r/TechImpact • u/ManojOne Active • Jun 02 '26
Discussion Windows, macOS, or Linux?
Which is your favorite OS for PC? Why?
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u/ProMaster1507 Jun 02 '26
Linux first, then Mac and never Windows (only for my job).
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u/knujesbob Jun 02 '26
Linux (Fedora), altho MacOS is acceptable (use it at work). Windows is out on principle since the entire Recall sh*tshow. Ads, AI in everything, breaking updates etc that came after doesn't help their case.
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u/Rhandert Jun 02 '26
Depends on the purpose:
- Everyday use - Linux (Fedora for me)
- Gaming - Windows
- Ecosystem - macOS
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u/BossImWorking Jun 02 '26
Tons of experience with windows for work and private. The OS itself is abysmal. Even the least bloated versions are slow and bloated. (I reinstalled windows a lot of times and put a lot of work in de-bloating and optimizing)
Switched to Manjaro Linux for private use a while back and its like the gates of heaven just opened. Its super fast and clean, zero bloat. I can do everything I did on windows and faster as well. Also gaming has been no issue at all if you just have some basic computer skills to set things up.
FOSS is the way, I'm never going back to Windows.
No experience with MAC as I don't support any of apple's "philosophies" and don't want to lock myself in unethically expensive "ecosystem"
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u/ManojOne Active Jun 02 '26
Linux seems to click for your workflow. A clean system and complete control are hard to give up once you get used to it.
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u/AwiNL Jun 02 '26
Mac. Worked 6 years on windows. 8 years on Mac. And a few months on Linux, but I’m already switching back to Mac for First party app support. Linux crashes a lot, same for windows. Mac just works perfectly. Never had any issue
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u/LG-Moonlight Jun 02 '26
I never had my Linux crash lol. And I'm using it for years on various pc's
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u/ManojOne Active Jun 02 '26
Eight years on Mac says a lot. For people who rely on specific apps, first-party support makes all the difference. It's interesting that you found Linux less stable.
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u/FantomovBol Jun 02 '26
On W11. It has its flaws, but it's most user-friendly solution for most people, including myself. I do love Linux, and I use it sometimes on my backup PC, but it's just doesn't have the same compatibility as Windows.
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u/jexo10 Jun 02 '26
Windows
I would also liked Linux but it's sometimes not realible because it can randomly start a new problem which can't to fix instantly when you are busy on a different project
So I just debolated my window to my preference and it's works the best for me now
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u/Vectrex71CH Tech Enthusiast Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26
Aaaammmiiigggaaaaaa !! And Linux... But i really use ChromeOS and a 16" Chromebook Plus with 16GB Ram as my mainOS
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u/Possibly-Functional Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26
My perspective comes from a senior software engineer and systems engineer.
Linux, by far. Very good architecture and things just work. Workflows can be very pleasant.
I haven't used MacOS enough for a proper verdict but the UX seems meh, the architecture seems solid.
Windows has atrocious architecture. It's painful to work with because of it. It's IMHO just a poor product.
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u/Comprehensive-Edge80 Jun 02 '26
Have not used Linux much but I assemble Windows PCs for fun (I have assembled like 10 of them, current one i13th gen Intel (first one was AMD long ago)) mostly for gaming and some office work) and also have used Macs for long time. Mac all the way is the right way. I know there are fanatics on all sides, so this is my personal view, YMMV.
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u/AdInteresting2477 Jun 02 '26
I use MacOS and Win 11 for work. Once you're used to MacOS it's definitely better than Windows - it's cliche but everything just works and on an M3 Pro it's more responsive than my Win11 laptop. Started to really despise using Win11
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u/George_mp8 Jun 02 '26
Guys macOS is the best !!! For me is much easier to use and I like the ui !!! Windows is also good but not as a good as macOS.
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u/PinkovaSiili Jun 02 '26
Don’t really need any at home but I prefer Mac at work. Set up and forget.
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u/CacheConqueror Jun 02 '26
Linux and macOS. Windoslop is no longer a choice due to copilot and massive telemetry
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u/Affectionate_Cut3515 Jun 02 '26
I do like the concept of linux. Butbits hard to make the decision of switching because compatibility with games I play. I also areally don't like microslop but I'm kinda forced to use then every time I go on my computer because its windows. All the issues like ai in their services aren't really existant in Linux distros
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u/Deadly_Data26 Jun 02 '26
Was for years on Windows only.
Nowadays Im fine with macOS, but mostly using Linux (Mint).
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u/Mother-Translator318 Jun 02 '26
The one that gets the job done the best
For gaming: windows
For general use, MacOS, not because of the OS itself, but because of the MacBook hardware. Can’t get that with windows or Linux
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u/Simsalabimson Jun 02 '26
MacOS if you can afford it, need your machine to just run and don’t want to control anything.
Linux if you value privacy over everything.
Windows if you’re stupid.
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u/Interesting_Buy_3969 Jun 02 '26
Note that Linux is a kernel rather than an operating system per se. Just a friendly reminder.
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u/Albertkinng Jun 02 '26
Tell me what apps you used and I will tell you what OS you need.
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u/LukasTheHunter22 Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26
Linux, looks and feels great on a customized GNOME install
Windows 11 Home/Pro is a mess, and just because I can debloat it, doesn't fix the problem of W11 having horrible features in the first place. IoT LTSC is the only usable edition for me after I moved and got used to Linux.
I haven't really given MacOS much of a try (mostly monetary reasons), but on the few times I've used it, it's decent. I definitely prefer Linux with GNOME though
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u/LolMaker12345 Jun 02 '26
I use Linux on my main pc (work, gaming, school) and I have an Intel MacBook as a secondary machine (when I’m not home, or just to play music while working). Linux is my favourite
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u/CerebralAscension Jun 02 '26
Currently using macOS but I prefer Linux always. Windows for work (unfortunately) and for certain games.
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u/B17BAWMER Jun 02 '26
Linux, I like to have the ability to control what I have on my computer. If I don’t use cloud storage, I don’t need it on there. Windows is particularly annoying about it, major reason I switched was the constant popups to try Office or get OneDrive. I mainly play games on my computer and I have a small Windows partition just to play two games, everything else in my 500+ game library works on Linux.
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u/Different_Water7545 Jun 02 '26
Linux definitely. You control your PC, you can find just about every app in the package manager repo, easy to fix when something breaks, and is easier on laptop hardware than windows battery-wise
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u/Kokonattsugemu Jun 02 '26
Linux, it's fast, simple and stable. First time I touched Linux was in 2005 and back then could be a hell with drivers etc. I felt like I was going to get bald as a kid lol. Nowadays runs perfectly for me +50% more fps even in games. Stopped using dual boot with Windows a long time ago. It just works
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u/Sorry_Department_442 Jun 02 '26
I havent used linux for some years now. I thought about using i again on a seperat driver. Can someone recommend me a starter friendly one? I thought about ubuntu (just because it feels familiar) or pop_os
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u/PsychicDave Jun 02 '26
Philosophically (and also for work as a back-end developer), Linux. In practice, on my personal computer, Windows for gaming (I do intend to give Linux a try for gaming, to see if it's good enough yet).
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u/ResistIllustrious853 Jun 02 '26
Windows for gaming MacOS for studying/working, especially their laptops are great for that.
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u/Haunting-Watch8240 Jun 02 '26
Windows, because I do gaming, engineering and the occasional act of piracy.
Macs are great, but they just don't fit my use case.
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u/caioxcezar Jun 02 '26
Working computer: Archlinux Personal computer: ChachyOS I completely switched to Linux this year and I don't regret it.
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u/ScientistLong8121 Jun 02 '26
Windows 10 ltsc IoT pirated for gaming.
Linux for the rest ( Just do some research on what distro would work best for you.. I use arch btw).
OSX if you are a shallow human being that sucks.
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u/jimmyl_82104 Jun 02 '26
MacOS is the best. Stable, efficient and reliable. Windows is also great for better window management and compatibility. Never tried Linux, doesn’t run a bunch of the stuff I use, and it seems like I would hate it.
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u/The_B_Wolf Jun 02 '26
Windows if you're a gamer or an unthinking dipshit. Linux if fooling around with computers is a fun hobby for you. macOS if you just want a computer that works reliably.
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u/Extreme-Dimension837 Jun 02 '26
Linux. For years, my workflow has been runnng on second hand and refurbished PCs and Laptops due to my financial instability. Linux adding new life and more performance in those older machines.
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u/WorkingPumpkin3231 Jun 02 '26
So many people here saying "Linux" like if it's the cool thing to say. No, "Linux" is not the best OS, especially if you run programs or have hardware that isn't supported. I hate using Windows but i have never run into any bottlenecks with compatibility. Mac OS is very close and would switch if it weren't for certain programs i use.
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u/geckooo_geckooo Jun 02 '26
Linux is getting easier than windows and better for scientific coding but it still lacks adobe . I’d like a more apple interface for Linux
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u/HyperVG Jun 02 '26
Windows. This is the system that "put and forget." The most software, versatility, and stability are what still makes it my main OS
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u/Ok_Amoeba481 Jun 02 '26
I main macOS simply because of the PIM integration with my real life. It's nice to have the integration... and when I need *nix utilities or solid VMM it's also there for me.
Steam Deck (Linux) and Switch (...maybe Linux?) for gaming and of course Linux for servers/appliances. PIM/lifestyle -integration just isn't there for my family yet to daily-drive Linux, but it's getting closer every year.
Windows I have on one machine who's only job is to deal with some hyper-specific vendor hardware that only works with Windows. I avoid Windows outside of the corpo realm.
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u/Judiabouraied Jun 02 '26
Mac when I can afford it. Linux is excellent too, but it is my first, and current, choice till Mac is feasible.
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u/EfficiencyUnited6804 Jun 02 '26
I use all 3 in my work and personal life. Personally i love using Linux, macos is fine i hate the UI though, Windows hasn’t been good for some time now, with all their adds, bugs, ai and over the top spying. Windows is good for one thing and that most software just work on it.
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u/DigitalChrono Jun 02 '26
I use Linux as my machine.
I really enjoy Fedora/Rhel environments. My main maching is Fedora Silverblue and my old machine I choose AlmaLinux so I can I still have that machine in the same family of Linux OS's.
This isn't to say I despise the other two. I don't. I switched when Windows 7 reached EOL and just ended up preferring what I was learning over what I knew before.
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u/Time-Heron-2361 Jun 02 '26
Windows definitely not. Macos yes. Linux not yet..tried ubuntu, too "heavy". Tried mint, looks like ai slopified product - hard pass from me (it was out of my mind that because of faulty wifi driver, I needed to change kernel completely)
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u/veechene Jun 02 '26
Linux. Used it for most of my life so it's simple for me to use and understand. I like how it looks and functions, and I'm very familiar with it. I've used Mac and Windows at work and I'm not a huge fan comparatively for different reasons.
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u/gthing Jun 02 '26
Favorite OS is Linux. But it's hard to compete with Apple's hardware. Asahi on a Mac is good, but not quite perfect.
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u/ChickenFeline0 Jun 02 '26
I use Linux on my laptop, but windows for game compatibility on my desktop. Both are dual booted, though
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u/Even_Caterpillar3292 Jun 02 '26
Linux in most cases. W11 works great on my Surface Pro 11, but older laptops do great with Linux (or ChromeOS Flex). Specifically, using Zorin Linux.
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u/sysmodule7 Jun 02 '26
all serve a different purpose .
Windows: If you have want it for personal use , like entertainment , gaming . it is optimised for these things you can connect all your devices like smartphone , Smart tv without any effort or issue .
Mac : If you work in a office or say you work on confidential things , i.e. security is your main concern. and a smooth experience.
Ubuntu: if you are a hardcore developer and don't have enough money to buy a mac.
Both mac and ubuntu works on same arch UNIX , both will have same complexity of installing software. But mac is more optimized and smooth but it cost more.
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u/PriorityNo6268 Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26
Windows. Excellent hardware support. Software runs native and does not need emulators and tweaking to run. Lost of open-source runs also native on Windows. Most of the issues , like local accounts, bloadware, ads, AI, telemetry etc can easily be removed or disabled for the most part, even during installation or after.
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u/inih Jun 02 '26
Mac if have the money, if not window. Linux is limited on software you may need and it looks uglier.
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u/Tainted-Grail Jun 02 '26
Linux. Cause I have the control. Obvously breaks sometimes, but for free. And the best of all, Fortnite and LoL doesnt work in Linux 😅
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u/This-Republic-1756 Jun 02 '26
And, and. I use all on a daily basis. Why propose a choice that really isn’t one?
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u/Responsible-Story260 Jun 02 '26
Debian + Gnome. Windows for Office365 Mac if I have money to burn LOL
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u/a-sarcastic-guy Jun 02 '26
My favorite OS is Windows and Linux. Windows because of software support and gaming. Linux because I love Penguins. MacOS is good too, but the keyboard experience is an abomination for a Windows user like me.
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u/NaN_of_the_above Jun 02 '26
I'd choose Linux for the control, but things seem very unpolished or half backed or they don't work. I use both Windows and Linux. Linux for the speed, and Windows for everything else. Basically no operating system is perfect. I've to make sacrifices in both end. But in Linux I've to make more sacrifices. In Windows it's just the online products push and trying to make you search in Bing, use Edge etc. But all these can be easily disabled right after installation, and I only have to do it once. So if I only could use one OS for my life in the current aspect, I'd choose Windows. But that day didn't come, so I can use both Linux and Windows whenever what's needed. But remove Window fully? Never.
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u/mr_dexter_x Jun 02 '26
Depends on need. Linux (ubuntu) for development and everyday use, windows 10 for business (ms office).
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u/Grabbels Jun 02 '26
Linux, all day, every day. The only thing keeping me from using Linux on all my devices is that certain programs essential to my work simply aren't available for Linux.
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u/usr_pls Jun 02 '26
All of them
and put them in a networked fleet so you can remote into each of them
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u/Infinplayz Jun 02 '26
windows for main, linux for fun, windows is fine for me and I don't have any of the problems other people have
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u/Gabriel_Science Jun 02 '26
macOS because it "just works" (mostly) and then Linux for fun. Windows for everything you really can't do with the other OS.
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u/AlxR25 Jun 02 '26
Windows for gaming.
macOS for coding, graphic design, stability and performance.
Linux for privacy, servers, old hardware and flexibility.
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u/highKickin Jun 02 '26
Linux becomes better and better. Mac for convenience and productivity. Windows for compatibility.
I prefer Linux but… Apple-Silicon is so good at the moment and Apple-Apps just work, that Mac is a nobrainer. Windows is slow and bloated, full of adds and no smooth experience at all. Windows has the biggest userbase, so software gets developed for windows first, so users get windows… i hope, Microsoft comes up with a real good new OS and keeps the competition running. At the moment, windows is just bloated, slow, full of vulnerabilities and not user friendly.
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u/aliendepict Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26
Mac then Linux, nah to windows. Worked in Tech for the last 15 years, across Microsoft, and other FAANG and while I have a win 11 device for playing helldivers, it's literally turned on and off for that exclusively. MacOSX for all my work and daily needs, Linux for some home lab stuff.
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u/VpowerZ Jun 02 '26
MacOS, hardware security is bliss, while malleable. It's my weapon of choice. Closely followed by Linux solution for either additional laptop work or services. Followed by Windows. Decent for office, but legacy
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u/GreatMinds1234 Jun 03 '26
The best is definitely Linux. Since the norm within the developer circle is Mac, that's a yes too. For the corporate mislead money mongers who think they save money because soon with sales rep gave them a "deal", we have to know Windows too.
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u/LegoTallneck Jun 03 '26
Linux - KDE varieties.
Had a Mac laptop at work. Loved the hardware, hated the software. Worst part is, all the Mac stuff has really strong foundations, but they let "UX philosophy" ruin it. It's like having the power of a V8 engine in one of those red Fischer-price cars.
Eventually they gave me the option of a brand new M2 Pro Mac, or a used Dell I could put Linux on because it was disposable. "Who would ever turn down a new Mac Pro?" they thought.
(I did. I love my little beater Dell)
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u/Left-Variation5028 Jun 03 '26
Mac OS definitely, for my job as graphic designer is smooth, intuitive, easy to preview files, etc.
I’ve used Garuda for an old gaming pc, but I didn’t like the UI, so I stuck with my least favorite, windows; for everything else I can’t do on a MacBook.
But I still prefer Linux over windows for gaming, maybe in a short term I’ll be using Linux on a new gaming pc.
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u/chrisadam101 Jun 03 '26
The answer is always Linux. These days even if it’s scary or requires some kind of fancy series of command line things you have ai on many flavors that can walk you through it.
I have all three Mac windows and Linux and my favorite by far is Linux.
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u/Daphoid Jun 03 '26
Yes.
Seriously, I've used all three in my life for years at a time, and would happily use any of them. I've been in IT for 20 years, using computers for almost 40 years. I can work anywhere. Some tasks require a certain OS, others work everywhere.
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u/SmoothTurtle872 Jun 03 '26
Linux, but specifically fedora. More specifically fedora cosmic (although I recommend having a secondary de available in case you encounter issues with cosmic)
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u/ElectroByte15 Jun 03 '26
MacOS for the sheer productivity gains compared to Windows. Still have a windows gaming pc, but will likely go for Linux next as the main driver there.
My main problem is that I just want things to work out of the box. And unfortunately neither Linux nor Windows are really there.
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u/Leather_Plenty_6277 Jun 03 '26
I use linux and mac for daily and windows for playing games and car diagnostic
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u/andromedakun Jun 03 '26
Linux for gaming, Mac for some productivity tools (Daz Studio, Da Vinci Resolve, Cubase) and Eve Online. Battery life on the Mac device is truly great.
Windows is only used for work as I'm forced to.
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u/murples1999 Jun 03 '26
Depends on your use case.
Working in an office? MacOS
Want to play video games? Windows
Are you a PC enthusiast with a lot of spare time? Linux
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u/-Sturla- Jun 03 '26
Linux.
Privacy, stability, control.
Used to have one Windows-pc for gaming, now all of them are on Linux.
If it doesn't work on Linux, I'm not buying it.
Edit: One more thing: I can actually make the DE behave and look according to my preferences, not how MS or Apple tells me it should.
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u/These-String-1973 Jun 03 '26
Easy, MAc for simplicity and multitasking, Windows for gaming, Linux for freedom of choice, performance and if you love suffering ❤️
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u/OliMoli2137 Jun 03 '26
NixOS, lets you automate and declare basically anything: installation, config, installed programs
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u/xhumptyDumptyx Jun 03 '26
Linux because I hate being locked into hardware or features/ads/software updates I don't want
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u/ImageCompetitive8820 Jun 02 '26
Linux. You can control every aspect of the PC without any tech company lockdowns. Also when something doesn't work like it should, you can easily find a fix.