Windows and macOS are generally the most powerful in terms of hardware and software options as well as interface conveniences and utilities, while Chrome OS is more lightweight and runs on.
Over my years as a systems developer, one of the most common questions I have gotten from colleagues and friends alike is my thoughts on the most suitable laptop for programming. Well, personally, I use a MacBook Pro and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. There are many different reasons for this and I have my own three favorite ones.
However, before I get to that, I think a more important factor to consider is your personal preference. For any programmer, the important thing is to work with a machine that you are comfortable with. For me, I started out with a windows laptop as it is the one that most of my instructors used. So obviously, I grew accustomed to it and I was more comfortable coding with it. I was able to follow what my instructors did and implement it on my laptop.
But that was a long time ago. I have since switched to a MacBook and having worked with both Mac OS X and Windows operating systems, I understand now why many developers prefer the MacBook. It is more than just a fashion statement for their line of work.
1. Consider UNIX and LINUX and the Mac
UNIX and LINUX are operating systems that are very important to programming. If you are new to the programming world, you are sure to have heard about them. UNIX came first, and then followed LINUX. The reasons why the two platforms are ideal for programmers are: UNIX offers a lot of stability, flexibility and it is also very secure. Most of the websites we use and access on a regular basis are built on UNIX and Linux platforms based on these factors.
LINUX is also another popular development operating system available today. It is very similar to UNIX regardless of it going by a different name. LINUX can be run on both MAC and Windows machines to enable programming. That is actually one of the reasons that I prefer a MAC to a Windows machine.
MACS run full time on a UNIX-based operating system and they are thus more developer-friendly. This explains why MACs are the way to go for many developers. With a UNIX based command line, programming is easier as you are able to run programs in almost any language.
UNIX is also more secure by default compared to Windows. This is the reason why Macs tend to be safer against the tools that hackers use such as malwares, Trojan horses and viruses. The last thing a developer wants is to have their machine attacked by malicious hackers and have their work interfered with especially since most of the time they are online which is a hacker’s playground. To be on the safe side therefore, many developers prefer to work with Macs.
As a systems developer, you may want to get a job at a tech company where you are likely to put your skills to good use. MACs are best due to their UNIX-based command line since many tech companies make their employees work with UNIX-based systems. So, the more conversant you are with the environment the better for you.
2. Mac Build Quality
One aspect that we cannot deny with Apple devices is that they always deliver on quality. Having begun as a Windows user, I have experienced this truth first hand. Within a span of 4 years, I went through 2 Windows laptops, both of which eventually failed me. The second time was even worse as I tried to have the laptop repaired to no avail. Basically, it is easier to have a MAC repaired as it is easy to diagnose and find the issue using their built in software. You, however, do not have to worry much concerning technical issues with a MacBook and that is why developers prefer them in their work.
I have had a successful 5 year run with my MacBook without encountering any technical glitches and for this reason alone I think it is the most suitable laptop for programming.I recommend this machine, not only to developers like myself but to any other person out there that would like to invest in a stable machine.No one desires to have their machine crashing on them with no warning and losing their work progress and personal data.
Plus you get no interruptions while working:
Another cool fact with the MacBook is that you get fewer interruptions while working. Sometimes I spend 8 – 15 hours straight coding and I experience zero interruptions while at it. This is unlike with Windows where various computer operations occasionally interrupt work. Developers need their full concentration while coding and the MacBook offer this luxury.
Windows Vs Macos For It Department Of Business3. Cross-Platform Compatibility
Working with MAC OS X, you are able to run all the major operating systems on your machine, which is a great advantage for programmers. It would be difficult to run OS X on a Windows laptop, and the only time that is possible is if you install hacked versions of OS X. MACs, on the other hand, can easily run Windows and even Linux on a virtual environment.
The advantage with this capability is that while programming, you’ll find that there are tools only available on Windows, while others are only available on MAC OS X. This brings the need to be able to switch between the different operating systems and that is why the MacBook is the preferred machine of choice for programmers.
Another important thing to note is that it is impossible to create any programs for iOS or OS X using a Windows computer. Therefore, if you intend to develop for iOS or OS X at any point, then MAC is definitely the way to go.
Conclusion
When it comes to programming, it is really not about the operating system you are using. Rather, your comfort and preference come first. Programming should be a fun experience and therefore and you should stick to a platform that you understand and that works well with the kind of work you are doing. If you are a full-time programmer, however, you need to consider the benefits the MAC OS offers and I would suggest you work with it. The experience is so much different and better than what you’ll get working with a Windows operating system.
Windows vs. MacOS vs. Chrome OS vs. Ubuntu Linux: Which Operating System Reigns Supreme?Microsoft Windows 10
We break down the top four desktop operating systems and compare them on features to help you pick the one that's right for you.
You don’t have many choices when it comes to operatingsystems, but the choice you make can have far-ranging effects on your computingexperience. The four OSes included here are the most viable options. Though that's not a huge number, they definitely are options, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Threeof them come from gargantuan commercial tech giants, while one, the Linux-based Ubuntu,is a free, open-source option. Windows and macOS are generally the mostpowerful in terms of hardware and software options as well as interfaceconveniences and utilities, while Chrome OS is more lightweight and runs oninexpensive hardware.
Of course, if you need to run software that only runs on aparticular operating system (usually Windows or macOS), then you're somewhatlimited, though there are ways around those obstacles with multi-boot setupsand virtualization software. For example, you can run Windows on a Mac insidea virtual machine (VM) or dual-boot using Boot Camp. You can also create a Linuxpartition on a Windows PC and boot to that when the need arises.
In this mini-roundup, we're just talking about consumer operatingsystems. We'll leave IBM i, Suse Linux, server OSes, and the rest for another day. Even further from the scope of this article are some bizarre and obscureoperating systems most have never heard of.
For a blow-by-blow comparison of the two leading choices,Windows and macOS, read macOSvs. Windows: Which OS Really Is the Best?
An operating system is the software that makes your computerwork at all. It talks to all system and external hardware, loads programs intomemory, connects to the internet, and manages storage on disks. Today's modernoperating system includes slick user interfaces and loads of utilities, tools,and included apps that let you do a lot without even installing third-party applicationsoftware. Those apps include things like photo editors, video viewers and video editors, webbrowsers, email clients, calendars, text editors, and music players.
An operating system also includes tools to keep yourcomputer running smoothly, safely, and malware-free. Most even include built-insecurity features and support for VPNs.Much of an operating system's security and stability is maintained by anautomated update process that makes sure the system receives timely fixes tohardware and software compatibility and vulnerability issues.
With smartphones such a prevalent part of modern life, agood desktop operating system needs to work in concert with those devices. The cloud(aka online storage and syncing) is another prevalent theme in today's technologydomain, and most operating systems integrate with their own cloud services,with varying degrees of functionality.
While Ubuntu is what's known as Free and open-sourcesoftware (FOSS). Chrome OS is based on the company's open-source Chromiumproject, meaning volunteer coders can contribute to the code and third partiescan put out their own versions, but Chrome OS is Google's proprietary versionof that codebase. In fact, you can't even install Chrome OS proper on computerhardware that's not sanctioned by Google, something you can do with Windowsand Linux.
In our linked reviews of the four operating systems discussedbelow, we take into account the following criteria, and they can help informyour choice of OS:
As mentioned above, if you need to run software that's only supportedby one of these operating systems, your choice is already made for you. Forexample, if you want use Final Cut Pro as your video editor and Adobe PremierePro just won't do, your only option is macOS. If you want to run AAA videogames, you'll want to stick with Windows 10. The same holds for peripherals. Youmay have a VR headset or 3D printer that only provides drivers for one type ofsystem.
Without further ado, read on for a summary of each oftoday's top four desktop operating system choices, in order of usage share. Forfar more detail, click the links in each to read our full reviews.
Microsoft Windows 10
Windows powers over a billionPCs, making it by far the most popular desktop operating system on earth. Thisalso means it works with the most hardware and software of any OS, too. Windowshas had its ups (Windows XP, Windows 7) and downs (Windows Vista, Windows 8)over the years, but the consensus is that Windows 10 makes up for a multitudeof past transgressions. It's still not perfect: Glitches still rear theirugly heads now and then, but the current version beats the pants off any of itspredecessors.
In terms of interface clarity, wealth of included tools, andusability features, Windows 10 is hard to match. Full touch-screen support, voiceassistance with Cortana, flexible screenshot and clipboard tools, photo andvideo editors, stylus input, and even basic 3D modeling all come along with it. Those are in addition to the standard tools like (much improved) Mail, Calendar, Notepad, and Calculator apps. The Action Center is a convenience that consolidates notifications and gives quick access tofrequently needed settings.
Moving and arranging windows in Windows 10 is unmatched inconveniences and ease, as is using multiple virtual desktops, with its uniqueTimeline feature. Windows and macOS both include app stores with vettedprograms, automatic updates, and multiple PC capability. Sadly, developers andusers don’t give the attention to these stores that they do to mobile appstores. Unlike macOS, Windows can comfortably slip into a very usable tabletmode, with touch gesture support that negates the need for a keyboard.
If you're into gaming, and particularly VR gaming, Windowsis the only way to go. It also ties in snugly with Microsoft OneDrive cloudstorage and syncing service. OneDrive not only can serve as cloud storage, but letsyou access any files on a PC remotely, automatically save screenshots, and syncOffice documents with autosave. As far as mobile integration, macOS has it beatwith the ties between iOS and macOS, but Windows' story is improving with someimpressive Androidintegrations.
Windows, of course, is not without its flaws. The operatingsystem, though far more secure and stable than it was in the past, still doesn'tmatch macOS or Linux on those criteria. Its interface, though continuallyundergoing polishing with updates, still presents some inconsistency, especiallyin control panels. Speaking of updates, you still hear complaints about problemsresulting from updates. But with a billion copies installed on a myriad of differenthardware and software combinations, the number of affected systems issurprisingly small, though those get the headlines.
Read our full review:Microsoft Windows 10.
Apple macOS
You'd be hard-pressed to find more ardent supporters oftheir operating system than macOS users, who tend to be creative producers ofart, video, and photography. Indeed, Apple's desktop operating system isslick, capable, and reliable. It also ties in well with iPhones and all theother devices from the Cupertino-based tech giant. The choice of computerhardware vendors is limited to a single option, but it's a good one, andthere's a decent selection of form factors, from the Mac mini to the MacBook tothe iMac AIO and the new super-powered Mac Pro.
The interface of macOS is as slick as it gets, with moreconsistency than any of the other choices included here. The dark mode is more uniformly rendered throughout all OS tools, and the Finder (equivalent to Windows' File Explorer)offers tabs and handy preview capabilities lacking in Windows. I do prefer thewindow-manipulation options in Windows, which among other things lets youeasily snap an app to fill half the screen exactly.
Apple's desktop OS is document-based, rather than program-basedlike Windows. That means that every app has the same menu provided by the OS atthe top, rather than inside its own window. This may be the biggest stumblingblock for those moving between the two OSes. Another could be the differencesbetween Windows' Taskbar and macOS's Dock. The Taskbar is more informative andflexible: Sometimes I click on a Dock icon and no window of the programappears on-screen, because of that document-centric approach.
Macs are well endowed with included software and utilities: fromthe very useful Preview utility that offers a quick peek at just about any filetype, to the included office and media apps. You also get Apple Maps, Podcasts,Mail, Calendar, Notes, Reminders, and we can't forget the fine web browser, Safari,which offers good synergy with its mobile counterparts.
Even though the very large iPad Pros appear to be horning inon laptop territory, those tablets can now serve as second screens for Macs,thanks to the recent Sidecar feature in iPadOS. Sidecar also addsa bit of touch-screen functionality to macOS, which only offers touch on theTouch Bar on MacBooks, compared with Windows 10's full touch screen support.Macs do benefit from many clever gesture taps and swipes if you use a trackpad,however.
Gaming has long been something of a weak point for Macs.Though there is a version of Steam for them, you won't find the selection ofAAA titles available for PCgaming, nor is there support for VR gaming headsets(with the exception of using an HTC Vive with Final Cut Pro). The arrival ofthe Apple Arcade game subscription service may improve the prospects for gamingon all of Apple's platforms, but PCMag's gaming expert Jeffrey Wilson has somereservations, which you can read about in I'mNot Excited by Apple Arcade, But Maybe You Should Be. Fans of casual gamesmay beg to differ.
Apple includes good parental controls in macOS with Screen Time, and the systemthat already has a sterling reputation for security has been hardened evenfurther in the latest Catalina version, which keeps the OS and user data onseparate partitions.
Read our full review: Apple macOS Catalina
Ubuntu Linux
What Linux has over all the other operating systems includedhere is that it's completely free and open source—not the product of a hugetech company with profit motives. You can install Ubuntu Linuxon any hardware of your choice: It runs on any hardware that Windows does. Youcan even run the operating system from a live USB stick, averting the need forinstalling it on your computer's storage. You can buy a few computerswith Linux preinstalled, such as the privacy-focused PurismLibrem Mini, and Dell offers versions of its powerful XPS 13 laptops thatrun Ubuntu, mostly aimed at developers.
Despite being free, Ubuntu offersa pleasing interface and a workable selection of included apps. It comes withan office suite, browsers, email and media apps, but there are also apprepositories where you can get more. Its interface resembles that of macOS morethan Windows, but unlike macOS, it supports touch screen functionality (though not as full as Windows' touch screen support).
Linux in general is also customizable with completelydifferent interface shells, and you can find different flavors, also known as distros—Kubuntu,Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Mate, and Xubuntu. These have different preconfiguredsettings, apps, and designs for different purposes and tastes.
Some drawbacks are that Linux requires more tech savvy thanthe other choices here: If you're squeamish about seeing a command line ever,choose another OS. Another is that the support for hardware peripherals andpopular application software is well behind that of Windows, macOS, and evenChrome OS.
Another shortcoming of Ubuntu is the lack of major applications,such as Photoshop and Microsoft Office. Sure, you can find substitutes that do thebasic functions of those, but you miss out on the slickness and rich tool setsof the genuine software.
Windows Vs Macos For It Department Stores
Ubuntu is notable for being about as secure and stable anoperating system as you'll find—no doubt this is why Linux powers so manyservers that demand a high level of uptime. Ubuntu also includes built-inantivirus, and its publisher, Canonical, provides regular security patches andupdates.
Read our full review:Ubuntu Linux18 Bionic Beaver
Google Chrome OS
Google's desktop operating system started life as a simple wayto deliver a web browser and web applications to a computer without muchcomplexity. The idea was for it to be an entirely cloud-powered app, usingGoogle Drive to store all your data. Chrome OS has movedway beyond that, now letting you run Android apps from Google Play. It alsooffers true desktop features like file folders for local files, the GoogleAssistant voice AI, a night mode, screenshots, and tight integration withAndroid phones.
You can find a wide variety of inexpensive Chromebook laptopsand Chromeboxes (the desktop version), as well as more-expensive devices fromGoogle itself, including the Pixelbook ($999 and up) and the Pixelbook Go ($649and up). The OS also supports touch screen and stylus input (in the form of thePixel Pen) and many printer models (though not as many as macOS and Windows).
The operating system's interface is clear and simple, somuch to the point that there's no real desktop like that on macOS and Windows—youcan't pin apps or documents to the desktop—it just sits there looking pretty. TheDock is fine, though not as functional as Windows' Taskbar, but the program launcherand settings are well implemented.
There are two key drawbacks of Chrome OS: One is that it hastwo very different app stores—the Chrome Web Store (which was the only one atfirst) and Google Play, and it's not clear when you should use one and when theother, since there's much overlap in the apps they offer. The even biggerproblem is that Android apps behave inconsistently on Chrome. This is becausemost of the apps were programmed for the small, portrait-mode phone screenrather than the wide computer screen.
In addition to the app store situation, you won't find high-endprofessional applications on Chrome OS, such as the full Adobe Photoshop, MicrosoftWord, or truly powerful video editing software. On the other hand, Google has createda full suite of apps and services for the education market, and there are third-partyofferings for that market as well. One cynical take is that this is a play to hooknew users on the platform young, but the program has indeed made technology ineducation affordable and efficient.
Macos Windows Support
The bottom line is that if you're a student or someone on alimited budget who can do everything you need in a web browser, Chrome OS maybe for you. If you want to play the latest AAA video games, do hardcore video orphoto editing or run advanced hardware like VR headsets or 3D printers, you'rebetter off with another OS.
Windows 10 Vs Macos Catalina
Read our full review: Google Chrome OS
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