If you’ve been hearing a lot about alternate operating systems, you may be thinking about switching when you buy your next PC. Everyone can use each operating system for most things that they’d like to do. But which one will do the job for you?
1. Microsoft Windows. Windows is the default choice for almost anyone purchasing a new computer. Quite simply, it’s easier to use and generally more intuitive than the other two, if only because it’s likely you’ve had a Windows PC before and thus have a basic knowledge of how they work. While Windows is a big target for spyware and viruses, any PC owner who is moderately vigilant about their security and unsafe downloads shouldn’t have much to worry about, and Windows 7 makes this easier than ever.
Plus, using widespread generally international standards for documents is vital if you’re using your PC for any business use. Free software programs like OpenOffice are available and can generally read Microsoft Office documents, but they don’t achieve the level of professionalism that the latest incarnation of Office has. There is also a level of freedom about using software that you won’t get elsewhere, simply because most of the world is using a Microsoft PC and thus most developers focus on programs and games for it.
2. Apple Macintosh. Apple is the buzzword on the street these days, but mostly for their mobile products. Many people have had such a fantastic experience on their iPhones or iPods that they decide they want to buy a Mac as their next computer. A few factors generally put buyers off; namely, Macs are typically more expensive for similar specs than Windows PCs and they’re a new experience, which may turn buyers off at the purchasing stage.
Macs are historically known for being better with design, so artists and musicians should by all means investigate the programs available for use on OSX, especially given that industries like graphic design virtually require employees to have familiarity with it. For normal users, though, it seems like a selling point that you can dual boot Windows and have the best of both worlds; surely if it’s that important to run Windows you should just choose it in the first place. Macs, however, will have less useless software pre-installed on their machines and are typically less likely to fall prey to viruses simply because they have yet to be targeted. They have free customer support from the moment you buy to the moment the computer dies.
But if you know you need Windows software, is it worth paying more for an equally qualified system?
3. Linux. For the computer user that wants complete control over everything on their computer, Linux is clearly the option to choose, with Ubuntu as the most popular beginner installation. It suffers from some of the same faults as the Mac does; mainly, it doesn’t run Windows programs and generally has poorer quality, if free, versions. It is, however, very speedy, and if you install it yourself, comes with virtually nothing preloaded. It is completely your decision to install various different kinds of software. If you don’t use something, you don’t have it cluttering up your OS. Generally, it’s easier to detect viruses and malware when they exist because you have easy access to all of your files, but if you aren’t an IT support expert it can be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate file and spyware. You’ll rarely have to worry about it with Linux, though, because few spammers or hackers focus on it.
Linux, however, is only for those who feel comfortable with extensive amounts of modification and are willing to play with their computer. The system will let you know every time there are updates and you can choose whether to install them or not. For ordinary users, though, the unfamiliar programs, requisite customisation and upgrades, and different interface is probably enough of a turn-off that they will return immediately to the comfort and relative convenience of Windows.
Which operating system would you go for?