macOS vs. Windows vs. Linux

[Blumlein 88]

If you want to use apple product in a reasonable price then buy used one. I will buy M3 Macs when M4 is available,

The problem with this approach I have found is Mac owners are so enamored of their gear they want nearly new prices for their stuff. Not always, but it is the norm. I have two Macs, and did purchase both used. You have to get lucky however.

 

[dogmamann]

Which OS do you prefer?

Depends on what you are used to. I was a Mac person for long and then before some 4 years back I switched to windows. Last month I bought a Mac again to get into the ecosystem and found it to be too “limited” or less intuitive to win 11. To me now win 11 is the best OS out there

 

[Blumlein 88]

you can choose to run the latest os supported which does still get patches and support.
you could run linux on it
you can get open core legacy patcher. I have an old mini from 2011 running the latest os and it works fine. its Pretty seamless once installed.

That is exactly what I do with my older Macbook. But that whole thing after some complain about just use it it works seems out of character. "Pretty seemless once installed" is of course once installed. iphones are supported for much longer ownership than Android, but Macs are supported for shorter periods of time than Windows. The hardware on Macs is usually good, and they could also last 10 years like Windows gear, but Apple isn't too friendly to that.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

I’ve primarily used ChromeOS for at least the last 6 years. Haven’t had a need for anything else. ChromeBox, ChromeBook and Chrome tablet. Still have an old MacBook Air, but it mostly gathers dust.

 

[dogmamann]

That is exactly what I do with my older Macbook. But that whole thing after some complain about just use it it works seems out of character. "Pretty seemless once installed" is of course once installed. iphones are supported for much longer ownership than Android, but Macs are supported for shorter periods of time than Windows. The hardware on Macs is usually good, and they could also last 10 years like Windows gear, but Apple isn't too friendly to that.

The hardware on Apple devices appears to be better due to their better fit and finish but in terms of technical design and longevity MacBooks are nothing special. The Mac mini is a well designed computer, iPhone and iPads are well designed in terms of hardware but MacBooks are not. They thermal throttle like any other computer unlike iPhones and iPads.

 

[anotherhobby]

Yes although it's not UNIX which is a trademark. The history of Unix and Unix-like operating systems is long and varied with a few legal wrangles over the years.

All releases from OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion to macOS 14 Sonoma are UNIX 03 certified (wikipedia).

 

[blueone]

The problem with this approach I have found is Mac owners are so enamored of their gear they want nearly new prices for their stuff. Not always, but it is the norm. I have two Macs, and did purchase both used. You have to get lucky however.

@OldTimer was probably not referring to used Macs. Apple continues to sell previous generation new products, and oftentimes the prices are very reasonable. For example, Costco is selling brand new M1 MacBook Airs for $750. Still pricey compared to x86 PC hardware, but if you must have a Mac the previous generation can save a lot and still be supported for years. The same is true for iPads and iPhones.

 

[Spyerx]

That is exactly what I do with my older Macbook. But that whole thing after some complain about just use it it works seems out of character. "Pretty seemless once installed" is of course once installed. iphones are supported for much longer ownership than Android, but Macs are supported for shorter periods of time than Windows. The hardware on Macs is usually good, and they could also last 10 years like Windows gear, but Apple isn't too friendly to that.

The install process is not that bad, but it’s not the typical apple-simple approach. But once it IS installed, it works well. For me, I didn’t really even need the latest as I was using as a streamer (I replaced it with an M2 Mac mini (gasp, with only 8gb of ram! But wow, it works fine and doesnt page/swap!). But wanted to try it and see what could be done. Surprisingly that ancient computer worked great and was more than snappy enough for use as a streamer/browser.
I have a 5 year old windows laptop i use for my car computer programming and diagnostics and it isn’t supported by the latest windows.

All companies make the choice of what and how long to support products, it’s a simple ROI and cost to serve thing. I am in this industry and our enterprise platforms are only supported N-2 from latest release. The consumer companies do better in that regard.

Anyway, OS selection is such an early 2000s debate at this point, they all work equally well and do the same things at the end of the day.

 

[Blumlein 88]

@OldTimer was probably not referring to used Macs. Apple continues to sell previous generation new products, and oftentimes the prices are very reasonable. For example, Costco is selling brand new M1 MacBook Airs for $750. Still pricey compared to x86 PC hardware, but if you must have a Mac the previous generation can save a lot and still be supported for years. The same is true for iPads and iPhones.

Maybe, but his post was used computers, not refurbs or existing old stock new from Apple.

 

[Blumlein 88]

The install process is not that bad, but it’s not the typical apple-simple approach. But once it IS installed, it works well. For me, I didn’t really even need the latest as I was using as a streamer (I replaced it with an M2 Mac mini (gasp, with only 8gb of ram! But wow, it works fine and doesnt page/swap!). But wanted to try it and see what could be done. Surprisingly that ancient computer worked great and was more than snappy enough for use as a streamer/browser.
I have a 5 year old windows laptop i use for my car computer programming and diagnostics and it isn’t supported by the latest windows.

All companies make the choice of what and how long to support products, it’s a simple ROI and cost to serve thing. I am in this industry and our enterprise platforms are only supported N-2 from latest release. The consumer companies do better in that regard.

Anyway, OS selection is such an early 2000s debate at this point, they all work equally well and do the same things at the end of the day.

Yeah, okay, and yes my 13 year old laptop will not do Win 11. It will get full Win 10 support for 2 more years. Apple stops that support when hardware could handle it as evidence by using Open Core Legacy Patcher. Apple computers get about half the support in years vs Windows gear. For a high up front price and skimping on HD and RAM that isn't a good deal. It has its place, but it is far from a great deal. I mostly prefer linux, and find using a Mac can be more time consuming than linux these days though I do know from experience which things to not even bother with on each platform. It will vary with everyone's use case of course, but while MacOS is a 'calm' user experience it also at times seems like sucking syrup thru a straw versus Windows and Linux. I almost feel like MacOS has moved in the direction of being a higher performing (higher priced) better done version of having a Chromebook. Works for some uses. I long ago moved older relatives to Chromebooks and killed a bunch of support calls from them, but Chromebooks are even less well supported. The last couple years I advised those people to go with a basic Mac Mini instead.

 

[terryforsythe]

I prefer Linux for home and Windows for work. They both have their strengths and weaknesses.

The reasons I use Linux for home are:

1. I love the customizability of Linux.
2. There is sooo much free and open source software.
3. I find it fun to use.
4. Linux is less taxing on hardware resources, so it generally runs much smoother/faster than Windows, especially on older and less powerful computers.
5. When a problem does pop up, I usually can find a work-workaround or debug it myself, which is harder to do in Windows.

The reasons I use Windows for work are:

1. I need some applications that are Windows only.
2. I use some applications which I much prefer over the Linux equivalents (e.g., Acrobat and Outlook).
3. In my experience, Windows 10 and 11 desktop environments and Windows desktop software are more stable than the Linux desktop environments and some desktop applications that I use. (This usually is less of an issue, though, for applications that are widely used and have more than just a few software developers. I think users only using Linux for web browsing, email and an office productivity suite will be fine and unlikely to run into problems.)
4. Driver support in Windows is better. Case in point, about a year ago I built a new computer with Intel WiFi integrated into the motherboard. In Linux WiFi crashes from time to time. I tested it in Windows and had no issues. Eventually the Linux driver probably will be updated and fix the bug. In the mean time, I have installed an older WiFi PCIe card and am using that for Linux.

 

[blueone]

Maybe, but his post was used computers, not refurbs or existing old stock new from Apple.

I missed the word "used".

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

... Chromebooks are even less well supported.

They're updated for 10 years, at least.

Auto Update policy - Chrome Enterprise and Education Help

ChromeOS devices—including Chromebook, Chromebox, and Chromebase—receive automatic updates that enhance both the device and its software. Automatic updates provide the latest features, keep the device

support.google.com

 

[Blumlein 88]

They're updated for 10 years, at least.

Auto Update policy - Chrome Enterprise and Education Help

ChromeOS devices—including Chromebook, Chromebox, and Chromebase—receive automatic updates that enhance both the device and its software. Automatic updates provide the latest features, keep the device

support.google.com

Recently yes, Previously 5 years, then 8 years, and often you'd find something on sale new, which was introduced 2-3 years ago leaving not much support. Had they done this sooner, I'd have suggested some people stick with them as they are sufficient for simple needs. This 10 years was only announced two months ago, and only for 2021 and newer models.

 

[OldTimer]

I think Windows is more vulnerable to virus than Linux based systems such as MacOS. For gaming, Windows is much better because of the DirectX. Meanwhile the original Linux is still raw, not cooked yet.

 

[JeffS7444]

I've switched back and forth between OSes over the years. As far as I'm concerned, they're all broadly similar. Sold off my 2013 MacBook Pro and iPad because I felt they were fast approaching End of Life (EOL) as far as software updates. And I had much newer PC hardware at my disposal. Currently am running Windows 11 and 10 as a result. Without restoring to any registry hacks, I switched off the News pane, and Windows Search Highlights (little icons in Search box), along with most notifications. And thus configured, it works perfectly well for my purposes.

Because I never know what OS I will be using in the future, I try to stick with Windows file naming conventions as the lowest common denominator for my media archive.

What I like about Apple: Great support for more advanced hardware features, because Apple has 100% over hardware too. Versus something like Windows Hello, which requires optional hardware, which few people have.

What I like about DOS/Windows: It made commodity-priced hardware a thing.

What I like about *nix: It made operating systems a commodity too. So much so that it seems to have become the dominant OS, powering not just Mac computers, but all other Apple devices, countless appliances, Android and Chrome devices, the lights-out embedded subsystems found in most server hardware. And of course, single-board computers (SBCs) like Raspberry Pi.

It wouldn't surprise me a bit if Windows devices of the future featured Windows compatibility layers atop a *nix core, all running on some flavor of ARM hardware.

 

[nugget]

Yes although [macOS is] not UNIX which is a trademark.

macOS is a registered product as UNIX 03 and has been UNIX® since the beginning of MacOS X. Not that this has any real practical implications, but it is UNIX according to the Open Group.

Open Brand

 

[audio_tony]

I think Windows is more vulnerable to virus than Linux based systems such as MacOS. For gaming, Windows is much better because of the DirectX. Meanwhile the original Linux is still raw, not cooked yet.

MacOS is BSD based, not Linux.

Linux is actually quite mature now, I'm not sure when you last used it?

 

[terryforsythe]

Interesting that Apple is using "Unix 03" as a brand name considering macOS is based on XNU (X is Not UNIX). I have seen it stated that macOS is certified to be UNIX compatible, so perhaps that is the reason for the branding.

EDIT: I just found a link that states macOS v. 14.0 (Sonoma) conforms to the UNIX 03 standard, along with various other operating systems. https://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/. I don't think it matters what code based is used, but rather just that it meets the standard. It is funny, though, that macOS uses XNU (X is Not UNIX), but is UNIX 03 certified.

 

[Axo1989]

Macworld wrote an article about Apple's overpriced RAM. Quote from that article:

"Are the new M3 Macs great computers? Sure. Are they expensive? You betcha. Does any excuse for Apple’s stingy 8GB RAM configurations or highway-robbery RAM upgrade prices? Absolutely not. This is pure corporate greed from the world’s biggest and richest technology company, and as Apple customers, we shouldn’t stand for it."

Now, Apple prices don't affect me as a Windows PC user. It affects YOU. This is the same ASR that thinks that a $1000 DAC is overpriced, yet some here are happy to pay $200 for 8GB of RAM. That's snake oil prices. Do you have an explanation for the double standard, or are you in the market for some overpriced cable?

When I saw this thread appear and sit for a while with no replies, I thought the sophisticated/jaded ASR audience was above responding to such base provocation. Then I woke from my daydream.

Anyway, the old standby elixir serpentes is invoked to describe products that don't deliver their fantastic claims. Not stuff that's simply expensive. When you extract that hook from the soft skin behind your jaw, be careful of the barbed bit.

Edit: forgot to mention, omg my DAC cost >$1000, I blame Apple.