what is the best operating system?

Question

what is the best operating system?

Answer 1

Best due to popularity only:



Microsoft Windows, used on 95% of pc's and laptops worldwide.



This has the benefit of being the lead dog in software development. All other software will prefer to be Microsoft compatible or face bankruptcy.



(Maybe in 20 years, they'll work out all the bugs, too.)

Answer 2

The answer depends on your needs. Windows is the best choice if you want the convenience of virtually guaranteed compatibility with just about anything out there. You can walk into any store, and grab a peripheral or piece of software with reasonable assurance that it will work with your system. Microsoft Office is the de facto standard business application suite, so if you need absolute compatibility with your PC at work Windows will most likely be the one for you.



Apple OS X is a fine choice if you work primarily with digital media (photos, video, music) and don't mind having somewhat limited choices in software. Note that major packages are there though, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite. Someone said that OS X is not stable. I disagree, as I have run a minimum of eight applications simultaneously on several occasions with no crashes whatsoever. The latest Apple computers allow you to run both Mac OS X and Windows on the same machine, so you can have the best of both worlds.



Another alternative is Linux. While a great OS, it is the least commercially supported. If you are more of a tinkerer, and don't mind doing a bit of work to tweak the system to your liking, then Linux may be a good choice for you. The vast majority of Linux software (including Linux itself) is free. A good place to start is www.ubuntulinux.org. Again, you can have Windows and Linux installed on the same system, to get the best features of each OS.

Answer 3

Minuet OS. You can fit the entire os on a floppy disk.



And OS X is not stable. If you run 1 app at a time, it is, but even windows is stable taht way. when you try to multi-task, then stuff happens.



I use an IDE, my media player, web browser, instant messenger, an office suite, and various other programs at the same time. I tried this in OS X and after that 3rd app is open, POOF! crashed. This is the reason I use GNU/Linux.



GNU/Linux is free software. Free as in freedom, meaning it respects and maintains the users' freedoms as defined by Richard Stallman. I use it becuase I hate proprietary standards. While there are fewer commercial software out there for it, there are free alternatives to every app you can imagine. Open Office or KOffice for your office suite needs, Kopete or Gaim for instant messenging. Konqueor, Firefox, Opera, or ven Lynx for web browsing, Kdevelop for your IDE, Too many media players to name (kaffeine, juk, amarok, Totem jsut to name a few) The Gimp or Krita for photo editing, Ekiga for video conferencing. There is so much software for GNU/Linux.

Answer 4

Average User - Windows



Because it offer everything for gaming and office and has tons of programs for almost anything not to mention easy to use and very user friendly.



Programmers - Linux



If you are looking to develop high level software Linux might be the best because it is open sourced and versitile not to mention safe.



Just want alternative - Mac



Macs are for people who are sick of windows but may not want to brave linux but want a highly functional and safe OS.

Answer 5

windows: xp is a great operating system, vista I would not buy vista for at least 6 months until they get all the bugs out.

Mac is a great machine it has great graphics, they are multimedia machines.

Answer 6

Get a free Linux 'distribution', which is geared for low-tech people and doesn't need much intricate setup for low virus intrusion capability and stability.



Get M$ Windoze XP Pro or Vista - beware resource intensive! Vista is more secure than XP.

Answer 7

Well for me it's Windows Vista. It has all new features, most secure OS. BUT dang this Vista, it's pretty much expensive. But i will buy Vista when it releases

Answer 8

OS X if you can break from the ball and chain of M$

Answer 9

For stability, ease of use and price, nothing beats Apple's OSX.

Answer 10

The one you are prepared to pay for.

Answer 11

Vista if your pc can handle it