PC vs Mac vs Linux
By General Heed
Which is the better OS?
Well, let's start with a background comparison of the three operating systems.
- Windows - Windows is one of the most well known operating systems developed by Microsoft. 9 out of 10 homes and businesses currently use at least one Windows computer. Windows was originally based off of MS-DOS. This line of Windows OS became known as the 9x series. Eventually, all subsequent Windows OS's are based off Windows NT. The most recent WINNT OS would be Windows 7.
- Mac OS X - OS X is an operating system developed by Apple and is currently the 2nd most used OS after Windows. It has less than 20% marketshare. OS X unlike Windows, is actually based off of Unix. Therefore, OS X is considered to be part of the Unix OS family like Linux is. In fact, you can almost consider OS X to be a Linux Distribution.
- Linux - Linux is not actually a single OS, but rather several distributions all based off of the original Unix system. Linux is very popular for servers but has recently found its way to the desktop. It's not as popular as OS X or Windows yet, but it's popularity is rising. Unlike OS X or Windows, Linux is free and open source. There are many distributions of Linux like Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, etc.
- Viruses - In the Mac vs. PC commercials, it was stated that PC's commonly get viruses and Macs do not get viruses. That is untrue because OS X is just as vulnerable to viruses as Windows is. The reason why Windows appears to be more vulnerable is because it literally has more viruses programmed for it. But that doesn't mean the system itself is more vulnerable. Mac OS X has the appearance of no viruses because hackers don't think OS X is worth making viruses for. This is because barely anyone owns a Mac compared to the number of Windows users out there. Therefore, there's not much incentive to program a virus for a Mac. Mac viruses do exist and can affect a mac system just as much as a Windows virus can affect a windows system. There is no hacker proof or virus proof system. Even Linux systems have a few viruses.
- Stability - Many people say that OS X never crashes and is the most stable OS ever. The same can be said about Windows 7. Truth is, Windows XP-7 are the most stable operating systems ever. OS X can crash just as frequently as a Windows OS. In fact, OS X crashes even more when you are running non-Apple approved software such as Adobe Flash or Audacity. Even Steve Jobs admitted that Macs can crash a lot, despite what his I'm a Mac ads have said. The famous BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) on Windows is actually pretty rare now. It's a misconception from older Windows 9x systems (see above). Back during Windows 9x series, stability was actually an issue. However, the switch to Windows NT systems made the OS much more stable and Blue Screens are considered quite rare now. Apple and other Apple fanboys are using the Windows 9x history as an argument against Windows even though those systems have long been discontinued and those problems no longer affect modern Windows systems. As for Linux, it can crash too although it's much more rare than WIndows or OS X. When a Linux crashes, it's called a Kernel Panic.
- Hardware - Normally in a Windows vs Linux comparison, I wouldn't mention hardware too much, but because Mac OS X locks users to Apple hardware, this comparison is necessary. For Windows and Linux, you can choose what you want to install your OS on. There's tons of options from manufacturers like Dell, HP, Acer, Gateway, Lenovo, Asus, and so on. For Mac OS X, you only have Apple. I'm going to use laptops as an example for this comparison because those seem to be very popular right now. Apple only gives you an Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4 GB of RAM and a standard DVD drive on their MacBook Pros. That will cost you about $1,500. That same hardware on the Dell XPS running Windows Vista will only cost you about half of that today. Now, if you want more speed and power, then oh well, you can't on the Mac. Opening up a Mac will void your warranty and violate Apple's EULA. Now with a PC running Windows or Linux, you can have a Quad-Core CPU with over 16 GB RAM and a BluRay Drive all for the same price as a MacBook Pro.
- Software Library - Windows OS has the largest software library than any other OS. This means that the majority of programs, applications, and games out there are meant for Windows. Productivity Suites like Microsoft Office are always available on Windows first. That same version will be released on OS X later on. Many other programs out there are also Windows exclusive. If you're into gaming, you'll need good hardware (see above) and to play more games, you'll need Windows. Many PC games today are meant for PC's running Windows. There's a new line of games called Games For Windows, which is obviously meant for Windows. Many Steam games are also meant for Windows. Only a few games will work on Macs or Linux.
- Usage - There's a common myth that Mac OS X is better and more common for video editing. This is untrue. Almost all video editing programs are multi-platform meaning they work on both Windows and OS X. Linux is an exception. Programs like Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere, Autodesk Avid, and so on all work on both OS's. The only notable video editing program that is only for OS X would be Final Cut Pro. As for application and software development including game development, Windows is definitely the main platform. Many programs today are written in programming languages such as C++, C#, Java, and Visual Basic. While some of those languages work on OS X and Linux, the newer and more common ones are now for Windows only such as Visual Basic and C#. Game development for consoles and PC's are done primarily on a Windows platform for the same reason as above. As for server use, Linux is very common for use in large server systems and super computers. However, Windows is also common for server usage. It depends on preference and the amount of resources someone has. However Linux was originally designed with servers in mind. The server version of Windows, known as Windows Server is also Windows NT based. It's marketshare closely competes with that of Linux. OS X also has a server edition, however it is not very popular and is rarely used mainly because of cost issues. As I've discussed above, Apple software and hardware tend to be very expensive and overpriced.
Comments
i know a couple sites where you can download a virtual OS and open it but ive only seen it on windows...
Mac OS X- http://oreilly.com/windows/archive/PearPC.html
Linux-http://www.pcreview.co.uk/articles/Windows/Run_Lin
after downloading both you can use all operating systems on one computer XDDD
YEAH!!!!-ish
i know a couple sites where you can download a virtual OS and open it but ive only seen it on windows...
Mac OS X- http://oreilly.com/windows/archive/PearPC.html
Linux-http://www.pcreview.co.uk/articles/Windows/Run_Lin
after downloading both you can use all operating systems on one computer XDDD
YEAH!!!!-ish
oh yea i almost forgot, you might want to consider saving both Linux and Mac OS X onto a flash drive (but separate drives)so they dont take up too much memory on your PC good luck and lood guck
YEAH!!!!-ish
Having put-up with the very unstable XP for over 6 years, I took the plunge and switched to 7. Very impressed with it's stability.
As for Linux, everyone has a Linux-powered device somewhere in the home. Linux is the O/S that powers Sky boxes, freeview boxes and many other home devices. My distro of choice is 'PCLinuxOS 2010' mainly because it has better hardware detection than ubuntu-based distros.
You realize that this is a ridiculously simplified view of things, right? I mean, you don't even talk about why the differences exist. You totally gloss over the myths by saying "hurr windows iz great, really" and never bothered to mention that the architecture of Windows lead to so many security issues. And in what universe is Windows even competing against Linux in server-share? Linux is used everywhere BSD isn't (they say the internet runs on BSD and perl). Nobody runs a windows server when they have a bloody choice. They're buggy, insecure, and expensive (when you consider what you're really getting).
Hell, even with the price tag Mac is taking huge chunks of new corporate purchases - ask any (competent) IT manager whether he (or she) would prefer a Mac server over a Windows box; and they will tell you that the Mac box will outperform on a cost basis. That is mostly due to the BSD 'heritage' of OS X - that unix-flavor OS that isn't linux.
And before you complain about how Mac locks people onto hardware, consider that Apple has consistently won award upon accolade upon award for their hardware. For good reason. Besides, good interface and design will outpace pure power for most purposes pursuant to users. And you can just open a mac up and get to using it, without uninstalling the 40GB of cruft the manufacturer decided you would want.
Did you program anything this millennium? Even when building programs for Windows, programmers prefer linux or mac. They just run a virtual machine. And windows is a PAIN to build for, let me tell ya. Linux is not just a supercomputer/big-server-system OS, it's being used in everything, from airline entertainment, to bank servers, to home servers, to cellphones, to netbooks, to desktops. The keyword in Linux is flexibility.
I agree with you that Windows 7 is outstandingly stable. I especially applaud the effort Microsoft put in to make that possible. And I agree that 98% of all 'normal' desktop applications are on windows.
I'd like to point out, though, 98% of that 98%? Utter goddamn crap. If you compare the amount of worthwhile I-would-pay-for-this applications (opensource, freeware, commercial, w/e) available on Mac and Windows, you'd probably lean Mac-wards. Give it a few years, and Linux will be able to compete in that regard too (as it is the choice in consumer grade applications is somewhat anemic, especially when you compare it to Mac's burgeoning ecosystem).
Finally:
Windows may no longer be *utter* crap, and Mac may not be the be all end all, and Linux might not yet be grandma ready, but, for crying out loud: Don't insult our intelligence. Tell us why.
I love my ubuntu 10.10.I will never buy another windows os as long as I live. :)
yawwwn why bother comparing os's the have various applications at which one or the other is better.
Linux was made for servers (go tell that to Linus Torvalds...), there's lots of viruses on Macs (where?), video editing is not commonly done on Macs (non professional vide editing, you mean?) Where do you get your facts?
I like the part when you say:
"Many programs today are written in programming languages such as C++, C#, Java, and Visual Basic. While some of those languages work on OS X and Linux, the newer and more common ones are now for Windows only such as Visual Basic and C#."
Did you forget to mention that Microsoft invented VB and C#?... I'll give you C#, but no one in their right mind is seriously using VB to program. In fact people don't use VB because it's not cross platform. Oh and fun fact, C# was only invented because Sun wouldn't let Microsoft make changes to Java and look, people are still using Java today.
This guy is an idiot!
If you haven't ever used the internet, you probably have never used a linux box, though I think 98% of the US has used the internet, at least once. You know that Microsoft's servers are linux/freebsd and so are Apple's. It shows that they know that their OSes are not superior to Linux. I know the first time I had installed Linux on my laptop the thing was 2 inches thick, yet I brought it everywhere i went for 3 weeks. Linux accounts for almost every OS that is usable, as in the OS on the Nook Color/Tablet, Kindle Fire, Android Smartphone, and almost all servers, also many SMART people's laptops and desktops. I got a great deal on 3 iBook Laptops, with Mac on them, it was crap and I installed Linux, they worked like a dream!!!!!!!!!
any1 who uses macs are noobs
pc users are profesionas
idk about linux
This article is a pretty windows biased - not very impartial and objective. Typical "windows works, so why use the other ones". No, OSX crashes less in most cases, because the drivers for specific hardware and OS are made by the same people, therefore ensuring they work very well together.
Truthfully, all three do have their ups and downs.
Although it leaves Linux and technical features out of the comparison, maybe this test helps when deciding what system to choose: http://www.pc-vs-mac-test.com/
This is a misleading article.
when i see lunix and mac os i think mac and lunix os is batter than xp cz of lunix and mac os anti virus is not working in the lunix and mac
What a stupid article!
tamiran 19 months ago
I am a Windows XP and 7 user.
I tried to convert over to Linux Mint 9 pretty successfully a few months ago, when Mint 9 was out for the first time. I installed it on my Toshiba M300 Laptop (64-bit), and on my office laptop IBM T-40 (32-bit).
Linux Mint 9, based on Ubuntu 10.04 works fine. The most notable benefit is the excellent hardware support. Hardware support, the issue which was the weakness of earlier Linux versions, has now turned to become its strength. Example: HP Laserjet 1010, Huawei E220 HSDPA Modem. They just plug and play, no need to install hardware drivers.
The only annoying fact is that it does not support hibernation. It hibernates but can not be brought back to life.
Its most obvious advantage is that you can omit antivirus, firewall and anti-malware programs altogether, which can take up to 150 MB RAM constantly running in all windows versions. That also frees up valuable processing power.
In everyday usage, I think Linux Mint 9 can only serve at best as netbook OS. Then you would only need to surf the web, manage emails with your web browser, social network with facebook and twitter, play some games on facebook, all with your web browser. I recommend Chromium, the version of Google Chrome for Linux Mint.
Linux offers lots of free software, just choose which software you like from the Software Manager, and off you go, download as you like. Except for office programs, you can cover all your needs just with the Software Manager. Using Wine, you can even install and run many software written for Wndows.
If you want to want to do some office work, Open Office 3.2 is good enough for simple tasks for writing some documents, doing some calculations, or create a small presentation.
But if you intend to use it for regular office works, you are in for a disappointment. The Open Office Writer word processor has some ugly weaknesses: tables are hard to manage, copy and paste from Calc spreadsheet results only an image object, bad picture management (can not be cropped), the same with drawing objects. Try making long quotations for your customer, with price tables, you will end up in frustration like me.
The Open Office Calc spreadsheet software is almost as good as Excel 2003, except for the clumsy automatic suggestion feature when you type text characters will cause you to make mistakes if you don't check and double check the results.
After spending a couple of months using Linux Mint 9 and Open Office 3.2 at home and in the office, I removed it from the office laptop and returned to Windows XP and Office 2007. I strongly suggest you to do the same if your boss starts to feel annoyed by the odd contents of Word and Excel documents that you created in Open Office 3.2 and converted to DOCX and XLSX formats.
At home I still use Linux Mint 9 primarily because I don't need to write serious documents using Open Office.
In my humble opinion, Linux is only a step away from total domination in the desktop PC industry mainly because of lacking a decent Office software. It has conquered the server industry with its low cost, high reliability and stability. It has convinced me with those advantages. Enter a new Office productivity suite better that Open Office, or Open Office with a better version, Linux will be the new ruler of corporate computing.