In today’s article, we will review multiple Operating Systems, pros, cons and uses with a concluded target audience so you can identify which operating system is right for you. This article is for educational purposes.
Today’s list will not stay exclusive to laptops and desktop devices, we will also cover mobile and tablet operating systems.
Desktop and Laptop Operating Systems
1. Microsoft Windows (Windows) Operating System
As of February 2022, Microsoft Windows operating system runs on just under 76% of all laptop & desktop machines, making it the most popular operating system.
Pros
- Windows is by far the easiest operating system to use, their targeted end-users are leisure, business and also PC gamers.
- Setup & configuration couldn’t be easier, with a step-by-step installation wizard with clear instructions.
- Downloading and installing applications is plug & play and requires absolutely zero programming knowledge.
- Windows has the best support for all of today’s popular applications e.g. Netflix, Adobe Creative Cloud, Steam, Origin and many more.
- The game library for Windows is unmatched in any other operating system e.g. all Steam games by default will run on a Windows machine.
Cons
- Windows has poor security and this was even mentioned by Microsoft Developers. Using Windows without an anti-malware application is very dangerous and can lead to a data breach. See What should you do in the face of new technologies and new viruses?.
- Resourcefulness is also a weak point of Windows; this is evident in their latest instalment dubbed “Windows 11” with the following hardware requirements:
- Processor: 1GHz or faster with at least two cores
- RAM: Minimum 4GB
- Storage: Minimum 64GB
- Security: TPM 2.0, UEFI Firmware, Secure Boot capable
As of February 2022, 75.47% of laptop & desktop machines use Windows 10, and the hardware requirements stated will render a good portion of those machines unable to upgrade to Windows 10, hindering their future proof capabilities.
- It is no secret that owning a Windows machine can be expensive, and there are many services that come at a premium for you to get the most out of your machine. Costs can include the Windows license, Office 365, anti-malware software and more.
Conclusion
If you are a leisure, business or gamer, then Windows is the operating system for you with it’s large application and games library at the touch/click of a button. If you prefer open-source operating systems with an advanced terminal and customisable options, then Windows may not be the option for you as it is closed source to it’s end users and the command prompt terminal built-into Windows is not as advanced as a standard UNIX terminal found on Linux and Mac systems (Powershell is an exception).
2. Apple macOS X (Mac/Mac) Operating System
As of February 2022, Apple macOS X was recorded as being used on just under 16% of all laptop & desktop devices, making it the second most popular desktop operating system.
Pros
- The Apple Mac has a crisp display that really appreciates every pixel on the screen. In comparison to Windows, a mac will appear more prominent and vibrant. This makes it a suitable choice for graphics design, video editing, music production and more.
- Macs are less susceptible to malware, this is not exclusively due to the fact that it isn’t as commonly used but other factors include; regular security updates and applications mainly coming from the App Store.
- macOS and iOS are very similar in terms of interface, and files can easily be linked using the iCloud storage platform.
- The majority of software that runs on a mac is heavily optimised for use. Third-party software has to undergo a process of verification and testing to ensure it is fit to run on macOS.
- The operating system itself is completely free, when buying a Mac.
Cons
- Macs are very expensive from the get-go. For example, a 2021 Macbook Pro will set you back around ~£2000.
- High-end mac devices have very capable hardware components, but this is marred by the explicit lack in video game titles.
- No mac system has touch-screen functionality, something that can be found in Windows tablets and Android devices.
- You can only use macOS X on mac machines. There is a popular workaround called “Hackintosh” where the user will run macOS X on non apple hardware. However, since Apple announced their own proprietary processor, and the fact that Intel macs will stop production soon, it’s safe to say that it is the end of the Hackintosh. This workaround is also illegal if the system was to be sold on.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are a digital designer, music producer or use any other demanding editing software, then Apple macOS X is the perfect operating system for you.
3. Linux Operating System or distributions
In this section, we will cover the overview of Linux distributions or operating systems and go over their pros and cons. Unlike Windows and macOS X, Linux distributions are completely open-source and they can run on any hardware no matter what, this includes mobile and tablet devices (they are even known to run on game consoles).
When we mention Linux in the way we are doing here, we are referring to it as a home computer operating system. In actual reality, Linux is all around you and you may not know this but if you own a smart TV, smart fridge, or any appliance that requires a programme then you are already using Linux!
Pros
- Linux is completely free, absolutely zero with no catch.
- You can install Linux using a USB drive, CD or download it from the internet and use it in a virtual machine.
- You can run Linux alongside or inside of Microsoft Windows if you are not quite ready to convert to it.
- YOU are in charge because Linux is open-source, and if you know a bit about Linux or are willing to learn, then there is a plethora of changes you can make.
- Resourcefulness is a Linux strong point, as it requires very little storage (500mb) and memory (300mb) to run.
Cons
- The user interface is not as user friendly and there is a small learning curve.
- If you’re looking to play all of your favourite games then you’ll need to think twice. You are able to play games, but you can’t play as many games as you can on a Windows system and installation is not as straight forward.
- There is no dedicated support team for Linux, this is the trade off for it being a free opearting system.
If you are into database & server management, having a more flexible operating system and saving money on computer hardware, then Linux is the choice for you! If you are a hardcore gamer or content creator that requires the most up-to-date and popular applications, then we strongly recommend that you do not use Linux (or you create a dual boot it so you can use Linux alongside Windows).
Thank you for reading!
Thank you for reading today’s article, we are now going to post a new article every day covering technology, how-to’s, reviews & recommendations and many more!
