What is the best OS out on the market now

[Scoot]

What is the best OS out on the market now? you views would be great

[paranoidandroid]

I don't personaly think you can say which OS is best, as it really depends on what your requirements are. Though I will offer my personal views on the merits of each one. Not much personal experience of Linux though.

Windows, we live in a Windows world, Apple CEO Steve Jobs has stated this in the past, and it's true. In terms of choice and compatibility for hardware and software Windows can't be beaten, this in turn means things are easier to obtain for your Windows based setup. For areas such as gaming no other OS can compete.

Linux, not only is it free, but also source code for Linux is freely available to everyone. You can run versions of Linux on a PC or a Mac.

Mac Most people argue the case for the Mac OS in terms of security and reliability, although this is a strong point, a properly maintained Windows or Linux setup will offer similar. I personaly think the real strength of the Mac OS is the usability, everything seems more user friendly. You get this same level of usability in the software Apple develops, anyone who has used itunes on Mac or PC will see this. In some respects it looks like Windows Vista is using some of the same user friendly aspects, but until it's launched its hard to tell how similar it will really be.

One thing to also remember is that the Mac OS is different in comparrison to the other two in the respect that the Mac OS runs on a Mac, the hardware and the software are designed by the same people which maybe explains why you tend to get fewer compatibility problem.

I personaly use Macs and PCs, though I do have a preference for Macs. The recent ability to boot Windows on a Mac makes thing interesting for all users, you can have on machine that boots all three OS.

[Scoot]

very nice info there thank you for telling us your thoughts

[paranoidandroid]

No problem, one thing while we are on the subject, I don't like the way that Windows XP has a 'home' and a 'pro' versions. To me the OS you get should be the same regardless of what you might want to do.

[SlothX311]

depends on what you need your computer for......all i do is gaming and internet, so i choose windows

[Captian Connie]

I am a Windows fan... i think the Mac OS X has a ***y looking GUI, but Windows seems more customizable.

[Whatcha]

Well i hate windows to be honest but unfortuntately for my needs i must, hoping to build a linux box this year so i can at least develop on that and leave windows for my gaming.

Just on a point the main reason for disliking windows, is not due to the bugs and so forth but more the power hungry resources. I prefer my win98 where i can tell and see exactly what is running. XP is threaded thourgh so many apps makes it very hard to tell rogue apps or note. Plus the fact that so much of it's system is tied to one another.

[SlothX311]

Originally Posted by Whatcha

Well i hate windows to be honest but unfortuntately for my needs i must, hoping to build a linux box this year so i can at least develop on that and leave windows for my gaming.

Just on a point the main reason for disliking windows, is not due to the bugs and so forth but more the power hungry resources. I prefer my win98 where i can tell and see exactly what is running. XP is threaded thourgh so many apps makes it very hard to tell rogue apps or note. Plus the fact that so much of it's system is tied to one another.

you think windows xp is resource intensive?? wait till vista comes out lol

[SlothX311]

Originally Posted by paranoidandroid

No problem, one thing while we are on the subject, I don't like the way that Windows XP has a 'home' and a 'pro' versions. To me the OS you get should be the same regardless of what you might want to do.

Well, there are some features that Windows XP Professional has that most home users do not need, and will never use. The answer to this was to make two different platforms of the same operating system. This, in turn, makes Windows XP Home cheaper than Windows XP Professional.

XP Home is basically the same thing as XP Pro, other than Pro has the ability to allow for domain login, and VPN...as well as other high end networking support, which most home users don't need.

Just buy XP Home and be happy

[paranoidandroid]

XP Home is basically the same thing as XP Pro, other than Pro has the ability to allow for domain login, and VPN...as well as other high end networking support, which most home users don't need.


Just buy XP Home and be happy

I need those extra features which is why I run XP pro, also the industry I work in means whenever we need to buy new machines we also need them to come with XP pro.

For the full version of each OS (not taking into account upgrades)

Windows XP home £170.99

Windows XP pro £232.99

Mac OS X £79.99

Linux free

So I can't just buy XP home and be happy
Now if there was just one version of XP for all users as there is for Mac OS X and the PC you bought always came with a full version of it, then I would be happy.