Which one is better? Mac, Ubuntu (Linux) or Windows?

Question

It's just a silly survey... may cause lots of debate. But seriously guys, what do you think?

➊ Which one is the best for Desktop? And Why?
➋ Which one is the best for the Server? And Why?
➌ For the average people (who has a basic computer knowledge and who also try to reduce the budget when buying a computer) out there, for daily use, what OS will be your suggestion?
➍ For the noobs (who has no computer knowledge but want to learn about the basic of using a computer in everyday life), what OS will you suggest?

Answer 1

Overall a Linux based platform can certainly perform most of the tasks equally as well as a Windows based platform using the likes of Ubuntu and its derivative distros. However Linux does have its limitations with some applications and in particular gaming. For example I retain a partition with XP on to run specific applications which cannot be adapted through a Windows compatability layer such as Dreamweaver CS5, Office 2007 etc.

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm



1/4 Best for Desktop and User Friendly Linux Mint 10 Main Edition

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mint



2 Best for Server CentOS or Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Server Edition

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=centos

http://www.ubuntu.com/server



3 If you want a staightforward broadly compatible Operating System then it has to be XP which can be picked up for next to nothing these days





LUg.

Answer 2

It really depends. My mother-in-law is over 60 and very frugal, so she runs Linux and has no problems. She's not a technical person (she's an interior designer), but she took the time to learn and is happy with it. As a general rule, the user interface issues come down to how willing the user is to cope with change and to learn something new.



I do tech support. At this point I lean toward Mac OS for the desktop. Why? Because even with Windows 7 there are driver issues. It's incredibly frustrating. Since Apple controls the hardware and the software, Macs tend to be more reliable.



Definitely Unix on the server side. More scalable, more flexible, and more powerful. Plus if you use Linux, you don't have to deal with licensing issues.

Answer 3

Well... Ubuntu can fit all of those!



1. Ubuntu has a really good looking and user friendly GUI. There are a lot of programs available for daily use; such as for office suite, multimedia players, video editors, graphics editor, photo manager, browsers, email-chat clients, little games etc - what do you need more? And it is free of cost! Apart from these, you don't need any kinds of antivirus or you don't have to worry about the defragmentation. It works nicely without those!



2. Linux is undoubtedly the best player in this case.



3. As I said earlier, Ubuntu is free of charge with all of its softwares, so the budget of buying a computer will be much more less than buying a computer with Windows and Mac. Also any person with basic computing knowledge can drive Ubuntu, it's really a no big deal!



4. Who does not have any previous knowledge on computer, any of the Operating Systems can be helpful for him. If you trained him with Ubuntu/Mac in the first place, then Windows will seem to be hard for him as he does not know about Windows! So any Operating System will fit in this criteria. But as a long time Ubuntu User, I'll suggest for Ubuntu ;-) .

Answer 4

Windows for everything (well in my circumstances)



EDIT: Also my $1500 PC will spank; I mean spank a $3000 Mac

Saying that I really like Macs and my first propper useful computer was a Macintosh Classic; if money was no objection I'd would like to own a top - top of the line Mac (which is just an X86 Intel PC anyway meh) before someone out nerds me I know about Hackintosh.



1) Lots of applications, familiar development environment - most software - pre-compiled in most cases - support for most hardware eg GFX cards or capture cards.

2) Server 2008 ~ up ~ why? all my apps run by default on a windows server environment - Education sector.

3) Windows 7 ~ again because all your apps you find online that PC magazine you just picked up; 99% of that software will be for Windows. A store bought PC will ship with a lite-Windows 7 version by default thus you already have the software.

4) hmm again Windows 7 - most tech support won't help you if your using Linux though maybe MAC if you ring up to troubleshoot your ADSL router; Most hardware manufactures will only help solve issues on a Win machine - even if drivers and software are availabe for Linux.

Answer 5

1) Windows is the best for desktop because its efficiency and easy to use. Although there are some problems with virus, spyware, malware but it can adapt with variety software and hardware.

2) Windows usually the good one for server but most of server today are using Linux instead because its security, flexibility and rarely having problem.

3) For average people, Windows always the best choice for them. The thing is people can buy their version which is suitable for their needs and for their pockets too, not like Mac (iOS) has 1 version only with high requirement for hardware.

4) Windows is really for the beginner with friendly interface and easy to interact, if you want to use iOS or Mac, you should have some required knowledge.

Answer 6

1) Mac. I find once you get used to it, it's easy to use, great looking, customizable (Despite what people say) runs fast and you don't have to worry about defragging it or checking it for viruses all the time (Although there is the occasional virus out there but personally, I have never come across one).



2) I can't really answer that one based on experience but I would have though it would've been windows... (Don't hold me to that one)



3)Linux Ubuntu is great for a person on a budget and is easy to learn and use, however the average person usually strays from the unfamiliar so they wouldn't choose a linux distro generally. Also the fact that they have to create their own bootable iso disk scares people off (even though you can get free disks sent to you but anyway) Like a mac os, linux doesn't pick up many viruses and doesn't need defragging, runs fast ect but sometimes has its issues that are easy enough to google on how to fix anyway.



4)Windows because although its easy to pick up a virus and a n00b would probably end up stuffing something up, it's the best place to start off and once you learn how to use windows, you can use any operating system really.

Answer 7

1) Desktop > MAC and Windows depending upon use, desktop Pc for use of all purpose but not administered by an engineer would be fine as it wont require regular inspection as these OSs are better stable. e.g. most home PC and etc.



2) Server > Linux are the best servers as they can be self programmed for highest performance and highest efficiency but only if its well programmed by a trained engineer. e.g. NASA's super computer is a Linux.



3) Average people > Windows, can choose the cheapest combinations of hardwares and softwares to do you job..



4)Again Windows would be best for learning fresh, as gives you many open answers.

Answer 8

1 = mac clearly it's the best looking system.

2 = server would be linux. Linux is extremely powerful compared to windows and mac.

3 = windows is a basic knowledge system, And doesn't require really much. But there are many viruses but mac is not cheap, but mac would actually be the best.

4 = it's widows. Mac is the most advanced system and Linux is very programmable.

Answer 9

It all is about what you want to do with it. A mac, you have access to superior (in my opinion) photo, music and video editing software. The layouts of where things are and how things work make sense.



Windows is easy. Someone who has no real idea where things are or what do can find stuff. There is so much software that it is stupid.



Linux. You are in complete control. Not for the novice user, but if you posses the skills, it is highly rewarding.

Answer 10

i've got run all 3 and prefer Linux to Mac OS. even with the undeniable fact that, as you assert, there's a loss of help for advertisement apps decrease than Linux. Mac OS is Unix-based. it fairly is equipped upon BSD, meaning that mutually as i will use the terminal, the countless instructions are in basic terms different adequate to tension me nuts. to illustrate, you have different switches for issues like 'playstation '. the biggest disadvantage while it comprises Macs, IMO, is they value a lot. you're paying a top classification for the OS. even with the undeniable fact that, i bought the backside Mac Mini and upgraded it to 4GB of RAM and a 500GB complicated tension for decrease than $2 hundred.00. It nonetheless value greater advantageous than an identical workstation, even with the undeniable fact that it fairly is not a foul little device. The hardware artwork became into an ordeal - commonly i will swap out RAM and HD in decrease than 10 minutes, yet this took almost an hour. yet, like I suggested, it fairly is a outstanding little device. i've got not got any courtroom situations with Vista. I surely have it engaged on 3 machines and particularly like it. My Vista field is my significant device. on your case, if Vista isn't an selection, i could advise getting a low cost Mac to permit you to run advertisement apps.