Windows, Mac or Linux? Choosing the Right System for You

If you're like most people, you're reading this sitting at a PC running
Windows. However, you've probably heard of Macs and Linux. Or maybe
you're a Mac or Linux user. Which of these three systems is the best
one for you? This article helps you decide.

A PC running Microsoft Windows?

The majority of computers sold these days are PCs running Windows XP or
Vista. By getting a Windows PC, you'll find a lot of hardware,
software, support, and computer books available to you.

You'll also find that Windows is relatively easy to learn compared to
Linux, and if you get stuck, you probably know a family member, friend
or neighbour who's a Windows expert.

On the downside, Windows tends to attract a lot of viruses, spyware and
other nasty software, so make sure you keep your anti-virus software up
to date. It can have stability issues, too; be prepared to reinstall
software, or maybe Windows itself, occasionally, to keep things running
smoothly. You can also end up spending a lot of money on third-party
software to get the functionality you need.

Windows is great for relative beginners, PC enthusiasts, computer game
players, and folks who need a high level of compatibility with their
work and friends' PCs.

An Apple Mac?

The second most popular setup after a Windows PC is an Apple Mac. Macs
are different to PCs in that the system, Mac OS X, is tightly tied to
the Mac hardware; you can't run Mac OS X on a PC (though you can run
Windows and Linux on a Mac).

On the plus side, this tight integration means that Macs are generally
very stable. You'll also find that Macs are very easy to learn for a
beginner, though if you're used to Windows it'll take you a week or two
to switch to Mac OS.

The bad news is that you're tied to Apple as a hardware supplier, and
Apple's computers do tend to be a bit pricier than most PC equivalents,
although the quality of the hardware and the relatively trouble-free
running of Mac OS does help to offset the extra cost. As with Windows,
prepare to spend some extra cash on third-party software, though Macs
come with some great built-in software for jobs like photo editing and
movie making.

Macs are perfect for absolute beginners, creative types, and people who
want their computer to "just work" with a minimum of fuss.

A PC running Linux?

In recent years a third option has appeared for the home user: Linux.
This versatile system can run on PCs, Macs and even mobile phones.
While not as user-friendly as Windows or Mac OS, its ease of use and
compatibility are improving constantly. Best of all, it's completely
free, and there's a huge range of free software available for it, so
it's a great choice if you're on a budget. Generally speaking, Linux
tends to be more stable than Windows and doesn't carry such a risk of
virus infection.

Linux comes in many different flavours, known as "distributions". A popular choice for home use is Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/),
which is just about the easiest to use Linux distribution out there.
You download a CD image, burn a CD, pop it in and reboot. You can run
Ubuntu straight off the CD, or install it onto your hard drive as well
as, or instead of, your existing system.

The main problem with Linux is that not all peripherals - such as web
cameras and printers - play nicely with it; however, peripheral support
in Linux is much better than a few years ago.

Linux is a good choice if you're technically minded, you don't fancy
forking out for a Mac, you like the idea of a vast range of totally
free software, or you'd simply like to try something different.

At the end of the day, the best system for you is the one you feel most
comfortable with and that also helps you get your stuff done easily.
It's worth spending some time with all three setups if you can, then
choosing the one that feels right for you.