Mac vs. Windows vs. Linux

[Mirage]

Okay guys, here is the big question:

Mac, Windows, or Linux?

My opinion is that Windows and Linux are the leaders. Mac OS X is based on Linux and it shows in some areas. Windows 7 is not noticeably similar to any other major OS. Win7 has massive application support and runs alright. Ubuntu is very pretty looking (:wub:) and works well. It also gives tonnes more functionality in regards to modification. Access to the Linux Terminal proves far more useful then you could imagine.

Feel free to compare two specific versions in your replies (ie. Windows XP vs. Linux Mint).

So, let's hear your opinions! :yeah:

[Blueeyes]

As much as I'd like to say Linux, I'd have to say Windows :(

Simply because, it works. No troubles, and a familiar UI. Yes, there are viruses/bugs/malware out for Windows (and a few for Mac/Linux too) but as long as your not into harmful websites and use some antivirus and anti-spyware solution, you should be fine.

Linux is awesome, don't get me wrong. Lots of distros are available to practically, suit anyone's needs. From XBMCbuntu as a HTPC OS, to StiLatz as a small OS, and to Ubuntu as a fully functional desktop operating system.

I use OSX everyday on my Macbook, as easy as it is to use.. it lacks a few things that Windows has. I bought a Macbook because I wanted to use the Apple OSX and I wasn't familiar with it. It was mostly a curiosity thing. I do love my macbook, but I'm just glad I also have my custom built Windows 7 computer too :D

[CaliforniaMatt]

Windows is my go-to OS. As long as you take care of your PC, Windows is generally trouble free for me. My second favorite OS is OSX- very clean UI, quick, and good integration capabilities. However, it's too much of a sandbox to be an enjoyable OS. I like Linux, but it's not as developed as I want it to be, so I use it for serverside functions and occasionally Chromium.

[Hypers]

The three are completely different fundamentally and by appearance. Macs generally feel quick on sluggish hardware, and is designed to be easy to use. Windows, especially 8, is sometimes quirky but is very practical if used correctly. Linux is definitely the fastest of the three, but isn't designed for the masses. However, in recent years, lots of Linux distros have started making more appealing UIs.


Also Mac OS X is based on/more related to unix...

[CaliforniaMatt]

Not a fan of 8, I prefer XP and 7. XP may be outdated, but it's one helluva OS that is still quite useful.

[jaycee.broham]

I love the new windows 8. c:

[PinkFloyd]

http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/new-macbook-pro-2012-13-SlashGear.jpg

[CaliforniaMatt]

I actually like the look of ChromeBooks more than Macs, the Pixel is awesome!

[TheMatrix]

It's all a matter of preference and convenience. Windows is "the platform" for gaming, because of a long history involving various graphics chip makers, misspecifications(the opposite of specifications), and some unfortunate incidents involving now-bankrupt companies. It goes back to Windows 95 or so, and I won't be going into it here. Microsoft also made the big push for people to develop programs for Windows in the beginning, and people followed since so many people used it by then.

Apple never did that. If you could(and can) afford an Apple computer, you were already pretty lucky. Chances were you only used a few programs anyways(like graphics editing for example), or could write your own if needed(after dropping 5 figures for one in those days, you were probably "savvy" enough to fully use it).

And then there's GNU/Linux. Now Linux is different from the other commercial operating systems because there's no pushing for you yo use it. Rather, if you think you're up for the challenge, then you can download and use your favourite distribution. No big corporation is behind it all. Sure, there's those that help, such as Red Hat, Novell, and such, but it's all really in the hands of the community.
The makers of Linux don't give a flying fuck about whether you like it or not. They really don't. Much of the contributions are done for the contributor themselves, with only the side-benefit of others being able to use it(that's how Linux started out, as a hobby replacement for 386BSD). It was never meant to be a replacement for Windows.

There's so much more I could say about it, but I don't want you to tl;dr.
So I'll say this.

Which do I use? GNU/Linux, openSUSE to be specific. Almost everything I do happens there. I program on it, I do homework on it, I even play a game now and then on it. I like it because it's fast(on a Pentium 4, yes) and usable(for me, anyways). It's less susceptible to malware and crashes, unless you go around running dodgy binaries as root.
But I can use Windows as well. Windows XP, in my opinion, was the best Windows version, I believe. Windows 7 isn't bad, although that's what everybody uses. A bunch of proprietary programs run on it, like Microsoft's Visual Studio(not bad, actually), and Skype(the Linux version is utter crap).
I don't use MacOS because I don't agree with their business practices, and I'm not filthy rich.

Macs generally feel quick on sluggish hardware, and is designed to be easy to use.
Incorrect. MacOS only (is supposed to) run on Apple's hardware. Recent versions probably won't run on anything older than a few models ago.

However, in recent years, lots of Linux distros have started making more appealing UIs.
It's not so much the distributions themselves as it is the UI toolkit projects. Digia(before that Nokia, and before that Trolltech) releases the new Qt versions every now and then with more fanciness and stuff. The GNOME foundation releases GTK.
Then the desktop projects use those libraries to make the desktops that distributions choose to include in their distributions. KDE uses Qt, and is found in most every distribution. GNOME uses GTK, and is also very popular. And so forth.

[CaliforniaMatt]

You should be able to run the most up-to-date OS X version on any Intel Mac. In my opinion, OS X seems to be "fast" because of the delicate hardware optimization and the relatively low backround process count.

[Sugaree]

I quite honestly prefer Linux for the fact that it's an open source platform that I can play with. However, my go-to OS at least 95% of the time is Windows for gaming.

[Cygnus]

I personally prefer Mac since ironically it is a better software developing tool than any other OS, it is also simple to use and I got used to it since five years ago. With more games being compatible as time passes I am liking Mac a lot. Linux comes in second because it is just so open-source, I love it.

[Kacey]

I love both linux and windows. I prefer 8, because of xbox live connectivity. I prefer Xubuntu for linux because of likeness to windows xp. i use them in sync with each other.

[Kevin Bacon]

Oh, the great debate. I can't tell you how many times I've heard this question. :p

Well, Windows is obviously the most common and most well known and comfortable, and has the largest software and hardware support. For an average user, this is a great OS.

OS X is a smooth, clean, easy to use OS which is hard to break, which is nice for normal users.

Linux is what every tech nerd must use at least once to be considered one :p But, Ubuntu for one is a nice OS for basic users with Web, Media, and Office Suite on Install already. Has the least hardware support though.

So, all 3 have pros and cons, so it's up to you.

[Crie]

Mac all the way

[Twilly F. Sniper]

Windows. Macs are easy to use PCs, not meant for gaming. Linux? It's just a bit different. Windows is somewhat coomplicated at times but I find it the most effective OS.

[LuciferSam]

I don't know much about LINUX but I have had experience with Macs and PCs, and I think I can say they both have pros and cons. The way I look at it is that Windows is utilitarian while Mac OS is for the artist (or wannabe artist), what with all the media software and whatnot. It depends on what you're looking for in a computer. Personally I prefer Windows for the needs that I have.

[Jess]

Windows. I've used Macs before, since before I decided to use my laptop I always went on a Mac in one of the campus computer labs (because it had Chrome). But I'm not really used to a Mac. And I've never had experience with Linux.

[Magus]

I use both Windows and Linux. But I went for Linux, because I use to study about computers in general.

And you guys already know what my stance is with Mac (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=146367). Shell out 4 months salary for an OS, which is(half of it) readily available else where, and a crappy hardware?

My opinion is that Windows and Linux are the leaders. Mac OS X is based on Linux and it shows in some areas.
Actually, Linux is made from scratch, and it just behaves like Unix. And OS X was part of the main Unix fork(and it is not related to Linux), and was developed from other OS which were made from past partial Unix systems.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Unix_history-simple.svg