What operating system do you prefer?

United States
January 5, 2007 8:09pm CST
The majority of the world uses one of three major operating systems: Windows, Macintosh OS, or Linux. The question I have for you is which of these do you use/prefer? Also, which version of the operating system are you currently running (on Windows, is it 98, ME, XP, etc. On Mac, is it OS 9, OS X 10.1, 10.2, etc.)? Personally, I currently use and prefer the Macintosh OS. I currently run Panther, which is OS X 10.3. I prefer this because as Apple builds the computers on which their operating system runs, I think it's more stable and in sync with the hardware. The added plus is that Macintosh is not susceptible to all of the viruses and spyware that attack Windows on the web. I'm not sure about Linux. I've never used it. What do you prefer/use?
7 people like this
98 responses
• India
6 Jan 07
I am a linux lover and one of my pcs is loaded with Gentoo Linux which i use for my daily purposes and for downloading using bittorrent. Although the installation and initial catchup is a little difficult in linux but once you get to know it you will fall in love with it. My other PC is loaded with Windows XP which i mainly use for multimedia purposes and gaming. I will upgrade to Windows Vista when it releases . I liked the beta version very much especially their new user interface with which they finally managed to challenge the best linux user interfaces out there. Gaming is one area Linux is yet to catch up in which the windows has a big advantage. Windows is very user friendly easy to use OS but you wont get the power, safety, stability and security you get on linux. Also linux has great community support and lot of open source free programs for all kind of purposes. I just love linux. Any other linux lovers out here??
• United States
6 Jan 07
Personally I prefer Windows XP and thats what I am using now. Its quite fast and easy to use and I feel Windows is what 80% of world uses. I also Linux OS for its looks and design, but the installation is quite difficult. I still remember I had to install my Red hat Linux 5 times before I got it right. So I thin MS Windows is the best. But one thing I dont like about Microsoft is the frequent versions that they come up with. Its hard to catch up. Hopefully they slow down a bit.
2 people like this
@Wizybr (110)
• Australia
6 Jan 07
I have read a sum total of two complete EULAs in 22 years. I will read every word in the Vista EULA before I upgrade. I suggest you, and everyone els does also.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Jan 07
I got a new PC a few years back loaded with windows xp media edition from a pc loaded with ME which I got use to and did see why people complained so much but then again maybe it was the updates. As far as preferring Me over XP pro not really I like them both. But I do miss my old pc it wasn't as fast and didn't have as much hard space but this machine some how seems slower. I've never tried Linux's but did get a copy at one point but never did an install so not sure. I want go to the new Vista until I get a new computer or I get it as a gift. But I've heard it is great. My old computer had a Hard drive that made it faster wished I had kept it.
@jolala (70)
• United States
6 Jan 07
What I prefer is Mac OS X. What I'm currently using is Ubuntu Linux. We were running Windows XP home but that crashed and we were unable to recover the software. Since we don't have the funds to purchase anything at the moment, my husband downloaded Ubuntu at work and we installed it here. Gotta love free!
• South Africa
6 Jan 07
Word is out that the new Windows Vista will be much more like Linux OS's, stable and with a lot more security functions.. only a rumour though.
@runsgame (2031)
• India
6 Jan 07
i do not have much idea on this . my i find wondows xp more comfortable. any suggestions to change from xp to othr system pls give me?
2 people like this
• United States
6 Jan 07
At home I use Linux (Mandrake) and Ubuntu as well as Windows Xp. It really depends on what I'm doing. I'm really looking into purchasing an IMAC though. it has the power of *nix with a GUI better than Windows.
2 people like this
@Wizybr (110)
• Australia
6 Jan 07
It depends on what I'm doing. For most things I prefer Linux, Fedora Core 5 (soon to be FC6). But there are lot's of holes in the available software categories for Linux. If I doing HTML I use Win XP. For on-line banking - Win XP (and that's scary, but required by the bank) While there are some root kits around for Linux, the bad guys are still focused on Windows. And as long as Mac use a UNIX based file system they are also safer than Win XP. I like the multiple Desktops in Gnome for Linux. I also like the fact that I feel safer using Linux.
1 person likes this
• Hong Kong
6 Jan 07
yes,I do agree with you! It depends on what we are doing. I have found some softwares are developed based on the linux. Maybe it is because the software would have better funtion in the linux system. I have downloaded some softwares online,and finally find that they can only be used in the linux system. I think I should have a try to use linux.
• China
6 Jan 07
I like windows, especially XP...
@resasour (378)
• United States
6 Jan 07
I have always wondered about other OS's because I think Microsoft got too big for their britches, but I have not as yet tried any of the others. I do not even know what they look like. However, I have always felt that Microsoft needed some good stiff competition. I will keep and eye on this discussion as I am considering trying something different.
• United States
6 Jan 07
Where do you live? Perhaps there is an Apple store near where you live. If you can locate one, you can go in and learn the ins and outs of the Macintosh platform. Mac OS X is very user-friendly. I personally think it will be hard for any operating system to catch up to Microsoft in the NEAR future. It's too cheap and widely contracted with computers that are also inexpensive, such as Dell. Also, there is some talk in the Macintosh world of jumping on that bandwagon (of loading Macintosh computers with Windows XP), but hopefully that will never happen.
• India
6 Jan 07
Now Linux is a stiff competitor to Window. Its been all around technology sites. Many countries are trying to adopt to Linux. This has lead to sleepless nights for Microsoft. Don't believe me? Well now Microsoft and Novell the creator of Suse Linux have decided to tie up. They would be working together on technologies which would make both windows and suse work together.
• India
6 Jan 07
i prefer xp .
1 person likes this
@kfg20012003 (1037)
• India
6 Jan 07
i prefer windows for home use..for work in office it is better to use linux
• India
6 Jan 07
in my opinion windows is the best os it is simple nd easy///
1 person likes this
• India
6 Jan 07
now i m using win xp and win 2003 but i like windows vista
1 person likes this
@hiitssomu (657)
• United States
6 Jan 07
i love windows operating system and currently using windows XP. but i too heard that Macintosh OS is also very good, robust and little more free from virus. isn't it ?
• United States
6 Jan 07
it's completely free of viruses (knock on wood). it does have a little to do with stability, but the major reason is because windows is much more popular than any other OS. unfortunately, the viruses come with the popularity. Windows is probably used by nearly 90% (either primarily or as a secondary OS) of everyone on the internet. Mac OS is very clean and you would probably like it. Vista looks like it's pretty slick too, but I like to wait until a release has been out for a while to give my honest opinion on it.
@vivek6831 (211)
• India
6 Jan 07
I AM GOING TO TELLING YOU ABOUT WINDOWS VISTA . IT IS ONE OF THE GRETEST OPERATING SYSTEM.I HAVE SEEN MANY WINDOWS LIKE WINDOWS XP,WINDOWS 98,WINDOWS 95,WINDOWS ME.BUT VISTA IS DIFFRENT FROM ALL.IT HAS THE CAPABLITY TO DO WORK IN PITIFUL MANNER.IT IS OF THE GREATEST WONDOWS EVER I SEEN.
• Singapore
6 Jan 07
It's sad really. I think the majority of people are not really given a choice on which OS they would like to use. The only real choice is between Mac and Windows. Its not because these two operating systems might be the best ones out there, but it would just be too troublesome to use a less universal system. However I see the need of a common system as well, it makes things easier and lessens compatibility issues. So its not really a question of preference, its a question of practicality. Having said that i use Windows XP, because thats what most of the world is using!
1 person likes this
@SuperSam (172)
• Canada
6 Jan 07
that's exactly what it comes down to!!
• India
6 Jan 07
I am using Windows Xp. Its working very nice and user friendly also. But we care to prevent virus.
1 person likes this
• India
14 Jan 07
I too use windows Xp. It is good and smarter too. But still it needs development in some angles to give perfect 10 of its operation satisfaction.
• India
6 Jan 07
I prefer windows Xp.It is user friendly.
1 person likes this
• Singapore
6 Jan 07
I prefer all OS and like to play with them using vmware. Getting myself more familiarized with them
1 person likes this
@demonfox (313)
• United States
6 Jan 07
Widows XP! Well, that's the only OS I am very familiar with. I would love to have the final version of Vista but it just cost so much money.
1 person likes this
• Nigeria
6 Jan 07
i have always been a Windows person,never seen any other.
1 person likes this
@Lasha73 (48)
• United States
6 Jan 07
Well i'm a pc type of girl. I never had linux, but I heard great things about it. I think macs are way overrated. I hear people complaining a lot about pc's because they are prone to viruses. That wouldn't happen if you just take care of it and watch what your downloading or doing on the internet. Plus their cheaper:).
1 person likes this
• India
6 Jan 07
Hi, I use windows a lot but still i feel linux is better option, Also in comparision windows is more simple to use as it is GUI, and linux is CUI, I hav no Idea for Macintosh OS.
1 person likes this