not require the frequentlyexpensive internet security software subscriptions. Though Mac OS X suffers from relatively very few hacks,security holes in Mac OS X do exist, just like in any other operatingsystem. Also like in other operating systems, they are fixed withsoftware updates upon their discovery.
With a relatively low market share compared to Windows, thereare still individual programs which are only Windows compatible.However, virtual machine software with a Windows installation orcompatibility layer software can allow those programs to run even on aMac. The Mac has seen significant market share increases inrecent years and months, something which has also increased the amountof Mac-compatible software.
Best uses:
Students who are not required to use Windows-specificsoftware (though Windows can easily be installed to use Windowssoftware). A recent study indicated that the number of Americanstudents intending to purchase Macs has neared that of Windows-basedPCs.
Home users looking for an easy and reliable computing experience who are willing to pay more than low-end PC prices. Graphic designers and photographers. Scientists.
Linux and other UNIX-based Pros:
Low number of viruses and other malware, similar to Mac OS X
Usually free Large selection of Linux distributions to choose from.
Has a large amount of free and open source software equivalents to commercial Windows and Mac software More easily customizable Can run many Windows programs with the use of a compatibilitylayer such as Wine. (Programs such as Cedega can be used to run manyWindows games)
Reliable with good performance and low requirements.
Cons:
Advanced use and installation of some software may requiremore advanced knowledge than is required for use of Windows and Mac.
Many commercial programs do not support Linux Small commercial game libraryNotes:
There are a few main types of Linux: Debian, Fedora, RedHat, and SUSE. Ubuntu, a type of Debian, is highly popular among homeusers, as is SUSE, to a lesser extent. Fedora is more popular amongbusinesses. There are many other (non-Linux) UNIX-based operatingsystems (with the same UNIX base as Linux), including Mac OS X andSunOS (which are based on Free-BSD). There are also some UNIX-likeoperating systems.
Through customization and software like Beryl, Linux can bemade to have advanced desktop effects similar to Aero on Windows Vistaor Aqua on Mac OS X. “Dependency hell” can make installation of certain programs on Linux difficult even for advanced users.Best uses:
Experienced computer users looking for a good, free operating system. Businesses looking for reliable and affordable computing, solong as they do not need Windows-only software and have a competent ITmanager.
Bottom line Though there is no one clear best operating system, each does haveits advantages and disadvantages, and different people will be bestusing different ones. Microsoft Windows is the most common operatingsystem and is a reasonable choice for most people. Mac OS X issecond-most popular (and gaining market share) and is an excellentoperating system for those who can purchase a Mac. Linux is a very goodadvanced operating system available for free and is recommended forexperienced users.
The best desktop operating system to use depends on what its intendeduse will be and who will be using it. There is no specific operatingsystem which can be called “the best” overall, and since most currentoperating systems share most common and advanced features there is muchdebate on the topic. A few of the most popular operating system, theirpros and cons, and some of their best uses are described below.
Microsoft Windows Pros:
The largest library of programs and applications. Some commercial games work only with Windows and DirectX. Almost all hardware has drivers which are compatible with Windows Most widely used.
Cons:
Prone to viruses, spyware, and adware if proper steps nottaken such as installation of internet security software, which reducesperformance speed. Requires regular maintenance to avoid system errors and reduced performance. Even with maintenance, issues can slowly accumulate requiringa re-installation of Windows to restore performance and fix softwareissues. Purchasing a Windows license/install disk can be relatively expensive Windows Vista, the most recent version of Windows, has high system requirements.Notes:
Windows Vista
The most recent consumer version of Windows, has relatively high system requirements compared to itsWindows XP and other operating systems. There are also other issues,such as some software and hardware incompatibilities or frequentsecurity confirmations, which are causing many individuals andbusinesses to continue using the older Windows XP. The two most common versions of Windows are Windows XP andWindows Vista. Vista, although it has some issues, does have some newfeatures such as search-as-you-type search and a 3D-accelerateddesktop, features up until now only found in Mac OS X and some versionsof Linux. With the introduction of Virtual-machine software, Windowshas become a popular add-on for Mac and Linux in order allow thosecomputers to support Windows-only software or hardware when needed. The Windows market share has seen some decrease in recent years and months.Best uses:
Gamers People who must use Windows-only software for work or school. People or businesses looking for an inexpensive computer yet do not have the ability to use Linux.
Mac OS X Pros:
Relatively simple and intuitive interface with many advanced features.
Not virus or malware prone, generally: there are no Mac OS Xviruses in the wild, and with its UNIX base, it is fairly resilient.There are a small number of trojans (malicious software) which havebeen known to take effect through applications running in Mac OS X,though they are almost always found on illegal-content-based websitesand are not of significant concern. Second-largest selection of software, with many high-qualityMac-only programs in existence, such as those found in iLife. Althoughat one point software for certain tasks were not Mac-compatible, allsoftware is now either Mac-compatible or has an equivalent that is.Most advanced games have also recently became compatible with Mac OS X. Reliable and high performance.
Cons:
Limited to Apple-manufactured hardware. Some hardware does not have Mac-compatible drivers, thoughthe number of this hardware has recently become small and negligible. It can be difficult to do certain cross-platform networkhardware sharing for a Mac OS X based computer in a Windows network orvisa-versa. For example, a printer’s Mac driver may not supportcross-platform printing to a Windows-connected printer, and replacementdrivers may or may not exist. Smaller library of applications in comparison to Windows.
Notes:
Macs occupy the medium-range to high-end computer marketand as such are not sold for the same prices of some low-end PC brands(e.g. the low-end Mac Mini costs $600 USD yet many mainstream low-endPC brand desktops can be purchased for around $400-500). As a result,Macs are popularly considered to be more expensive than PCs, howeverMacs have been shown to have competitive pricing to comparable PCs(e.g. the Lenovo Thinpad X300 costs about $2,500 while the MacBook Airruns between $1,800 and $2,700 and outperforms the Thinkpad, or theDell XPS One prices at about $150 higher than a comparable iMac.Additioanally, the following factors can cause the total price ofowning a Mac to be even less compared than that of a PC: Apple iWork isrelatively inexpensive compared to Microsoft Office, PCs experiencehardware or software failures more frequently than Macs, increasingservice and replacement costs, Macs do not require the frequentlyexpensive internet security software subscriptions. Though Mac OS X suffers from relatively very few hacks,security holes in Mac OS X do exist, just like in any other operatingsystem. Also like in other operating systems, they are fixed withsoftware updates upon their discovery.
With a relatively low market share compared to Windows, thereare still individual programs which are only Windows compatible.However, virtual machine software with a Windows installation orcompatibility layer software can allow those programs to run even on aMac. The Mac has seen significant market share increases inrecent years and months, something which has also increased the amountof Mac-compatible software.
Best uses:
Students who are not required to use Windows-specificsoftware (though Windows can easily be installed to use Windowssoftware). A recent study indicated that the number of Americanstudents intending to purchase Macs has neared that of Windows-basedPCs.
Home users looking for an easy and reliable computing experience who are willing to pay more than low-end PC prices. Graphic designers and photographers. Scientists.
Linux and other UNIX-based Pros:
Low number of viruses and other malware, similar to Mac OS X Usually free Large selection of Linux distributions to choose from.
Has a large amount of free and open source software equivalents to commercial Windows and Mac software More easily customizable Can run many Windows programs with the use of a compatibilitylayer such as Wine. (Programs such as Cedega can be used to run manyWindows games)
Reliable with good performance and low requirements.
Cons:
Advanced use and installation of some software may requiremore advanced knowledge than is required for use of Windows and Mac.
Many commercial programs do not support Linux Small commercial game libraryNotes:
There are a few main types of Linux: Debian, Fedora, RedHat, and SUSE. Ubuntu, a type of Debian, is highly popular among homeusers, as is SUSE, to a lesser extent. Fedora is more popular amongbusinesses. There are many other (non-Linux) UNIX-based operatingsystems (with the same UNIX base as Linux), including Mac OS X andSunOS (which are based on Free-BSD). There are also some UNIX-likeoperating systems.
Through customization and software like Beryl, Linux can bemade to have advanced desktop effects similar to Aero on Windows Vistaor Aqua on Mac OS X. “Dependency hell” can make installation of certain programs on Linux difficult even for advanced users.Best uses:
Experienced computer users looking for a good, free operating system. Businesses looking for reliable and affordable computing, solong as they do not need Windows-only software and have a competent ITmanager.
Bottom line Though there is no one clear best operating system, each does haveits advantages and disadvantages, and different people will be bestusing different ones. Microsoft Windows is the most common operatingsystem and is a reasonable choice for most people. Mac OS X issecond-most popular (and gaining market share) and is an excellentoperating system for those who can purchase a Mac. Linux is a very goodadvanced operating system available for free and is recommended forexperienced users.
