Which operating system to choose

When choosing an operating system, you need to start from the purposes for which you plan to use it.

Which operating system to choose for the computer: Windows or alternative operating systems?

Today the operating system market can be divided into two groups – the family Windows and all the rest, the so-called alternative. The first is also conditionally divided into environments that appeared before Metro / Modern, and equipped with it.

Thus, we can distinguish:

1. Windows 7;

2. Windows 10;

3. Universal distributions Linux – Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Elementary OS;

4. Special distributions of NIX.

On one computer, you can install two or more operating systems in parallel, which will share a common file space.

Which operating system Windows to choose

Windows 7

The operating system Windows 7, released back in 2009, remains the most popular to this day. It offers a familiar interface and user experience, low hardware requirements, low resource consumption and the broadest compatibility with third-party software.

However, this operating system is not compatible with current software and hardware technologies. For example, it does not support the DirectX 12 API library, which is required for some games. This operating system also does not work adequately with modern processors of the Intel Core Kabu Lake family.

Such an operating system is suitable for an old computer or laptop, as well as an undemanding user who does not want to relearn to use the Modern interface.

Windows 10

In the operating system Windows 10, the company Microsoft updated the mechanics of interacting with hardware and managing background processes. That is why it has been possible to achieve greater productivity and economy. However, the transition to the interface and execution environment of Modern applications (also called Metro in earlier versions) resulted in a slight complication of interaction with the system.

So the pluses Windows 10:

1. Virus protection at the system level;

2. Excellent mechanics of interaction between the operating system and the hardware;

3. Support for the most modern technologies like DirectX 12;

4. Regular updates.

The disadvantages are the following:

1. Insufficiently logical, not always familiar interface;

2. A large number of background processes, including telemetry, that load the processor;

3. Incompatibility with outdated drivers and hardware.

As a consequence, Windows 10 is a good operating system for a laptop, a modern computer (including a gaming or specialized one), a 'hybrid', etc. But it is worth remembering that when switching to it from the 'seven' or even older versions, you will have to relearn.

Universal distributions Linux – Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Elementary OS

If operating systems of the family Windows are paid (that is, you need to buy a license to use them), then most distributions Linux are completely free. In addition, they have a familiar user experience and an attractive interface with the same windows.

Some of these operating systems that will not cause difficulty even for inexperienced users include:

1. Ubuntu;

2. Kubuntu;

3. Linux Mint;

4. Elementary OS.

They, among other things, are distinguished by optimal consumption of system resources, sufficiently high performance and a wide range of compatible devices. Nevertheless, for the operating systems of the family Linux, the necessary software is often not released – there are very few games on them, for example. Also, familiar packages like Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop or Autodesk AutoCAD have to be replaced with alternatives that sometimes do not provide sufficient functionality or optimal user experience.

Special NIX distributions

For some purposes, such as building Linux – distributions, developing and signing iOS – applications, writing kernels for IoT devices, etc. you will need to install specialized distributions.

These include, for example, Debian, Fedora, RedHat, tens and hundreds of others. As distributions of the family Linux, they are in most cases universal and can be compiled by the user to suit his needs. However, the specifics of working with hardware and the runtime environment make each of them the most suitable for a particular task.

Summary

The choice of operating system is often limited to a choice of three distributions – Windows 7, Windows 10 or Ubuntu. The first one is suitable for old computers, the second one works better on new ones, and the third one works well on any configurations, but it does not always have drivers and necessary software.

You need to choose based on the specifics of use.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.