Choosing the best operating system - Windows, Linux, MacOS: ITReviews.com Buyer's Guide
operating systems
02 August, 2011 by IT Reviews Staff
Whether you're buying, building or upgrading a PC, there's one crucial choice to be made: what operating system to opt for. Windows 7? Home Premium or Ultimate? Linux? Or maybe a Mac? Fear not, IT Reviews is on hand to unravel what can seem like a confusing list of options.
This guide deals with the major OSes used by desktop and laptop computers. For mobile OSes such as iOS and Android, used by smartphones and tablets, check out our mobile OS Buyer's Guide.
Your choice of operating system can make a crucial difference to what you can do with your computer, how easy it is to use - and in some cases, can even affect the type of computer you buy. IT Reviews will talk you through choosing the right operating system for you, helping you to get your hands on the software you need at the best price - and avoiding expensive mistakes.
What the operating system does
If the motherboard and processor form the brains' of a computer, the operating system or OS is its mind' - the bit that's responsible for enabling all of the components within to speak to the outside world.
The operating system is the software that runs your computer. It shapes the layout of your on-screen desktop', the system of menus you use to access programs, and even the way data is filed away on your computer's hard drive.
Versions of Linux such as Canonical's Ubuntu (above) are apopular choice among those who want to avoid Microsoft products.
The choice of operating system you make will depend a lot on your budget and what you need to do with your PC - plus your opinions on the leading OS maker, software giant Microsoft.
If you last upgraded a few years ago, the chances are you bought one version or another of Microsoft's Windows Vista. An attempt by the company to update from its ageing but well-regarded Windows XP platform, it's generally considered to be something of a failure: ignored by business and hated by the general populace, Vista was something of a mis-step - and if you get offered a copy cheap, you'd do well to walk away.
The good news is that Microsoft has learned from its mistakes. The latest operating system to come out of the company, Windows 7, fixes many of the complaints users had with its predecessor. Much of the unnecessary stuff has also been stripped away, meaning Windows 7 runs significantly better on lower specification hardware.
The three flavours of Microsoft Windows 7: Ultimate, Professional and Home Premium.
What type of user are you?
For those on a tighter budget, or who fancy using an operating system that's based on freely available open source' code rather than proprietary systems, there's always Linux. Traditionally developed for servers, Linux has made a number of leaps forward in recent years on desktop PCs - thanks largely to the work of distributor Canonical and its version of Linux, called Ubuntu.
If you're buying an operating system on its own, always look at the different options available. Off-the-shelf, boxed retail' releases can be extremely expensive. But there is another option, in the form of the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) editions designed for PC maunfacturers.
While not strictly meant for consumers, these plain-boxed OEM editions do find their way onto the market in various online stores, and offer a significant discount on the price of Windows boxed retail versions.
Those who already own an older version of Windows have yet another option, as they're eligible to buy an upgrade licence at a significant saving.
As with any shopping spree, the first thing to do is to identify your requirements and budget. Are you a budget, mainstream, or premium user? Read on, and we'll help you track down the right operating system for you.
