Windows vs Mac Os X vs Linux vs Others

[remyat]

What are their respective strengths/weaknesses?

I know Windows carries a ton of legacy libraries, but that means it can support your older software, the new and it's widespread.

Mac Os X imho doesn't carry that amount of legacy around making it slender, but it's like you have to adapt to the SO "ways" instead of personalizing it like you can with Windows or Linux. Also, mac people claims it's better for multimedia production, and because of that you see more Macs (especially iMacs) around in workplaces. Is it true? (I think it's just for looks/space but I could be wrong).

Linux isn't quite as widespread as Windows on desktops, but it's even more customizable, as lightweight as you want, plenty of FOSS, lacks gaming (AAA), lacks a bit of support (drivers). I'm talking about desktops here, not servers, but you can say anything you want about server space too.

Others, like Unix, BSD, mobile OS, whatever you want, I'm not that used to them.

I hope you get the idea of what I'm trying to say, I want to know your opinions, get some myths debunked and new perspectives.

BTW I'm realizing this looks like homework :S I swear it's pure curiosity and I'm sorry if my english makes things a little confusing.

 

[colonelciller]

neither windows nor apple OS respect their customers.

windows 8 grants microsoft the right to spy on your hard drive and delete programs.

that said, i still use windows (7) out ofnecessity... certain "professional level" creativity programs only available on windows 7.

 

[Stone Rain]

My brief overview of desktop operating systems:

Windows: Expensive, but works. For a business it was once the only best choice, and might still be. Usually supports legacy software. Has the biggest user base and programs base. The chief reason Windows is the dominant OS is because it is preinstalled. :biggrin:
For out-of-the-box functionality, Windows is terrible. Its' included graphics editor (Paint) is a joke, its' media player for Windows 8 will not even play DVD's, and the "video editor" is also a joke. The bundled browser, currently IE10 is not as bad as its' forerunners, but is still behind the curve. Windows takes up more system resources than the other two here, and tends to be slower on the same hardware, without tweaking.

Mac OSX: My experience is limited. It's more expensive than Windows, but is very nice, fast, modern, and quite secure. Comes bundled with hardware. If you are an artistic type, a recording engineer, or just want a laptop that will last for years and years with little maintenance, a Mac may be right. Out of the box it has decent media capabilities and other programs.

Linux: Free. Runs well on old hardware that cannot support Mac or Windows, but really and truly shines on powerful hardware. Is as close to perfectly secure as it gets, provided you are judicious with your usage. Extremely fast. Contrary to popular opinion, has a large base of programs available, and the user base of tens of millions is a powerful "tech support" option. In my opinion, Ubuntu is the best standard Linux distro, but my personal favorite is Chromium/Chrome OS, which is highly web oriented and lacks some offline functionality, but is startlingly fast and easy to use. In addition, Linux is far and away the most customizable. Out of the box, most distros have competent media support, a very nice office suite, can actually play DVD's, etc. In Ubuntu and Chrome OS (the two distros I use), application installation is more user friendly; they both have "app stores", if you will: the Ubuntu Software Center, and the Chrome Web Store.

BSD: I have never used BSD.

If you are just looking for a machine to read email, watch cat videos, and do some light admin/business work, I recommend Chrome OS: the simplicity and affordability is nice, plus it has the security of a Linux base. For power usage, Ubuntu or Debian Linux is my recommendation.
If you are tied to a piece of software, Windows.
If you want the best customer service, and are OK paying more up front for a payout later, get a Mac.

EDIT: Linux does indeed support gaming, OP. The Steam platform was ported to Linux recently.
Furthermore your point about drivers isn't correct either. I've never ran into a hardware issue with Linux, every single device, even my weird tablet from the Far East was supported as plug-and-play; it just auto-located and installed drivers. Windows on the other hand, has a user-hostile driver support system in some cases, requiring you to *find* and install drivers.

 

[Stone Rain]

It is my understanding that BSD is in some ways faster/more secure than Linux, however, I would think that the uber-tiny usage share would limit its' program availability.

 

[remyat]

Thanks a lot for your answers.

When I was talking about driver support I was thinking of GPUs mainly and peripheral support from manufacturers. Are most drivers developed by the community or the manufacturer cares enough to develop (and maintain) drivers for linux? The community is excelent, not so sure about the manufacturers. And, to be honest, I don't think this is just a Linux issue, if your device is 3-4 years old you may only find drivers for older versions of Windows and then you just pray they work.

About gaming, I was mostly refering to AAA games, those are DirectX. Steam being ported now to Linux is based in OpenGL, and developers don't seem too eager to support both. Anyway I hope Steam gains traction and brings some kind of "freedom" to gamers about their OS. Maybe the new consoles being APUs from AMD can help this, especially the PS4. Intel creating new DirectX extensions may do some harm though.

So you think Mac OS X multimedia advantage is preinstalled software? How about memory management, scheduler, are them superior to those in Windows or Linux? (the question is not directed to you Stone Rain, more like "throwing it to the air" XD)

For example, Photoshop or Premiere performance, it is better in Mac Os X or Windows? (Using same hardware ofc).

 

[ControlD]

I run all three of the operating systems you asked about in the OP, and I suppose they each bring something a little different to the table.

First, if you are a gamer and want to play the latest AAA titles, there is only one choice in operating systems and that is Windows. Macs get a handful of such titles, often much later than Windows, but you can't count on it as a certainty. Linux is even less so. Now that Steam is on Linux what I have seen is that many of the Indie developers are starting to release native Linux ports of games and that is a great thing. There are a bunch of really good Indie games playable through Steam right now (SPAZ, DUngeons of Dredmor, etc.) and I expect to see that number increase.

My experience on running the same application in OS X or Windows is that performance-wise there is very little difference assuming you have relatively recent hardware. The differences are more in the OS itself and how it can help or hinder your workflow. If you like a menu system contained within the application window then you probably prefer Windows. If you like a global menu bar at the top of the screen you probably like OS X. There are any number of differences between the two, and the above is just a superficial example, but it has more to do with how you interface with your computer than how your applications run.

Out of the box I would say OS X has more powerful and useful utility applications than Windows. As long as you are willing to be constrained by mostly proprietary software that is fine. However, I feel that Linux blows them both away in this regard. You get more than just utility apps, you get a fully functional desktop and a full set of working applications. My usage breakdown between the three at home would be something like this: Linux = 80%, Windows = 19%, OS X = 1%. I rarely find a compelling reason to reach for something on OS X if it is available for Linux. Windows is a must for gaming which is about all I use it for.

I have not had any driver issues with any of the three. With OS X you have the benefit of a very closed platform so drivers really are not much of a concern. My AMD video cards have been well supported under Linux and Windows so I have no issues there. I don't have any hardware that doesn't work under Windows or Linux, and that is a dual boot machine.

In the end if you want one OS that will do it all, Windows is probably the logical choice. If you are willing to dual boot or run two systems then I prefer Linux for eveything but gaming, although OS X could fill most of that primary role if you like the interface (which I don't).

 

[Stone Rain]

Thanks a lot for your answers.

When I was talking about driver support I was thinking of GPUs mainly and peripheral support from manufacturers. Are most drivers developed by the community or the manufacturer cares enough to develop (and maintain) drivers for linux? The community is excelent, not so sure about the manufacturers. And, to be honest, I don't think this is just a Linux issue, if your device is 3-4 years old you may only find drivers for older versions of Windows and then you just pray they work.

About gaming, I was mostly refering to AAA games, those are DirectX. Steam being ported now to Linux is based in OpenGL, and developers don't seem too eager to support both. Anyway I hope Steam gains traction and brings some kind of "freedom" to gamers about their OS. Maybe the new consoles being APUs from AMD can help this, especially the PS4. Intel creating new DirectX extensions may do some harm though.

So you think Mac OS X multimedia advantage is preinstalled software? How about memory management, scheduler, are them superior to those in Windows or Linux? (the question is not directed to you Stone Rain, more like "throwing it to the air" XD)

For example, Photoshop or Premiere performance, it is better in Mac Os X or Windows? (Using same hardware ofc).

Actually I installed Ubuntu 12.04 on an 11-year old offbrand desktop not too long ago and it worked fine...in fact a CD drive that hadn't worled under Windows XP mysteriously started working again.

As to peripherals I have never experienced an issue where I even had to look for a driver, regardless of how ancient or obscure the peripheral part. In the drivers field, I actually think Linux bests Windows in many ways.

 

[nemesismk2]

i've only recently (in last 3months) started using ubuntu 12.04 and have been using it more and more without touching my windows 7 pc.