Mac vs Windows vs Linux

[Fragan]

Is Mac, Windows, LInux or other the best operative system?
what do you think?

 

[Spartan Erik]

Linux allocates resources much more efficiently; however I still use Windows primarily for compatibility issues with various software and hardware

 

[Axe_Swipe]

Win/Mac/Linux debate can rage on for eternity. The real question is "Which suits your needs best?" and "Which are you most comfortable with?"

While Mac and Linux are more stable OS's than Windows, the lion's share of software is written for Windows. While major developers are working hard to close that gap for Mac users, it's still not quite there yet and Linux users still get left behind in many respects, even with virtual servers utilities like Wine which don't always work the way you hope it will.

 

[chewett]

yes the systems are mainly for what suits you
if you were to survey 1000 people the answer would be windows as it is the most well known
but then mac is very good for any type of designers
and unix ( or linux) is good for a core programmer

the question is what suits you

 

[clareto]

Linux and Mac are based on the UNIX theory, the theory that has passed tests and serving for at least four decades. so they are for sure great and robust systems. Windows is based on, DOS? Sorry, but I must say that windows is based on some thing that has given to the world more headaches, shame in public and a lot of stress (due to system hangups, BSODs, security vulnerabilities...). As a robust system, I prefer Linux.

Windows has something that any Linux software is still far away from: an easy to learn, consistent and user friendly user interface. But let's see mac. Although they didn't invented the GUI, they have been mastering it for two and a half decades. It doubles the time of a nice windows ui, and its about three times of the first low-end user linux gui. Mac have been the leader and the model to copy when talking about UI. They are the creators and masters in the current glossy look trend, that is being used in Vista (take a look to a video on nytimes, and this article on lifehacker ) and in important linux projects like oxygen and crystal clear. As a system with a beauty and clear UI (that improves productivity), i prefer mac.

But what if you need for tomorrow before sunset an application that gets data from a web service, process it, send a mail with results and show all the results in a desktop application to your boss/father/teacher/whoever?. Hmm, should I do it with QT or GTK libraries? What libraries should I use and what dependences will have my app?. Or should I do it in Objective C?. Well, i definitely would choose the .net framework. Yes, thats windows. Developing applications (web and desktop) with the .net frameworks goes straightforward, in a simple and organized way. And I know that Visual Studio isn't the cheapest tool, but I prefer to open one real IDE, than trying to use and integrate lots of applications that make one task. As a platform which is easy to develop for, I prefer Windows.

I agree: the question is what suits you.

 

[prasad]

Windows ---- and among windows, Windows Vista Ultimate x64 to be more accurate

 

[GamingX]

Let Linux live!!! Well for one it never crashes like Windoze does, secondly you learn something new everyday and you are the master of it....coming to windows, it is not that I completely reject windows since I use it. I use it to run programs that I can't run in Linux (well Ubuntu to be more precise) But I cant stand the hassles of Windoze freezing and always trying to send 'error reports'

 

[shivk]

This is an age old discussion which keeps on running in various forums and arguement never seem to end.
AKAIK the best OS is the one with which the person is most comfortable to carry out his/her task.
Perhaps for GEEKs Linux may be ideal with lots of devlopment tools and lots of things to learn.
For artists/ creative people it is more likely to be MAC
and common people carrying out day today office works, it is Windows.

In my opinoin:
Even though Windows is least stable/ with lots of problem but it is the OS which has maximum acceptance throughout the world. It has maximum number of professionally created softwares to do specific tasks. And of course ease of use is also very good.
Windows is a clear leader in terms of number of user, so I vote for Windows

 

[Theotherside]

Ahhh, the dreaded forum question... Well I think its which suits your needs best. My dad continues to tell everyone how next computer he's going to get a mac every time one of the mac vs pc adverts come on despite the fact he could still be using his old Toshiba laptop with windows 95 and still do everything he does today. For him, I'd advise getting a low end E-machines desktop (windows). Now there are others who a mac just fits easier into their life. People who want a computer you can just plug in and go (sounds nice unless you want to upgrade various specs on your computer). For me, I use windows, mainly because I have a lot of software I would not want to purchase for a mac, much less find replacement software if they don't make it for mac. I do a lot of recording audio and video editing related tasks (I feel the room scream at the fact I use windows) but it does everything fine. Just do research to find the pro's and cons of both (unless that is what this question is for!)

 

[knutico]

well seeing it from every view, Windows wins, even with virus and constant formating, windows wins for all the programs there are available and all good looking stuff, even when mac is the safest one and Linux the free one.

 

[alfren]

well for me i like windows although i haven't tried linux and mac. my vote is for windows

 

[shivk]

well seeing it from every view, Windows wins, even with virus and constant formating, windows wins for all the programs there are available and all good looking stuff, even when mac is the safest one and Linux the free one.

Very true... In fact virus are targetted to windows because windows is popular. Personally I would like to use linux but still i am using windows because its perhaps most easy to use ...
Even though I have used linux for some time but always there are issues (of course not of security or stability) but of latest softwares and tools and many a times you will not get a proper software also.

 

[darkstang]

Very true... In fact virus are targetted to windows because windows is popular. Personally I would like to use linux but still i am using windows because its perhaps most easy to use ...
Even though I have used linux for some time but always there are issues (of course not of security or stability) but of latest softwares and tools and many a times you will not get a proper software also.

Viruses are targeted at windows because the flaws are there and hackers/crackers know they will be there for a long time.

With Linux, the source code is there for all to see. So if there is a problem, it gets fixed before a virus can even be made.

And with Mac... well, nobody really cares about Mac. :hahano: Just kidding. Not really kidding...