Which OS are you?

Originally posted by spacemountainfan619

I don't produce music ATM, but, it is something I am really interested in. I am trying to find the most affordable quality hardware and software. I really want something that has MIDI inputs so I can hook up my keyboard to it.

FL Studio is probably the most affordable but it is definitely not the best.

I use all three. Based on usage order, it goes Windows, then Mac close behind, then Linux Mint for some random games. First of all, let me say this: they are all equal, and only preferences distinguish them. Honestly, here's how it goes down.


WINDOWS
Pros
- Good customization. The Control Panel has lots of options, and third party programs like Rainmeter make your desktop unique.
- Very cheap. You can get the RAM and disk space of a high level Mac for a huge fraction of the cost. Which means that with the same Mac money, you could get double the power.
- Lots of hardware options. Very customizable in that extent too (in terms of brands).
- More "open sourced" than Mac, but much less than Linux.
- More programs. Being the most popular, and not having to pass through Apple, you get programs like Rainmeter and Newton2.
- Starting office programs are good, though take time to learn.
Cons
- Can be unstable, depending on your situation.
- Hardware preferences aren't easily integrated into Windows because the components are third party.
- Takes years of experience to use well.
- Common virus problems.
- Performance hog (Vista).
- Kind-of a "mess" (to be honest). Options all over the place, icons all over the place, system folders all over the place.
- Searching for files is kind-of odd and isn't easy to use quickly.
- Starting media programs suck.


MAC
Pros
- Very reliable and stable. Can handle many stresses put on the system.
- User friendly. All apps have the same menu formats, have great help sections (that point out menu options with arrows in real time). Also for those who want something that works out of the box well, no matter the cost (non-tech savvy people).
- Searching for files is quick, easy, and almost faster than opening the file location. Just press Spotlight and find all your files in a flash while other windows are open.
- Great stock programs. Expose and Spaces organized desktops, and media programs like iMovie, iPhoto, and GarageBand are simple yet have complex features.
- Hardware works great with the software since Apple makes both.
- Software works well because of Apple approval.
- Lack of (or very little) viruses.
- Hidden system files. Keeps the weird junk hidden unless you want to access it.
- Great customer service.
Cons
- Overpriced for what you get. A thick wallet helps.
- Restricted selection of programs.
- Okay starting office programs. Luckily you can get Microsoft Office for Mac.
- Less customization. Mac can be strict, which is also what makes it safe. It's a compromise.
- Lack of maximize feature can suck for many programs, such as certain games, web browsers (because now-a-days webpages are wide), and 3D software. Floating window toolbars in programs like DraftSight really suck, because they stick around even when you minimize the program.
- No real form of program stopping really sucks whenever your Mac really does go under. Sitting there for an hour waiting for a SPOD (spiraling pinwheel of death) or a straight black-roll (when your Mac basically gives up on life) really sucks.


LINUX [& MINT]
Pros
- Fast. Not a performance hog. Great for netbooks in certain instances.
- Customization through the roof due to it being open-source. Desktop cubes and other eye candy is top notch. The ability to make your own operating system built on Linux isn't too shabby either. The entire base of the system is customizable. If you can think it (and obtain some code knowledge), you can do it.
- Zero cost. Free OS's, free programs, free everything. Unless the program creator puts a price on it, it's free.
- For Mint, you have a central Software Downloader. No scouring sites. Click categories and get awesome programs without browsing the web. Get awesome games.
- For Mint, you can install the OS as a Windows program. No hard drive partitioning.
- For Mint, an Update Manager ranks updates in terms of importance and "safety". Download the updates you want and don't be annoyed by pop-ups.
- Many distros (OS's) to choose from. Get just what you want.
- Very safe. No real virus threat, since few people use Linux.
Cons
- Must be rather tech-savvy to get, use, and work.
- "Customer service" is basically the distro forum. Pick a distro you trust.
- Not as compatible. Windows and Mac have realized that they need to "work together" in that department, but Linux is left cold.
- Many distros require a hard drive partition because few computers start with Linux. This process can't really be messed up.




That's basically what I think of the three main OS [groups]. Windows, if you think about it, is actually in a uphill battle. Mac has the luxury of it's UNIX (Linux) base, which means it sort of has "help" from others in terms of core software. Windows is alone, and must come up with it all to work from scratch.

Still, as you can see, it's all preference. In my honest opinion, there is no "superior" OS. There may be an OS that is superior to you, but not someone else.

Had a dell laptop since 8th grade...hated it. Wanted a mac but mom already bought the dell before i could tell her. Once the dell busted[was thanking god] i got my macbook pro(about ~2 yrs ago) and love it. Probably will never have a PC again. Even in school we have all PCs besides graphics and film classes, and i catch myself doing mac things on the PC's all the time.[finger swiping,reverse close/min/expand, top for menues]

IMO-- Mac>PC

[Coasterkidmwm]

I'm beta testing the Google OS and I must say it's quite good. It's like the Mac OS except you can actually do programming in it and what I call "slightly complex computer stuff" (there is a reason why Mac OS is considered the STD of unix among many) without it catastrophically crashing, it's not windows, and there is no linux overcomplication bullshit to deal with.

If you imagine the Chrome browser as an operating system, you will imagine it correctly.

lolz im cracking up and i have a vista

ive used crome ever since i downloaded it. I did a test... i opened internet explorer with google open. had like 5 tabs on chrome. Explorer was taking twice as much memory as chrome.

The problem with Windows is that there are a lot of shitty windows computers out there. Most people buy said shitty computers since they are cheap and then form all opinions about windows from these computers. For the most part, Mac only sells nice computers so people can't buy a shitty Mac. I love my Dell Studio XPS laptop which has slightly better hardware than a comparable Mac with a price tag that was $800 cheaper at the time of purchase.

^Yeah, that's the other thing. Mac doesn't want their OS running on bad computers. It's basically a sense of good image and business.

[gouldy]

Just started using Ubuntu 10.10 yesterday, takes some getting used to! I like it though, managed to use the Terminal well enough to install Wine.