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Your computer operating system, or OS, is an essential layer of software that manages almost all of your computer's hardware and software resources. This includes hardware compatibility (how devices work), resource management (how much RAM to use), and data storage (managing your hard drives and SSDs).  

PC users often use the operating system that shipped with their computer, but it is possible to change the OS that your computer defaults to with one of these three options:  

  1. You can install an additional operating system and dual-boot your computer, so at startup you have a choice of which OS to run.
  2. You can install virtual operating systems as another application, so you can load it as needed without disrupting your workflow with a restart. 
  3. You can replace your OS entirely, transforming your computer into an entirely new platform. 

Alternative operating systems to Windows

Windows, macOS, and Linux are the three most popular computer operating system platforms. MacOS is Apple’s operating system for its desktops and laptops. Windows is pre-installed on almost all other pre-built computers. Linux (and its many flavors) is rarely sold as a preinstalled option, but it is available, for free, from dozens of websites.  

If you are considering Windows vs Linux or Windows vs macOS as an alternative operating system, this article will take a closer look at these three operating systems so you can decide what might be the right choice for you. 

Most popular desktop operating systems

According to Statcounter, Windows is by far the most popular desktop and laptop OS available today with a global market share of 73.41%. macOS is in second place with 15.49%, and Linux has 4.31% of the market. These numbers combine the different versions of each OS and can vary by country. Apple’s macOS is much more popular in the US, with a 25.57% share of the North American market. 

 

Source: StatCounter Global Stats - OS Market Share

Windows operating system

Windows 11 is Microsoft’s current version of the world’s most popular desktop operating system. Windows version 1.0 was released in November 1985, making it almost 40 years old. Technology has moved on significantly since 1985, and modern versions of Windows bear little resemblance to that first iteration. The basic concepts of a graphical user interface using a windowed environment with a pointer, icons, and menus, have not changed since they were invented in 1973 by the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center.  

Windows 95 saw a modern revamp of the OS and has evolved further in the 21st century with improvements in security and support. Windows is often the default option for most computer users because it is available on a wide range of hardware, from the very cheapest laptop to the most expensive gaming rig.  

Windows’ ubiquity means it enjoys enormous hardware support. Almost everything you can think of to install on your PC is likely to work. Microsoft has also worked hard to provide continued compatibility across different versions of Windows, so many devices are now ‘plug and play’, with no additional setup required from the user.  

Where Apple’s macOS is supported only on dedicated Apple hardware, Windows runs on a wide range of processors and graphics cards. This widespread support has led to its evolution into a modern gaming powerhouse, with some of the biggest titles in the world designed for the PC experience first.  

Finally, Microsoft’s early success was in the business world, and Windows remains as popular as ever for work. Applications like Word, Excel, and Outlook are installed as the standard across hundreds of millions of computers.  

Reasons to choose Windows over macOS and Linux

  • Compatibility and software availability: Windows boasts extensive software compatibility, supporting a vast array of software applications, including the most widely used business, productivity, and gaming software.  
  • Hardware flexibility: Windows can be installed on a wide variety of hardware configurations. This flexibility allows users to build custom PCs or upgrade their systems easily. 
  • User familiarity and support: Many users are familiar with the Windows interface, and because it's commonly used in professional and educational settings, new users often find it easier to adapt to. 

MacOS

MacOS is the name of Apple's operating system. MacOS is designed exclusively for use on its range of desktop and laptop computers.   

The original Mac graphical user interface (GUI), named System Software, was launched in 1984 with the original Macintosh. While this was updated over the next decade and a half, the modern foundation for what is now macOS was released in 2001. Launched as OS X, this new UNIX-based operating system was, in turn, based on another OS created by NeXT, a company founded by Steve Jobs during his time away from Apple. Following Job’s return to Apple in 1997, this operating system, named NeXTSTEP, evolved into today’s macOS.  

The new UNIX foundation of the Mac operating system meant a complete overhaul of the software, but the new platform also meant more privacy and security for users as well as modern features such as true multitasking and a protected memory architecture. With the release of OS X 10.5 Leopard in 2007, OS X was officially recognized as a UNIX operating system by The Open Group.  

Despite its small market share, software availability on macOS has not been limited. Apple hardware dominated the creative sectors in the 80s and 90s, which has given the company a strong pedigree in quality software support. Today, thanks to its UNIX heritage, it is a popular platform for coding, data, and scientific work. You will be hard-pressed to find an application that does not do what you want, even though it is on a Mac.  

Generally speaking, while Apple may have fewer options for software tools, the applications it has tend to be high quality. Apple’s own suite of pre-installed software such as iMovie, Keynote, Pages, and Garageband, are good examples.  

Apple’s biggest weakness, when compared to Windows, is its support for games. Modern games are very demanding, and Apple’s unique architecture and smaller market share means that publishers don’t always see the value in native releases for the platform. Solid virtualization tools like Virtualbox or Parallels mean it's still possible to play Windows games on a Mac, but hardware limitations may become apparent.  

Perhaps the biggest downside to using macOS is that it is only available on Apple’s own hardware. Mac laptops and desktops are premium devices, but they have a dedicated fanbase and Apple’s latest M4 processors are very powerful.  

Reasons to choose macOS over Windows and Linux

  • Integration with Apple ecosystem: macOS is tightly integrated with other Apple products, such as iPhones, iPads, and the Apple Watch, providing a seamless user experience across devices.
  • Design and usability: macOS is noted for its interface and reliability. It's designed to work exclusively with Apple’s hardware, meaning developers have a much greater level of control over their user’s environment and can optimize for performance accordingly. 
  • Security and privacy: macOS has a strong reputation for robust security and privacy protections, which are appealing in an increasingly security-conscious world. 

Linux (UNIX)

Linux, like macOS, has its origin in the UNIX operating system. The Linux kernel was created in 1991 by the Finnish developer Linus Torvalds. It was designed to be a free and open-source alternative to a true UNIX system, which was very powerful, but also expensive.  Torvalds based his kernel on UNIX standards, so it maintained the conventions and principles of UNIX. 

Desktop Linux

The Linux kernel became the foundation for a wide range of operating systems, all of which are collectively referred to as ‘Linux-based’. Linux underpins some of the most widely used operating systems in the world. Linux is used widely in enterprise servers such as those used by Amazon and Facebook. It is used in embedded systems like routers, is responsible for hosting most of the world’s websites, and runs all the top 500 supercomputers in the world. Unix is also the basis for the Android operating system, which has 71% of the mobile operating system market.  

The ubiquitous Linux kernel makes these systems essentially identical under the hood, but they can support very different computing environments. For example:  

  • Ubuntu is a popular desktop alternative to Windows. 
  • Debian is a popular server operating system. 
  • Pi OS is a version of Linux created for the tiny Raspberry Pi.  

The flexibility of Linux means that you can choose one version but completely replace the interface. You can make it look and feel like Windows if you choose but with all the benefits of a UNIX-based system.  

Its open-source nature means that users have full and unrestricted access to the operating system. If you have the technical knowledge, you can change the OS in any way you can imagine. Remember that it is a free Operating System though—if something breaks, it's up to you to fix it! Windows and macOS are commercial operating systems which prevent the user from making unauthorized changes. Nothing is off limits in Linux, as long as you have the skills.  

This makes Linux an ideal choice for users who see computers as a hobby where they can learn, tinker, and explore, compared to those who see computers as appliances intended to fulfill a task, such as browsing the web. 

Reasons to choose Linux over Windows and MacOS

Customizability and open source: One of Linux’s biggest strengths is its customizable nature, which allows users to modify their OS extensively. Being open-source, it also attracts users who wish to understand or tweak their system’s workings. 
Cost: Linux is free software (support may be a paid option), which makes it an attractive option for those who want to avoid the cost of a Windows license or expensive Apple hardware. 
Performance and security: Linux is known for its efficiency and runs well even on older or less powerful hardware. It's also considered very secure and less targeted by malware. 

What operating system will you use?

For day-to-day use, most people are happy with the OS that shipped with their computer. It is often the platform they are already familiar with.  

For enthusiasts, hobbyists, and PC builders, there are lots of choices. Software like Virtualbox makes it easy to experiment with a new OS so you can explore without having to reinstall your whole computer (remember that you will take a performance hit with virtualization), and if you have an old PC lying around, this is the perfect way to give it a new lease of life. 

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