Which do you think is better: Apple Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, or Ubuntu Linux?

Question

I was wondering which of the above you like. Please leave ONE and why. Also tell me what operating system you have (Ex: Snow Leopard(mac), 7(windows), Mint(linux) etc.)

Answer 1

For gaming there is XP



For everything else there is Linux



Option One (Full installation/Dual Boot)



How to dual boot Windows XP and Linux (XP installed first)

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm



How to dual-boot Vista with Linux (Vista installed first)

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dualboot_vista_with_linux_vista_installed_first.htm



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 8 Main Edition which is built upon the outstanding Ubuntu 9.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 8 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=44



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 8 (Helena) Installation

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-8-helena



Linux Mint 8 Helena User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/23787138/Linux-Mint-8-Helena-User-Guide



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 8 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation



Linux Mint 8 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive



Option Two (Install Ubuntu inside Windows XP and Vista)



Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 9.10 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu



Ubuntu 9.10 Download

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download



Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Karmic



Linux Mint 7 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed (mint4win is not available for Linux Mint 8)



Linux Mint 7 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38



Linux Mint 7 Gloria User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gloria-User-Guide



Ubuntu 9.10 and Linux Mint 7 can be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive



Option Three (LiveCD)



Here the possibilities are endless as you can try out as many different Linux distros. until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)

http://distrowatch.com/



Major Linux Distributions

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major









LUg.

Answer 2

I use Ubuntu 9.10 (Have extensively used SuSE, Fedora and MS Windows 3.1, 98, XP, Vista - my favourite is SuSE)

I wouldn't say that Ubuntu has a (significantly) steeper learning curve than the others (knowledge of the terminal is not really necessary any more - you couldn't say that 5 years ago - although it is still handy, and I wish I had access to a nice shell on Windows without cygwin bother), and although it doesn't cost anything it is not freeware and it is not cheap; zKing doesn't know what he's talking about, 88% of the world's top 500 supercomputers run Linux. Which operating system is best for you really depends on what you want to do with it; If you want to play expensive graphics-intensive games, you will likely want to stick with Windows; Wine (for running windows apps on linux) is fine if you can get it to work though.

http://www.playonlinux.com might be the answer; check the supported programs (MS Office is among them).

If you enjoy customizing your computer and hacking programs to get them to do exactly what you want and if you like programming, a Linux distribution might be what you have always been looking for! A great feature of many linux distributions is quick & easy access to massive free software repositories. Literally three mouseclicks to install your choice app. I should add here that if you have problems with unsupported hardware on Linux, you can install the Windows driver with ndiswrapper. You may also have to install media codecs, but that's a breeze.

An other thing to think about these days are the evils of DRM. None of that with Ubuntu, and truckloads of this cr*p from OS X and Windows Vista/7. If you choose Ubuntu and open source, you never need to worry about license keys, you can play media/run software when you like, where you like and how you like, and you can rip CDs without having to dodge the Windows® Police Service.



Of course, as far as security is concerned, there is nothing like Microsoft Windows! With Linux (OS X too I should think) you really can get along without Antivirus software (not that I recommend it though - malware for even these systems lurk underground - better safe than sorry). Under 10 viruses have actually been written for Linux that can do your system any damage.



LiveAndLearn: Microsoft is more 'standard'?? That's a joke! Not every program runs on Windows. Some programs will, but it's a real pain, and only if you turn your Windows PC into a UNIX box. Other projects currently produce only bug-ridden betas for Windows. Obviously this is more true for Linux in most areas, because Linux is less popular, but following your logic this should be discounted - "it's not Microsoft's fault that Windoze is insecure, it's because they're more popular!" (paraphrased). You won't find yourself deprived of useful software if you switch to Linux. Oh, and you *should* get tech support; if you don't believe me, buy from Novell or Red Hat. Stop talking rubbish, if you're really an IT pro you are certainly lacking some experience in this area.

Answer 3

Everyone says chooses one and describes it. I will tell you which OSes I am using but I will NOT tell you which is better because the BEST OS is always the one that best meets YOUR needs, not mine or those of the other people who are answering this question.



I am typing this on a Gentoo Linux box. It's Dual Boot with Slackware 13 and in fact I have a Slackware Current (the testing distro) compiling the new kernel 2.6.33-rc7 beside me as I write this. I enjoy digging under the hood. For me it is more fun than most computer games -- it is my computer games. Gentoo recompiles everything when you install it and Slackware is about as close to a vanilla Linux as you are going to get. You can say these are the two most UNIX-like of all GNU/Linux distributions.



Apple Macintosh is a hardware/software combination. It uses Mac OS X which is BUILT on BSD (as Linux is derived from BSD -- Berkeley Standard Distribution Unix which is copyright by the University of California At Berkeley Board of Regents) and can actually run most Linux desktops and many other programs with a simple recompile -- I mean a VERY simple recompile. It is optimized for presentation graphics and does number crunching very well, but it is intended as a hardware/software combination.



Windows is precisely a consumer operating system, and most consumer software is written to be run on it. At the same time their flawed approach to security has made it possible for our multi-billion dollar malware industry to bootstrap itself into existence and their Windows Genuine Advantage still gives false positives.



Ubuntu Linux is a derivation of Debian Linux which is an excellent developers' environment. In some ways Ubuntu is better and I have met "Debian" developers who work on Ubuntu. Its emphasis on usability rather than resemblance to Windows was revolutionary in its time and it is still one of the best Linuxes out there for people who are not interested in computer science



But while I haven't been explicit about it all three are aimed at different users. There is really too little respect for the reality that people have different needs which computers can assist with if they are allowed to. There is NO Panacea OS.

Answer 4

OK let's be serious for a moment.

Mac,OSX is more stable than any Operating System on the market period, No Viruses, Trojan Horses, and all the bad stuff that goes with it.

Windows-7 is the most stable of any operating system Microsoft has ever developed. BUT, it is still proned to all the bad stuff out there, and remembering all PC's have to have, AntiVirus Software, that Mac's don't have to worry about.

Linux is a good Operating System that of course has a learning curve.

For My money I pic Mac........ I own 2 of both 2 Macs and 2 PCs. I have never had to worry about either of my Mac's. I wish I could say that for PC's I simply can't do it.

Answer 5

I have used:

Leopard (Mac)

3.1, 95, 98, XP, and Vista (Windows)

Fedora (Linux)



I currently have:

7 (Windows)

Ubuntu (Linux)



They all have their pros and cons. Mac is fast and Powerful, but can only run on Apple hardware. Windows is easy, widely known and supported, and is great for the general user, but it gets far more viruses and can be slow and buggy. Linux comes in many varieties, is highly customizable, and is free, but it usually requires at least a little terminal use making it not as user friendly.



There is also some personal opinion involved.



In conclusion, my favorite is Windows, although I would like to get better at using Linux.



P.S. Don't call it Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu is not the company that makes Linux, as there is no single company that makes Linux. Ubuntu is a distribution of Linux.

Answer 6

First off, Apple Macintosh is not an operating system. It is a type of computer, that runs the Snow Leopard operating system. Microsoft Windows runs as an operating system on the PC.



And to answer your question, Snow Leopard is definitely the best operating system. It is the safest, and most reliable operating system out of all. It does in fact cost a lot more than Windows, but it is definitely worth the extra money.



But please note, that unlike Windows, Snow Leopard can only be ran on Apple hardware.



Ubuntu, on the other hand, is okay, but only if you don't want to spend any money on an operating system.



This is a very controversial topic. It's something you need to research yourself, and make your own decision on.



EDIT: Please do not switch to Ubuntu unless you really, really can't afford a Windows. Trust me, Ubuntu may be free, but it's free for a reason.

Answer 7

I cant say on mac but I use linux mint 100% and love it everything I need built in ready to go plus the ease of ubuntus packages (lots of them)

Answer 8

Windows for Fck sake

I used All the motherFckrs windows gets all the attacks

but guess what Every one is using Windows

Windows seven (Thank You Microsoft) is the best Affing OS in my professional Opnion

I do not lestin to the **** Apple FckHeads say

They just cann attract those (Mommy I wanna Anew mac for the school_



Any way

if you wanna use ubonto You will be Fcked when it comes to installing some programs since they do not have full support

every single program designed for a computer will work on winodws

other Geeky OS will just need you to know what the hell you are doing

Commands and sht and mount the dev and Eth0 and Eth1 and all kinds of Crab



Business use WIndows

They will say Oh Mac does not get viruses

I say you idiots Because Demons of underground world do not care about it

they wanna hit the big Boy



Sorry Dude

I am just sick of the People WHo do not know what they are talking about



Linux And Unix are the source and need to be managed and configured by skilled trained people

MS will get full support and there is a big industry behind it

Not free forums



Linux and Unix can be used when Budget is concerned I mean when you have no money

since they are free

and they can get the job done too To be fair but not as easy and as standard as Windows Products

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

Snow Leopard. Period. Mac OS 10.6 is stable, reliable, easy to use, and safe. What else are you looking for?!

Answer 11

in windows 7 almost all the applications work.

its easy to operate and its reliable.



Snow Leopard is very useful for presentations and writing documents and spreadsheets.



Linux: i dont know much about it.

Answer 12

windows 7 its cheap easy and no hard parts

you can do so much and it wont eat cpu