Windows vs Mac vs Linux

[Lipnitia]

Before you start debating which of these OS' works the smoothest and which is 'superior to the others', read the Opening Post.

OK, N.S.G., I can bet you a million dollars that this topic has been brought up here before, yet I did not notice any threads in which posting wouldn't be considered grave-digging. Let's just get straight to the point: Which Operating system do you use, Which you Prefer and Why? State your Version/Distribution (if you have Linux like me).

Personally, I am a Linux Mint "Rebecca" 17.1 user, and couldn’t be happier with my operating system, simply because it has a simple GUI, all the features you need (LibreOffice, GIMP, Banshee, Thunderbird, Bluetooth) and everything runs smoothly. Until later last year, I considered myself a Windows user through and through. I think I've used nearly all the versions throughout my lifetime: 3.1, 95, 98 (<3), 2000, Millennium Edition (D:), XP (<3), 7 (<3). When mainstream support for 7 ended, I had no choice. Either another OS or 8/8.1. I chose another OS. I never considered myself a fan of Apple products, so I thought Linux would be a wise choice. I took a shot at it, found the one I feel like fits me best and BOOM! Linux Mint has been installed.

Now I'll just leave it to you guys! Enjoy!

[Torisakia]

¿Por qué no los tres?

[Mienon]

Before you start debating which of these OS' works the smoothest and which is 'superior to the others', read the Opening Post.

OK, N.S.G., I can bet you a million dollars that this topic has been brought up here before, yet I did not notice any threads in which posting wouldn't be considered grave-digging. Let's just get straight to the point: Which Operating system do you use, Which you Prefer and Why? State your Version/Distribution (if you have Linux like me).

Personally, I am a Linux Mint "Rebecca" 17.1 user, and couldn’t be happier with my operating system, simply because it has a simple GUI, all the features you need (LibreOffice, GIMP, Banshee, Thunderbird, Bluetooth) and everything runs smoothly. Until later last year, I considered myself a Windows user through and through. I think I've used nearly all the versions throughout my lifetime: 3.1, 95, 98 (<3), 2000, Millennium Edition (D:), XP (<3), 7 (<3). When mainstream support for 7 ended, I had no choice. Either another OS or 8/8.1. I chose another OS. I never considered myself a fan of Apple products, so I thought Linux would be a wise choice. I took a shot at it, found the one I feel like fits me best and BOOM! Linux Mint has been installed.

Now I'll just leave it to you guys! Enjoy!

You didn't need to switch from Windows 7 yet. The end of mainstream support means basically nothing. extended is still happening, so you're still safe from viruses and the like.
I my self use Windows Vista, but I may switch t 7 when I can get enough money for an install disc. I've fooled with Linux a little, but mainly because of games, I've stayed on Windows.
Oh, and I won't even CONSIDER Apple. It's just too damn expensive and a lot of programs don't run on it.

[Lipnitia]

¿Por qué no los tres?

Triple Boot? Interesting.

[Lipnitia]

Before you start debating which of these OS' works the smoothest and which is 'superior to the others', read the Opening Post.

OK, N.S.G., I can bet you a million dollars that this topic has been brought up here before, yet I did not notice any threads in which posting wouldn't be considered grave-digging. Let's just get straight to the point: Which Operating system do you use, Which you Prefer and Why? State your Version/Distribution (if you have Linux like me).

Personally, I am a Linux Mint "Rebecca" 17.1 user, and couldn’t be happier with my operating system, simply because it has a simple GUI, all the features you need (LibreOffice, GIMP, Banshee, Thunderbird, Bluetooth) and everything runs smoothly. Until later last year, I considered myself a Windows user through and through. I think I've used nearly all the versions throughout my lifetime: 3.1, 95, 98 (<3), 2000, Millennium Edition (D:), XP (<3), 7 (<3). When mainstream support for 7 ended, I had no choice. Either another OS or 8/8.1. I chose another OS. I never considered myself a fan of Apple products, so I thought Linux would be a wise choice. I took a shot at it, found the one I feel like fits me best and BOOM! Linux Mint has been installed.

Now I'll just leave it to you guys! Enjoy!

You didn't need to switch from Windows 7 yet. The end of mainstream support means basically nothing. extended is still happening, so you're still safe from viruses and the like.
I my self use Windows Vista, but I may switch t 7 when I can get enough money for an install disc. I've fooled with Linux a little, but mainly because of games, I've stayed on Windows.

I'm still glad I installed Linux, because there was a major problem with the amount of RAM the system took. Now it's light like a feather lying on my hard drive.

[Lipnitia]

Before you start debating which of these OS' works the smoothest and which is 'superior to the others', read the Opening Post.

OK, N.S.G., I can bet you a million dollars that this topic has been brought up here before, yet I did not notice any threads in which posting wouldn't be considered grave-digging. Let's just get straight to the point: Which Operating system do you use, Which you Prefer and Why? State your Version/Distribution (if you have Linux like me).

Personally, I am a Linux Mint "Rebecca" 17.1 user, and couldn’t be happier with my operating system, simply because it has a simple GUI, all the features you need (LibreOffice, GIMP, Banshee, Thunderbird, Bluetooth) and everything runs smoothly. Until later last year, I considered myself a Windows user through and through. I think I've used nearly all the versions throughout my lifetime: 3.1, 95, 98 (<3), 2000, Millennium Edition (D:), XP (<3), 7 (<3). When mainstream support for 7 ended, I had no choice. Either another OS or 8/8.1. I chose another OS. I never considered myself a fan of Apple products, so I thought Linux would be a wise choice. I took a shot at it, found the one I feel like fits me best and BOOM! Linux Mint has been installed.

Now I'll just leave it to you guys! Enjoy!

I've fooled with Linux a little, but mainly because of games, I've stayed on Windows.

Well, I don't play any games so I guess Linux suits me well.

[Mienon]

I'm still glad I installed Linux, because there was a major problem with the amount of RAM the system took. Now it's light like a feather lying on my hard drive.

How much RAM did you have? Unless you had only 1 or 2 gigs (depending on if you had 32- or 64- bit) 7 shouldn't have been an issue.

[Lipnitia]

I'm still glad I installed Linux, because there was a major problem with the amount of RAM the system took. Now it's light like a feather lying on my hard drive.

How much RAM did you have? Unless you had only 1 or 2 gigs (depending on if you had 32- or 64- bit) 7 shouldn't have been an issue.

4 gigs of RAM and 11 gigs free space,

[Lipnitia]

I'm still glad I installed Linux, because there was a major problem with the amount of RAM the system took. Now it's light like a feather lying on my hard drive.

How much RAM did you have? Unless you had only 1 or 2 gigs (depending on if you had 32- or 64- bit) 7 shouldn't have been an issue.

It's just that I customized the hell out of it, including system sounds, themes, desktop icons, and many more, and until I replaced it along with the installation of Linux my CMOS battery was dead.

edit: typo

[Aelex]

Well. It's simple.

[Emelinia]

I have always been a Windows user, from Windows 98 to Windows 8.1. I've stuck with Windows because it has always worked for me and has never given me any problems. It runs all of my applications (Adobe Creative Suite, OpenOffice, iStudiez Pro..) and supports so much more.

However, I have flirted with Macs and Ubuntu before. I use OS X whenever my parents can't figure out how to do something like installing their 6th printer this year. OS X has a very smooth and refined interface. What prevents me from jumping ship is the cost of a Mac. I can grab a decently performing PC for much less. When I had an aging laptop a few years back, I used Ubuntu. I loved how it was ready to work instantly after logging in. No waiting for things to load like in Windows land. Sadly, it couldn't run Adobe without WINE and dual booting was just too much of a pain.

Overall, I choose Windows for its value and vast application support.

[The Blaatschapen]

For gaming I use Windows.

For my RL job I use Linux, currently Debian, but I'm known to use Ubuntu as well.

For NS I use both. Yes, I NS on my job (but not that much, mostly killing spambots and urgent matters).

[New Reutlingen]

Windows is great if you're looking to play Vidya... and catching viruses.
Mac is great if you're trying to do work... and trying to look like a hipster.
Linux is great for freedom and "muh GNU"... and being essentially useless for mainstream software.

[Trotskylvania]

There is a right answer here.

It's Plan 9 from Bell Labs *nods*

[Skappola]

I strictly use Windows (Currently 7, considering an upgrade to 8.1), because it does what I need it to do. Neither Linux nor Mac provide a comparable selection of video games, Windows has good first-party software for office work, and self-built windows computers are generally both faster and cheeper than Macs. I also stay away from Linux because it just doesn't have enough software compared to its competitors.

I will say that Macs are great for video editing and art projects. Windows really can't compare.

[Trotskylvania]

I strictly use windows, because it does what I need it to do. Neither Linux nor Mac provide a comparable selection of video games, Windows has good first-party software for office work, and self-built windows computers are generally both faster and cheeper than Macs. I also stay away from Linux because it just doesn't have enough software compared to its competitors.

I will say that Macs are great for video editing and art projects. Windows really can't compare.

Maybe circa 2000. But the idea that you get any better performance for video or art projects on OS X now is pure marketing. Adobe Creative Suite works just as well on Windows as it does on OS X. The same for nearly all cross platform art programs.

[Geanna]

Before you start debating which of these OS' works the smoothest and which is 'superior to the others', read the Opening Post.

OK, N.S.G., I can bet you a million dollars that this topic has been brought up here before, yet I did not notice any threads in which posting wouldn't be considered grave-digging. Let's just get straight to the point: Which Operating system do you use, Which you Prefer and Why? State your Version/Distribution (if you have Linux like me).

Personally, I am a Linux Mint "Rebecca" 17.1 user, and couldn’t be happier with my operating system, simply because it has a simple GUI, all the features you need (LibreOffice, GIMP, Banshee, Thunderbird, Bluetooth) and everything runs smoothly. Until later last year, I considered myself a Windows user through and through. I think I've used nearly all the versions throughout my lifetime: 3.1, 95, 98 (<3), 2000, Millennium Edition (D:), XP (<3), 7 (<3). When mainstream support for 7 ended, I had no choice. Either another OS or 8/8.1. I chose another OS. I never considered myself a fan of Apple products, so I thought Linux would be a wise choice. I took a shot at it, found the one I feel like fits me best and BOOM! Linux Mint has been installed.

Now I'll just leave it to you guys! Enjoy!

Windows 7 - Refused to upgrade to 8 & 8.1. Though was fun to watch Microsoft scramble when their stocks took a hit following that charade. Windows 10 - I was going to wait and see, and it appears like they've gone back to the familiarity of Pre-Windows 8, and fused some features from 8. So I may upgrade then - may - if it proves to be shit like 8, I'll just switch over to Linux indefinitely. My view on Mac - it can brandish its face with a double-slug, I dare not touch that rubbish.

[Russels Orbiting Teapot]

Windows, mostly because of lack of time to learn how to setup Linux, love of PC games, and being slightly intimidated by the complexity of setting up and working with Linux. I'm pretty computer savvy, but my computer science career aspirations crashed and burned when I failed out of my C++ class due to my brain not being able to handle the complexity involved.

[Libreng]

Windows. It's compatible with most software, does not require an obscene amount of setting up just to make "powerful," is relatively affordable, etc.

[Geilinor]

Windows, I like Win 7 and 10 looks full of win.

[Kaboomlandia]

Pay up.

I'm a Mac.

[Aalmark]

Linux confuses me, as my 90 year old grandfather with Alzheimers disease living in rural Friesland likely is more tech savvy than I am. I've always used Windows, as I'm accustomed to it, it's usually inexpensive, and it seems more user friendly than Apple. That being said, any metaphorical battle between operating systems is retarded, frankly.

[Jrvakiim]

My first experience with a desktop Linux was about 5 years ago when I switched to Fedora and I learned how to use it pretty much through trial and error, especially considering its instability and lack of user friendliness. Since then I have been more or less nomadic with distros (mostly Ubuntu, as well as smaller more ephemeral distros) and occasionally dual booting Windows.
I can't hate you for your choice in software but here's how I feel about each OS:

Windows: tbh, I used to be a Microsoft fanboy until I switched to Linux. Hated Windows 8, but Use 8.1 on my tablet. I am cautiously interested to see what they do with windows 10, not that I'll fully switch

Mac/OSX/IOS: I have used IOS in the past on a regular basis, and I have used IMacs at school (usually running windows though), I havent used OSX enough to have an opinion. I also don't have the money.

Ubuntu: Had been my primary OS for the past few years, I liked unity (after tweaking it) but cant blame anyone for hating it. I like their ambition but would prefer if it helped the greater community instead of going off on their own each time, and if Shuttleworth stopped trying to be Steve Jobs.

Fedora: Switched back to it around F20/F21. Since then I've begun to more or less phase out using nonfree software (still use steam though). Now Using F22 and it finally feels complete, stable, and fully integrated with GNOME.

BLAG: I have also used the 100% Linux-Libre Fedora Based distro BLAG regularly on my laptop. BLAG Linux and GNU was developed by le Brixton Linux Action Group with the admirable goal to "overthrow corporate control of information and technology through
community action and spreading Free Software."

[Confederate Ramenia]

Why aren't you including the BSDs?

[Jrvakiim]

I have tried to test FreeBSD in the past but like Arch Linux I had trouble without a GUI