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Following the recent news of Microsoft’s end of Windows 10 maintenance, one of our customers asked us if we recommend upgrading to Windows 10 or opting for another free and open-source operating system, such as GNU/Linux. Other customers ask us whether to use macOS. We are going to give our opinion.
Why not use GNU/Linux?
While GNU/Linux is probably the most stable operating system today and generally has the fewest bugs, it is not an operating system designed for the average user.
Suppose you have an accounting outsourcing business, a company where everyone is just an essay writer or you have your own design studio where their hard skills don’t include GNU/Linux. In that case, you shouldn’t require them to learn it if you’re thinking of switching to it. And here is why.
To begin with, most GNU/Linux distributions come without a graphical interface, so for everyday use (reading e-mails, using POS software, surfing the Internet, etc.), all these distributions are totally out of the question. A graphical interface can be installed, but it is not easy if you have little knowledge.
Other distributions, such as Ubuntu, come with a graphical interface, but you have to set it up, and it is not easy either if you do not have some computer knowledge.
Besides all this, nowadays, almost all applications are developed for Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and macOS, but there are exceptions. For example, the Google Drive synchronization application for PC does not have a Linux version. This can happen with other applications, especially enterprise suites.
GNU/Linux is an amazing operating system for managing a web server, application server, or almost any other use. Still, it is not an operating system suitable for everyone for everyday use.
Beware of macOS
Some of our clients work with GNU/Linux, and there are indeed cases where it is recommended. There are macOS -only applications that have no competition in Microsoft Windows, such as some development environments for programming or graphic design suites. In that case, of course, macOS is recommended if you can afford it, but in any other case, NO.
Why? Because in addition to being 4 to 5 times more expensive a Mac computer than a PC with the same features, they often give problems with things as trivial as connecting a printer. Many tasks are simpler on macOS than on Microsoft Windows (such as sharing a screen), but others can cause you real headaches (such as installing a printer).
In addition, hardware devices, such as some barcode scanners, are not compatible with macOS.
That’s why we don’t recommend Macs for working with management software, which is something you will probably have to deal with in your day-to-day business.
Many customers tell us that they prefer macOS because it is more secure, nicer on the outside, or easier to use. Still, the first is false, the second is true, but some PCs are very similar to Macs on the outside, and the third depends a lot: if you are used to Microsoft Windows, starting to work with Mac is quite expensive.
Microsoft Windows is the ideal operating system for your business
The title of this paragraph is true in 99% of the cases, except for the exceptions mentioned above for macOS or if your work is very technical and you need GNU/Linux for something specific. For everything else, Microsoft Windows.
And from Windows 10 onwards, Microsoft’s operating system has little to envy in terms of stability to GNU/Linux.
In addition, it is a very easy-to-use operating system. It may not be as pretty as macOS, but it is just as functional and is what most people are used to (think, for example, if you have to hire new employees).
A Microsoft Windows license today can cost around $150, which is not an excessively high cost. It is worth paying them instead of using GNU/Linux because you will save a lot of time and headaches. And as for macOS, you will already pay a very high additional cost for the computer, even if it comes with the operating system. Besides, almost any PC you buy already comes with Windows pre-installed, and upgrades are free (not so with macOS).