Windows vs MacOS vs Linux

There aren’t A LOT of choices when it comes to an operating system, and well it IS one of the few exceptionally interesting debates of this time:

Windows -Vs-macOS -Vs- Linux

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the debate for preference between these Operating Systems, based on their specialties, specifications and all other factors.

The major factor considered by users when actually choosing an operating system is facilitation. To what extent are they facilitated by a specific system? Be it either for a more generic usage, college students’ usage, typical customary day-to-day usage; or for a more specified and specialized usage, like something bulky for gaming or professional graphics and video production, or maybe greater storage and processing speed for huge databases and whatnot. Hence, the extent of how a system can facilitate a user based on personalized usage is the key factor.

This preference is further molded by some other limiting factors closely associated with each of these operating systems. For example, time and productivity, cost-effectivity, reliability, security, ease of use, etc. are some of the factors discussed below for each of these systems to help you choose between them.

The Windows Operating System:

Starting with some background history, the Windows Operating system has been here for a while. First released in 1985, Windows was supposed to be a Graphical User Interface. With time new versions have shown improvements in the older ones. Coming to an overview of the file/storage structure, Windows OS has a file directory-based structure. All the files are organized and stored in folders, which compliments the ease-of-use factor, in terms of storage.

Although it did go through a rough phase after the Windows 8 release, when the start menu was removed. After windows 10 and nowadays with the Windows 11 release a lot of new and advanced features have shown up.

From application connectivity through a virtual ecosystem (connectivity of the google search engine, YouTube, Google Play Store, and Gmail) to smaller features like Tablet Mode, Windows has managed to facilitate its users. The Pro versions of Windows also provide corporate networking for enterprise clients, which can be achieved with Mac or Linux but require another software to do so. The advantage here is that Windows authentication integrates with corporate servers proving beneficial for businesses.

Coming to a more specified attribute, gaming, is something that is on a whole other requirement level these days. And when it comes to specialized gaming PCs with Windows OS, not only are these systems are equipped with incredible power but also with customizable, lighting and graphics effects. Thus, there is no doubt that Windows-based gaming systems are unmatched.

Cost is another key feature when it comes to the selection of an OS. Something to keep in mind is that it’s not just about how costly a system will prove to be but about how the cost will increase or decrease productivity and product lifetime.

Windows usually comes with the laptop or PC that you buy in general, coming from companies like Dell or Lenovo. But the point to be noted here is that Windows-based computers range in a diversity of prices. Product quality is something unpredictable because of the huge number of Windows suppliers, but if you buy from a top-notch brand, quality is something that will be guaranteed. Within this cost, the advantage is that you are bound to gain access to a large number of Windows applications. The cost-effectivity, we can say is worth it. Keeping an eye on the number of facilities Windows provides.

The number of options for the systems that Windows provides, as implied above, is remarkable. From a system consisting of a small tablet and a keyboard to a heavy PC with a large graphics card and colorful lights, Windows is always available.

Another keynote is that, if you want to run multiple operating systems, Linux can be installed and used on a Windows-based computer by setting up a virtual environment, but the con here is that macOS can only be used on Apple hardware. This will be discussed further later.

Reliability and Security are aspects too important to be overlooked while choosing an operating system. When it comes to security, Windows is somewhat compromised, we can say, due to the large number of users throughout the world. Due to this, there are many malwares and spyware growing with the OS. Windows has released better versions of the Windows Defender with its updates that provides far better security and malware protection. A rather interesting fact is that Microsoft has also started bringing its defender software to the MacOS, but it’s not present at a marketing scale. Apart from that; for further device security, Windows Hello, provides pin, password and most importantly the fingerprint scan feature for improved security.

The MacOS:

Continuing with the Mac Operating System, it was first released in March 2001, also as an initial Graphical User Interface. The MacOS has evolved overtime but comparing it with the first Macintosh, this is the only operating system that has the same fundamental interface as its first version. The file system is exactly the same as it was before, although of course the graphics and applications are more advanced and state-of-the-art. The basic file structure for the MacOS is also directory-based just like Windows.

A slight downside is that the Mac operating system can only be run on Apple hardware. Although, we can set up different operating systems on Apple hardware.

But, moving on to the design and integration of a MacOS, something we all know is that design has always been top-tier for Mac. In fact, when it comes to professional and heavy graphics and video production, Mac is always the first choice due to the seamless experience and “meticulous attention to detail in every way”, an article says. Another opinion is that, it is generally preferred due to its style. An interesting advantage for MacOS, even better than Windows, is its integrability with iOS to the extent that an image taken on an iOS can be dropped directly onto a Mac application.

Coming to ease-of-use and facilitation, the MacOS is the OG. Installation and updates for Mac applications have always been a lesser hassle than for Windows. It also comes with many professional use applications for free. The number is less than that for Windows’ applications but the quality is even better, in some cases. Thus, as said above designers may also find Mac appealing due to its quality, style and ease-of-use.

Another quirk is that the MacOS has unmatched flexibility when it comes to virtualization. Even though it cannot be set up on any other than Apple hardware, if properly equipped with a processor it can run Windows and Linux side-by-side, to the extent of drag and drop across operating systems.

Cost is a factor that is slightly disputed among the users of different operating systems. To clarify; the statement that the MacOS is way too expensive than the Windows OS, is a misconception. Although the cost of Apple hardware is greater than the traditional PC but on comparison it shows that overall cost of ownership over the lifetime of the system is less expensive with Macs; also considering the number of applications and features it provides.

The last and most important feature we can say, for the macOS is security. The number of users for the macOS is far lesser than the number of Windows users which reduces a greater risk for spyware and malware. But, that does not deny the fact that all that stuff exists for Mac. The Apple T2 security chip provides better protection and also sets a foundation for, File Vault, Touch ID, and encrypted storage, which makes it almost equally but slightly more secure than Windows in a sense.

Linux Operating System:

Starting with history, Linux OS was released in 1991 and developed at a Finnish University.

Something different about this operating system is that it is open-source. Therefore, diving in the security feature, the open-source community uses the code and fixes every single security vulnerability which has made it one of the safest Operating Systems among the three. The collaboration on the source code decreases recovery time and helps patch up security issues faster.

Linux is also renowned for its versatility. More than 300 Linux distributions are in use as of today which includes company-based versions, such as Fedora (Red Hat), openSUSE, etc., and community-driven ones that include, Debian, Slackware, Arch Linux, etc. Therefore, the fact that Linux is not owned by a corporate employer is the main reason for the many Linux versions that exist.

There was a time when Linux wasn’t up to the standards in comparison with Windows and macOS but later, Linux-based GUI’s were developed and now it is one of the most renowned Operating Systems. The file structure of Linux is based on the “tree data structure” in complex coding terms.

In terms of facilitation, Linux provides substitutes for almost all Windows and macOS applications such as explorer, PowerPoint, Word, etc. But, there are some cases where pure Windows-based apps or Mac apps are required. Cloud facilities also work for Linux, such as Google Docs and help cover the missing Windows’ app drawback.

Another advantage is that a diverse number of devices support the Linux OS such as smart TVs , etc. The Linux environment is also very easy to set up on a PC or a Mac.

In the gaming domain, Linux can match up in some ways but both of them with MacOS cannot beat Windows, for specs when opting for gaming.

Cost is a plus for Linux because as stated above there are substitutes for almost all macOS and Windows applications that are free of cost. So, we can say that Linux provides more cost-effective solutions.

Looking above, we can conclude that each of these Operating Systems has its specs and its own specialized domain which can help you in choosing which one according to your preference and if not one then how many Operating System’s according to your needs.