Broadband Tech > General Questions > Ready to dump Windows, is Mac or Linux better for me?

Ready to dump Windows, is Mac or Linux better for me?

Linux will keep hardware costs down, and has some pretty friendly GUIs, like Mint or Ubuntu.

reply to systemq
All things being equal learning Linux would be a much cheaper proposition. I have all three at home, and I don't find the Mac to be good value, even if I like its ease of use and OS X generally speaking.
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reply to systemq
Another vote for linux. Ether Linux mint or ubuntu would be best. I prefer mint myself.

EDIT: GIMP and libreoffice would be the two most comparable things to use.

reply to systemq
I also vote for linux. Gimp is a powerful image editing tool, and is free to use [with any os I think.].
Openoffice or libreoffice is a decent office suit that is also available on linux systems, as well as being free.

Another plus, is that there are so many different versions that you can try. Ubuntu or Mint seem to be the more popular distros.
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Is a person a failure for doing nothing? Or is he a failure for trying, and not succeeding at what he is attempting to do? What did you fail at today?.

reply to systemq
Many different flavors of Linux provide bootable ISO images that you can burn to a DVD or on a USB memory stick and try them out if you like. I have enough spare disk space on my laptop (DELL Vostro x64 4 GB mem.) that I have a triple boot system with WinXP, Win7 x64 and Linux Mint 14 x64 that I can select to boot into. I'm currently on the Linux desktop.

I'm not all that familiar with PhotoShop, other than the name, so I don't know if Adobe has a Linux port of that application but as already mentioned Linux has many free tools that may meet your needs.

Good luck.

reply to systemq
I guess I'll be the first one to provide the 'value for money' argument from Apple's side. Microsoft does have Office for the Mac where Linux' options are somewhat more limited. Photoshop is also available, along with what I personally use, Pixelmator. The Apple platform is more or less the standard among image editors. I think you'll find the combination of Apple's physical location support and phone support preferable in learning the new system. It also wont depreciate as much so in 3-5 years you'll be in a better situation when you go to buy a new machine again.

If you're not a gamer then the Mac Mini might definitely be worth looking at. Hope this helps.
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Fairy Blessings,
Stefanie

reply to systemq
Unfortunately, Mac. Photoshop can run on Linux, if you want to take the time to tinker and figure out how. Probably the same for MS Office.

Mac, you can just get Office and Photoshop and be done with it.

Understand that Macs are as proprietary as the day is long. AppleCare is a must, and if what you do is mission critical, make sure you live near an Apple Store, or are prepared to be without it for some time if something goes wrong. Also be ready for a shorter obsolesence cycle than Windows machines. Yes, Macs typically last forever, but newer software won't run on older hardware, and upgrades aren't exactly a simple thing most of the time.

Linux is better for cost, but I believe it's still a tinkerers' OS. You need to be prepared to dive into the background of the OS to make it behave the way you want, and get the software you want to run.

Just my opinions. I know MS is pushing subscription for future Office, but I don't recall seeing that for Windows. I do know they're trying to push for a yearly 'update/refresh' cycle for windows, but not make it subscription based.

reply to BloodRoses
Thanks for mentioning Mac Mini, I didn't know about that device. Man that thing is really tiny. Probably would go for that if I choose Mac since I already have a monitor.

Are there any other costs associated with Mac OS X? I read that yearly updates are free which is good. Are there any hints in the Mac world about it becoming subscription based?

Thanks again for all the feedback in this thread. Very useful. I'm going to download a Linux bootable CD and try it out. Mac doesn't have a demo right?

reply to systemq
Microsoft never said they were making Windows a subscription service. There is an Office365 subscription, but there is also the regular Office 2013 if you prefer the traditional box software. Actually, this is an example of stuff people make up on the internet and it somehow becomes fact.

+1, and I'd also point out that if you want to go with a Linux machine and stick with the major system builders, you'll probably end up paying for Windows anyway.

reply to btB

reply to systemq
I guess the demo would be the 14 day return policy.

Apple OS updates are annual and are usually around $29.
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Fairy Blessings,
Stefanie

reply to systemq
I've recently tip-toe'd into the Mac universe... I'm pretty heavy into iDevices (iPods, iPhones, iPads, and ATV's) - but have been Windows and Linux oriented for computing...

I was given a couple of year old MBP - hardware is beautiful, like most Apple stuff... The OSX that was on the machine was way out of date, but for $19, was able to order a new version straight from Apple; on a DVD, that showed up 2 days later. Beat that, M$

GUI wise - Win7, Mac OSX, and most Linux distro's are similar enough that you'll be able to find your way around, in pretty short order.

Apple ties your hands a bit, but the hardware and software being designed together makes everything just work...

I also run a Ubuntu system - it's very usable, but there's a lot more 'under-the-hood' tweaking to do, to get it dialed in - Linux is WAY more friendly then it used to be, but it's still not plug-and-play, either...

There are app's to do what you do for Linux or Mac - Office and Photoshop are both available in native Mac versions, Linux would be 'alternatives' that are similar, but not exactly the same...

If you like to fiddle, give Linux a try - you can use your current hardware, and run a LiveCD to try it... If you want something that just works, go Mac... I don't think either way is 'wrong'...

reply to systemq


Windows 8 is fine. Just load ClassicShell, and you'll practically think you're running Windows 7.

reply to systemq
One major factor: You can try Linux for free on your current computer. To try Mac, you need to buy a new or used Mac (unless you can find a friend or someone who will loan you one). So, my suggestion is to try Linux first, then if you really find out that it's not what you want of need, get a Mac.

Start with one of the "everything works out of the box" distros such as Mint.

FWIW, I use both Linux and Mac; I prefer Linux.

Tim
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"Life is like this long line, except at the end there ain't no merry-go-round." - Arthur on The King of Queens
~ Project Hope ~

reply to systemq
IF I couldn't take Windows anymore. I'd probably move to the Mac software universe for a desktop / laptop purpose. If Linux had to be used, maybe something like Chromium OS.
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"If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand." - Milton Friedman"

reply to systemq
If you are asking this question then you need to take the Mac route.

reply to systemq
Another option for you since you mentionned photo editing, you could install GIMP on your windows machine and see how it works for you.

That way you'd have a pretty good idea of what it's like on Linux, and that would leave you with one "mission critical" item to learn instead of two once you install Linux.
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Support Bacteria -- It's the Only Culture Some People Have

reply to systemq
I have been running mint linux for more then a year. If you want to waste money go with a crapple/mac.