linux vs windows vs mac,who is the best?

[WiiUBricker]

It's surprising to see that on a gaming driven community Linux gets so many votes.

 

[Hyperstar96]

I never said Windows was bad. I think Dax_Fame said it in the third post -- everything sucks, just a matter of figuring out what will cause you the least personal aggro. Likewise people being used to it was supposed to be a point in favour of windows, at least until you want to contemplate the security issues that sort of result from it.

It appears we had a slang mixup ( http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Top+Flight ), my apologies as I had no idea that was somewhat area specific.

Oh, then sorry for the misunderstanding.

I would however disagree on the specific function bit. It is a great base for a task specific machine (right from embedded to supercomputers) but multi function servers are right at home there and dare I say the modern desktop is not bad if you can live with the open source stuff (and firefox and chrome are great browsers and I will stand by libreoffice for what most people want there).

I get what you're saying. Out of ignorance, what would a multi function server be? A desktop that doubles as a server running in the background?

I agree that the modern desktop is okay with open source programs, but I'd say it's much better without (for example, LibreOffice is okay but there are better options). I've been talking more in terms of the common (and not too uncommon) user and the range of functionality of each OS, but I'll concede that Linux does have it home to certain users who don't need some of the more specific functionalities of Windows.

 

[JoostinOnline]

I personally dislike OS X's UI, but anyway Linux is the easiest to use (at least Ubuntu is).
Most people who have used a PC already know how to use Windows, that's why they think it's "more difficult" to use Ubuntu, but I think that someone who newer used a PC before would find Ubuntu easier to use (I'm not talking only about the UI.)

Windows requires too much maintenance (defrag, antivirus, updates that install on reboot...) while OS X and GNU/Linux don't.

I use OS X, Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10, and Ubuntu for my job.

Defrag has been automatic on Windows for a decade. Only a fool thinks Mac and Linux can't get malware. OS X and Linux require restarts for updates all the time.

Someone is talking out of their ass.

 

[Deleted User]

While Windows is currently the only OS I use, I actually think Ubuntu is quite a bit better than Windows.
I dunno how to explain it properly, but I think it just kinda feels better overall than Windows? The only reason why I use Windows instead of Ubuntu is because a lot of the programs I use often are Windows only, VOCALOID4 is a good example, (well, I guess there is VOCALOID NEO for Mac and Piapro Studio for Mac, so it's not Windows only) I use it almost daily, then there's Skype, I use that daily and I've never ever been able to get it up and running on Ubuntu.
I could go on, but I'll just leave it at 'it depends on what you wanna do'.

 

[JoostinOnline]

I could go on, but I'll just leave it at 'it depends on what you wanna do'.

That's really the only answer there is.

 

[nastys]

I use OS X, Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10, and Ubuntu for my job.

Defrag has been automatic on Windows for a decade. Only a fool thinks Mac and Linux can't get malware. OS X and Linux require restarts for updates all the time.

Someone is talking out of their ass.

Installing updates on reboot is different than requiring to restart in order to apply the updates.
When you start your PC and Windows needs to install an update, you're stuck.
OS X installs updates on shutdown, which is a bit better, depending on the situation.
Linux doesn't install updates when you turn on or off your PC, but before Linux 4.0 it required the user to reboot the PC to load the updated kernel.

Also, automatic defrag is still defrag, which slows down your PC when you use it and even if you don't, it reduces the hard disk's lifetime.

And only Windows and OS X users get malware. I looked for a reason to install an antivirus on my Ubuntu partition, but I couldn't find one, except for scanning my Windows partition

 

[zoogie]

It's surprising to see that on a gaming driven community Linux gets so many votes.

It's the same thing with hardcore gamers vs casuals.
The casuals don't shout from rooftops their brand affiliation the ways hardcores do. This can make the hardcores seem like they outnumber casuals even though the opposite is true. The vocal minority always does a better job of making their presence known, like this thread's poll.

Linux are hardcore PC users and Windows, casual. Usually.
Mac are casuals with more money.

 

[JoostinOnline]

Installing updates on reboot is different than requiring restarts to apply the updates.
When you start your PC and Windows needs to install an update, you're stuck.
OS X installs updates on shutdown, which is a bit better, depending on the situation.
Linux doesn't install updates when you turn on or off your PC, but before Linux 4.0 it required the user to reboot the PC to load the updated kernel.

Also, automatic defrag is still defrag, which slows down your PC when you use it and even if you don't, it reduces the hard disk's lifetime.

And only Windows and OS X get malware.

Uh oh, we have a Linux fanboy.

I had to reboot last time I updated Ubuntu (a couple weeks ago I think, it's the one I use least). Requiring a restart at any point means the end result is the same: You have to wait for it to install and reboot. Defragmenting is never done when you are using the computer either. Linux moves the files around when needed, which puts the same (very light) strain on a drive that defragmentation does.

You fall into the category of fools who think Linux doesn't get malware. Both OS X and Linux have a lot less malware than Windows, that's true. It's not because they are more secure though. It's because on both OS's you can get almost all your software from a single updater. That is a benefit, but it's not foolproof, and it's safer to have an antivirus program on every system.

Anyway, I'm not voting. They all have benefits and drawbacks. I couldn't choose anyway.

 

[nastys]

Uh oh, we have a Linux fanboy.

A fanboy who used Windows for more than 12 years before switching to Ubuntu for more than 3 years, yeah, maybe.

Uh oh, we have a Linux fanboy.

I had to reboot last time I updated Ubuntu (a couple weeks ago I think, it's the one I use least). Requiring a restart at any point means the end result is the same: You have to wait for it to install and reboot

Wrong, the update is installed right away. You have to reboot only to USE the new installed Linux kernel, but it's already installed.

You fall into the category of fools who think Linux doesn't get malware. Both OS X and Linux have a lot less malware than Windows, that's true. It's not because they are more secure though. It's because on both OS's you can get almost all your software from a single updater. That is a benefit, but it's not foolproof, and it's safer to have an antivirus program on every system.

The most secure is OpenBSD, only 2 bugs in 10 years... but I can't find any threat for normal GNU/Linux desktop users either. Any new exploit gets patched in a few hours, on Windows a few days and on OS X a few months...
Why should I use an antivirus on Ubuntu? Name a virus that actually still works...

 

[Smuff]

It's surprising to see that on a gaming driven community Linux gets so many votes.

Not really - it's the fashionable answer for the cool kids.

 

[JoostinOnline]

Wrong, the update is installed right away. You have to reboot only to USE the new installed Linux kernel, but it's already installed.

That's exactly what I said.

The most secure is OpenBSD, only 2 bugs in 10 years... but I can't find any threat for normal GNU/Linux desktop users either. Any new exploit gets patched in a few hours, on Windows a few days and on OS X a few months...

Actually Symantec did a 6 month study that showed Windows had the fewest security holes, and they were the fastest to patch them. This was a several years back though, so it may have shifted.

Why should I use an antivirus on Ubuntu? Name a virus that actually still works...

I'm not talking about viruses alone. I said malware.

Linux and OS X are safer, but nothing is invulnerable. You're also not considering the dozens of Linux alternatives to Ubuntu, many of which aren't as well maintained.[/QUOTE]

 

[Catastrophic]

I have never used an OSX system and have only briefly tried Ubuntu. I have pretty much only used Windows and haven't seen the point of trying something else as I've never had any significant problems with it. Windows 7 is one of the most solid OSes ever. Sure there are risks of viruses but as long as you have common sense and a decent antivirus you should be safe from them.

I'll probably try a linux OS sometime when I feel like messing with computer stuff. Never going to try an OSX as I'm not going to be buying a MAC anytime soon.

 

[nastys]

That's exactly what I said.

You said that the user is required to reboot and wait, but what I mean is that on Windows you don't just wait for it to reboot, you want for it to INSTALL and reboot, which takes more time...

Actually Symantec did a 6 month study that showed Windows had the fewest security holes, and they were the fastest to patch them. This was a several years back though, so it may have shifted.

I'm not talking about viruses alone. I said malware.

Linux and OS X are safer, but nothing is invulnerable. You're also not considering the dozens of Linux alternatives to Ubuntu, many of which aren't as well maintained.

Any malware worth caring about?
I've never got a malware in more than 3 years on Ubuntu, and I got a spyware only some days ago on Windows, which I even use rarely...

 

[vayanui8]

It's surprising to see that on a gaming driven community Linux gets so many votes.

It's also hacking drievn so its not too surprising.

 

[JoostinOnline]

I have never used an OSX system and have only briefly tried Ubuntu. I have pretty much only used Windows and haven't seen the point of trying something else as I've never had any significant problems with it. Windows 7 is one of the most solid OSes ever. Sure there are risks of viruses but as long as you have common sense and a decent antivirus you should be safe from them.

I'll probably try a linux OS sometime when I feel like messing with computer stuff. Never going to try an OSX as I'm not going to be buying a MAC anytime soon.

I recently got my first Windows virus after 15 years of use. I was so pissed off. I'd done something incredibly stupid. I got an installer from a different host.

You said that the user is required to reboot and wait, but what I mean is that on Windows you don't just wait for it to reboot, you want for it to INSTALL and reboot, which takes more time...

Here is what I said:

Requiring a restart at any point means the end result is the same: You have to wait for it to install and reboot.

Almost everything is done in the background on Windows anyway. You shut down your computer, and if updates were installed, your computer takes an extra 30 seconds to start next time you turn it on. OH NOEZ!!!

The point I'm making is that I don't think the order it's required or a slight difference in the time it takes matters much.

Any malware worth caring about?
I've never got a malware in more than 3 years on Ubuntu, and I got a spyware only some days ago on Windows, which I even use rarely...

As I mentioned above, I've had one virus in 15 years, and none while practicing common sense. The chances of getting any kind of malware on Ubuntu (specifically) are extremely low even if common sense isn't something you regularly practice. That's a benefit that shouldn't be overlooked. Even so, I recommend an AV to all my customers (I do computer repairs, which is why I work with so many OS's), because you're better safe than sorry.

I'd suggest you Google to look for malware. Shellshock was the last big Linux vulnerability that I've heard of (each update usually means they found a new one though), and Ubuntu took care of that after only a few days. Unless you're just the laziest SOB out there or don't have an Internet connection, you don't have to worry about it.


I use Windows almost all the time, but that's primarily due to the software I'm most used to only being available on Windows. Sure there are equivalents for most everything on Linux (and vice versa), but who wants to learn something new when you could watch Netflix instead?

 

[jonthedit]

@JoostinMasterRace
+Everything he said and:
Honestly AVs are outdated m8ts. Use common sense and all is well.

 

[nastys]

I recently got my first Windows virus after 15 years of use. I was so pissed off. I'd done something incredibly stupid. I got an installer from a different host.
Here is what I said:
Almost everything is done in the background on Windows anyway. You shut down your computer, and if updates were installed, your computer takes an extra 30 seconds to start next time you turn it on. OH NOEZ!!!

The point I'm making is that I don't think the order it's required or a slight difference in the time it takes matters much.

That depends on how much it takes. For example, if you use the PC after months of disuse, the system takes a loooot more time to install all the updates, and you can't use the PC because Windows installs the updates on boot, not after. On Ubuntu, the updates are installed right away. If a reboot is needed in order to use the new kernel, the user can reboot later. Since Linux 4.0, the kernel is patched on the fly, without having to reboot, EVER.

As I mentioned above, I've had one virus in 15 years, and none while practicing common sense. The chances of getting any kind of malware on Ubuntu (specifically) are extremely low even if common sense isn't something you regularly practice. That's a benefit that shouldn't be overlooked. Even so, I recommend an AV to all my customers (I do computer repairs, which is why I work with so many OS's), because you're better safe than sorry.

I'm always careful not to run random executables since most software I need is in the repositories or PPAs.

I'd suggest you Google to look for malware. Shellshock was the last big Linux vulnerability that I've heard of (each update usually means they found a new one though), and Ubuntu took care of that after only a few days. Unless you're just the laziest SOB out there or don't have an Internet connection, you don't have to worry about it.

I searched for any possible malware for Linux some time ago on my own, couldn't find anything, except for Flash Player, which I disabled on Firefox and I only use with Chrome (which is supposed to be safer).

I use Windows almost all the time, but that's primarily due to the software I'm most used to only being available on Windows. Sure there are equivalents for most everything on Linux (and vice versa), but who wants to learn something new when you could watch Netflix instead?

You could always watch Netflix while you configure you PC, right?

 

[JoostinOnline]

@JoostinMasterRace
+Everything he said and:
Honestly AVs are outdated m8ts. Use common sense and all is well.

If people used common sense, I'd be out of business.

I'm always careful not to run random executables since most software I need is in the repositories or PPAs.

Then I doubt you'll ever get any kind of malware. My objection was to your statement that Linux DIDN'T get malware. It does, but it takes a stupid person and extra bad luck.

 

[Dr.Hacknik]

Windows is more popular than Linux. So in the market your Apps would be purchased or used more, Windows is one of the easiest to code for.

 

[nastys]

Then I doubt you'll ever get any kind of malware. My objection was to your statement that Linux DIDN'T get malware. It does, but it takes a stupid person and extra bad luck.

I never said it doesn't, but a normal user doesn't have to worry about it, unlike in Windows. Microsoft even had to add Windows Defender...