Want to buy a new computer, or upgrade the specifications of your current computer? The operating system is the backbone of your computer's interface, and the operating system you choose will have a huge impact on how you use your computer. Consider your current use of the computer, the funds you have, and your future needs to guide you in making a purchase decision.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Determining Needs
Step 1. Consider ease of use
Each operating system has its own learning curve for people who have never used it, but the curve may not be the same for every operating system. All operating systems boast ease of use, but OS X has made this a selling point for years. Usually, Linux is the most difficult operating system to use, but modern Linux distributions are very similar to Windows and OS X.
Step 2. Pay attention to the software you are using
Windows will usually have the widest program compatibility, as most commercial programs are designed for Windows. Mac OS can access an extensive library of Mac-specific software, while the Linux community provides a large number of free and open-source programs as alternatives to commercial programs.
Step 3. Pay attention to the operating system used by your workmates, family, or school
If you will be sharing documents and files with many people, we recommend that you use the same operating system as them to make it easier for you to connect with them.
Step 4. Know the difference in system security
By far, Windows is the most virus-prone operating system, although these viruses can be avoided by adopting safe browsing habits. Mac OS has always had very few viruses, although recently the number has been increasing. Linux is the most secure operating system, because almost everything on the operating system requires direct administrator approval.
Step 5. Consider the game options
If you play computer games a lot, the operating system you choose will determine the number of games you can play. Windows is the leader in the video game market, but today, more and more games are being released for Linux and Mac systems.
Step 6. Pay attention to the available editing programs
If you frequently edit images, videos, or sounds, Mac OS is the system that best suits your needs. Mac OS comes with great editing programs, and many people choose to use Photoshop-like programs on Mac OS.
Windows also has many great editing programs, while Linux has very few editing options with a low level of support. Most editing programs on Linux are open source alternative programs that have most of the functionality of paid programs, but are generally more difficult to use and not as good as paid programs
Step 7. Compare programming equipment options
If you are a software developer, do a comparison of the programming tools available on different operating systems. Linux is the best operating system for creating computer software, while to create software for iOS, you need a Mac computer. IDEs and compilers for most other languages are available across all operating systems.
Due to the large amount of open source code available for Linux, you will have more examples when learning a particular programming language
Step 8. Consider your business needs
If you run a business and are deciding which operating system is right for your employees, there are a few things you should consider. Windows computers will cost significantly less than Mac computers by the same amount, but Mac computers will be better for content creation, such as writing, processing images, video, or sound.
- When purchasing computers for your company, we recommend that you use the same operating system on each computer for reasons of compatibility and ease of connecting to the network.
- Windows is a cheaper operating system and may be more comfortable for your employees to use, but less secure than OS X.
Step 9. Choose between 32-bit and 64-bit
Most new computers usually come with a 64-bit version of the operating system of your choice. 64-bit operating systems allow you to run more processes and have more efficient memory management. Your hardware must support 64-bit to use a 64-bit operating system.
32-bit programs usually run without problems on 32-bit operating systems
Method 2 of 3: Considering the Cost
Step 1. Pay attention to hardware requirements
When choosing an operating system, hardware has an important role in the decision-making process. If you want to use Mac OS X, you will need to buy an Apple computer which is more expensive. Windows and Linux can run on the same software, although not all hardware is officially supported by Linux.
- You can build your own Windows or Linux computer, or buy a ready-made computer.
- You can buy a computer with Windows and install Linux instead of Windows, or install Linux as a second operating system.
Step 2. Pay attention to the price of the operating system
If you buy a computer that includes an operating system, you don't need to think about the price of the operating system because the price is included in the price of your computer. However, upgrading your version of Mac OS X costs $100-150 less than it would cost you to upgrade your Windows version to the latest version.
If you build your own computer, you need to balance the cost of Windows and the ease of use of Linux. Most major Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu and Mint, are free to use
Step 3. Also consider the price of the software
Most software for Linux is free to use. Free software for Windows and Mac is also widely available, but there is a lot of paid software for both operating systems. Most popular Windows software, including Office, requires a paid license.
Step 4. Purchase the full version of the operating system, not the "Upgrade" version
If you want to buy Windows, be aware that Windows is available in two versions, standard and "Upgrade". Generally, you should buy the standard version. Although the standard version is more expensive, it will prevent future problems. If you want to install that copy of Windows on another computer, you will need to install an older version of Windows first before you can install the Upgrade version.
Method 3 of 3: Testing the Operating System
Step 1. Look for the latest version of the operating system
Generally, you should get the latest version of the operating system of your choice, even if the operating system is not very familiar to you, because you will find new features that you did not know but will be difficult to replace once you find out.
- With a few changes, Windows 8.1 can operate like a traditional version of Windows, with new features added to Windows 8.
- If you're still hesitant to buy Windows 8, many computers are still sold with Windows 7, which is more like older versions of Windows. Most sellers also still sell Windows 7.
- Don't buy a computer with Windows XP, unless you're upgrading directly to a new version of Windows or replacing it with Linux. Support for Windows XP has been discontinued, and as a result, Windows XP is a no longer secure system.
Step 2. Try a Linux LiveCD
Most Linux distributions provide an image for creating a LiveCD, which you can start without installing the operating system. The LiveCD lets you try Linux without installing it.
The LiveCD version of your Linux distribution of choice will be slower than the installed version. Any changes you make to the system will be lost when the computer restarts
Step 3. Visit a computer store
Since there is no demo version of Windows, and you need a Mac computer to run OS X, you should try the operating system on a friend's computer or at a computer store. Trying out the operating system in both places isn't ideal, but take your limited time to see how the menus, run programs, and copy files work.
Step 4. Consider ChromeOS
ChromeOS is the more limited operating system of the three previously discussed, but it runs very fast and is available on $200-$250 devices. Roughly speaking, ChromeOS is a Chrome web browser that works as an operating system, and is designed for computers that are always connected to the internet.
