Poll: OS war, 2007
By Ryan Block 
posted Oct 16th 2007 9:10PM
posted Oct 16th 2007 9:10PM
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XP FTW!
No matter what you're a fanboy of you have to agree that all three major OSs mentioned are very good.
OSX is getting the recognition it deserves, Vista is coming around and should be as stable as XP soon and Ubuntu is bringing Linux mainstream.
Who cares about the increased stability of vista when it sucks up resources like a vacuum. If i pay for expensive hardware, i don't want a freaking OS getting in the way of using the hardware to its full extent. Of course, I am also planning on switching to it for DX10 gaming (it will be booted for that ONLY - as photoshop/bridge are my true home as a photographer and they need resources)
It wouldn't even be that bad if microsoft hadn't been so ignorant to the RAM wall that hardware intensive people are running into. Sure, 64 bit addresses this, but wait! The drivers are just not there and neither are the apps?! Oh crap - i suppose they should have just created a single 64 bit OS.
but they didn't and here i am complaining about it.
vote whatever u want, ur wasting ur time. vista / xp will always win.
As an aside, could the Engadget editors talk to someone about the color of the poll bars (currently an extremely light grey)? I didn't even know they were there until I tilted my screen all the way back. Visibility is good.
Thanks very kindly! Sorry to post offtopically.
There are poll bars?
Contrast and brightness adjustments on your monitor and OS are your friend. The lines appear just fine, then again, my contrast/brightness ratio isn't out of whack.
> Who cares about the increased stability of vista when it sucks up resources like a vacuum. If i pay for expensive hardware, i don't want a freaking OS getting in the way of using the hardware to its full extent.
This is so farking true. This is 2007, and my laptop has two 64-bit cores running at 2.4GHz and 2GB RAM! If I showed it to people back in the 70s and 80s, they wouldn't be able to understand why it doesn't boot in two seconds and launch simple apps like web browsers instantly!
Hardware isn't just advancing, it's trying to keep up with modern OSs and software so everything doesn't just slow down over the years!
VISTA is awesome.. in before Mac Fanbois'
I agree 100%
This whole story screams flamebait. I therefore would like to use the opportunity to endorse ars technica http://www.arstechnica.com
I've had horrible expreiences with it personally. Slow downs, inexplicable temporary freezes, blue screen crashes. (and no I don't have a virus)
If you turn off the eye candy" options it becomes very clear that it's basically XP with a bunch of cruft grafted on. I am very underwhelmed.
It is said that Microsoft's betas are everyone else's alphas and their inital releases are actually betas. IMHO this is very true of Vista.
Vista may n fact become a really good system but I'd give it a year for them to get the thing really running right.
@bombastinator: Wow. I didn't know all that was possible. I haven't experience anything like you've had.
Vista works great for me.
The eye candy you talk of, is just an extra thrown in. Don't like something nice? Then choose the Classic look.
I find Vista to have some of the nice goodies in OS X Tiger, and at the same time, be able to at least support and function with more things. And in the future, probably support just as much stuff as XP.
So it's like the best of both OS's.
And it's not really Microsoft to bend around Vista, but it's more like the market trying to get onto Vista. Until more companies produce more software that works with Vista, there's still going to be some incompatibility going on.
I'll give it a try.
It's time for some fresh air on the gadget blogs.
@ bombastinator
About tht part about microsoft releasing sowftware in beta, Do u use OS X ?!!! they didnt get it finished till 10.4!
srsly it aint just microsoft im waitin till 10.5.1 till i get leopard
haha, when i voted there was exactly one vote for everything
Hmm... Yeah, but then things got skewed. If they had put Ubuntu as the top alternative, or even XP instead of OS X, things would look a bit different. The top alternative almost always gets the most votes. But I'm guessing the unbiased *snicker* people of Engadget already knew that.
Windows XP users UNITE!
Bad spellers of the world UNTIE!
Ubuntu will rule the galaxy...
XP is OK but not nearly as nice as Ubuntu...
who uses dos?
Gamers. (Yes occasionally we want to pull out Wing Commander III.) industrials hardware, etc. Basically one off weird implementations.
Not gamers, just you.
http://www.the-underdogs.info has many games requiring DOS/emulators. I was just playing F-14 Tomcat (1990) and an old version of Oregon Trail (Cd from 1992) this afternoon.
OH MAN WCIII
that game was awesome, i must say.
dos is a nice OS because you get to run in real mode *and* there's a common method of loading drivers. if you're writing a simple real mode app for a boot disk but don't want it to be platform limited, running it on top of dos would let you swap out the drivers it uses and allow it to run on any platform. also, it gives you support for a simple file system without any bells or whistles to store resources for your app. you see this a lot; for example, the symantec ghost boot disk/cd runs dos.
Apple: 137 (40.7%)
So that is why the comments always reek of mac-fan-boism
HOLY GUACAMOLE!!
My thoughts exactly, man does this mean that engadget is full with fanbois? or that only fanbois have enough time on their hands to waste(like mua)??
I voted xp but I do like the new leopard, if it were available in vaios it would have been my pick, (with the boot camp fcours)
Funny, I've always had the impression that Apple haters significantly outnumber the "fanbois" in the comment sections (please tell me you're not old enough to drink if you use that term, by the way).
I almost voted for Leopard and I don't even have or plan to get a mac. It looks great, but I'll just stick with XP for now
Well with SP3 for XP reportingly turning XP into Vista I guess things are going to be dicey.
So now if Apple wins this poll (in your mind) it's not because Leopard's a better OS, but because the fanboys are here. Leopard's better, deal with it!
It's because all us Apple users spend less time trying to fix things, we get our work done, then have time to browse engadget while ya'll wait for your hard drives to defragment. Wow.I do not miss those days. OS X ftw, and some love for XP too, we had our highs and lows, but the divorce was bitter!
I usually associate l337 stuff with losers, and geeks alike, (such as people wasting time in the internets and voting on OSs polls) but I do like the word fanboi, don't you?.
even tho its a ubergeek term "fanboi" sounds very nice and sweet in a demeaning way, it just rolls out my tongue like delicious cursing does, it's even better when you stretch the final i.
by the way do think every one that voted for leopard already tried it? I mean it hasn't come out has it?
And giving your vote (even tho its just a internets poll) without even trying the product first, doesn't make you feel a tad stupid? not that you ARE stupid fcurse
I'm not implying the you would be so stupid as to buy something just because it was made by a company that has a catchy name and if you don't get it you'll be uncool
thats exactly what i was just thinking to myself...
@Ireland
Sure, Leopard better. But at a cost...
You need a mac to run Mac OSX...
And ...oh wait? How much does a new Mac cost? Hmm, the last time I checked, a macbook costs over $1000...
I don't know, but $1000+ is a pretty high price to pay just to run a pretty cool, virus-free, operating system.
I am completely fine with the fact that Mac OSX is a pretty sweet operating system and that everything just works. But if I have to buy a $1000+ system just to run a $120 operating system...Yeeeah...You know, that is a pretty high price to pay...
Anton,
Windows users around the globe: 90+%. So that is why comments on all publications, paper or digital, have high praises for XP & Vista, and reek of MS-fan-boism? "Screw Vista, I'm sticking with XP" is getting more votes than "XP", you think OS X users managed to made that happen while voting for Leopard?
I saw that too and was surprised, but shouldn't have been.
Remember, kids: Apple fanatics are more numerous and vocal on the Internet, where they don't have to actually confront people face to face.
"It's because all us Apple users spend less time trying to fix things, we get our work done, then have time to browse engadget while ya'll wait for your hard drives to defragment."
No, it's because all you Apple users don't have real jobs or (for the college kids) majors, and your "work" for the day includes dumping all your dirty laundry into a basket and leaving it at the top of the basement stairs so your mom can come wash it.
See, I can make broad sweeping generalizations and propagate stereotypes, too. Except I won't, because then everyone would think I was a rabid zealot who thinks OS choice is a reflection of character, not preference.
@Brad:
Jeez. Lighten up. The only ones doing so, are US KIDS. Why? Oh right, because WE ARE MINORS. So, next time, re-think your comment.
@Anton:
There's the Mac Mini that costs 600$, plus I bet you can (as in any other computer) buy extra hardware and replace some insides, like the processor, hard drive, and graphics card. Or you can get Apple to do so.
Macs may cost a lot, but they sure beat the trouble of buying a new computer every 3 years for us computer "geeks".
Plus, Windows XP is proved to "collect dust" over the time, even when using it for simple stuff. I can testify in favor of that.
----
-Smiley out.
DOS fo' life. Thats how real gangstas roll. Graphical interfaces are for little girls, real men use command line interfaces.
Google image search "Real Man"
The one that says Dapper is the one that I think you look like
Yes, but real men use command line interfaces that run on linux. WEPCrack just isn't the same on DOS.
Your not a man unless you spend 5 minutes typing out commands to run a word processing application.
xp until vista sp10
xp until microsoft comes to their senses, dumps vista, and creates xp2
Gutsy Gibbon? Wasn't that a Saturday morning cartoon show in the 1960s?
I don't even know why they put these polls up. Engadget, you already know the answer. Honestly, Gutsy is probably the most exciting release this year, it is right at the cusp of making Linux accessible to the masses, and the functionality it provides, as well as the eye candy, trump Mac OS and Windows Vista. I don't think Leopard should even be thrown in here, as every year we get another version of OS X.....
Occasionally the answers can surprise you! Besides, would you rather we just ignore what our readers think about things?
Personally, I can't wait for Fedora 8 to roll out.
Most of them, yes, but I do see your point. I just hope that Ubuntu gets what it deserves (even though they are trying to take over the world and destroy kde....)
Always funny to see Linux fans talking about how "this distro's going to be the one that makes Linux accessible to the masses!"
Year, after year, after year...
"Most of them, yes, but I do see your point. I just hope that Ubuntu gets what it deserves (even though they are trying to take over the world and destroy kde....)"
I'm just as excited about the new release as anyone, using the Kubuntu version though.
Offtopic: Can't wait for KDE 4! :D
@SnowB:
Ubuntu is making Linux accessible to the masses, it has been doing that for years and is getting very close to the "it just works" thingie. I had tried several different Linux dists before Ubuntu, but none of them really worked for me.
We're getting closer to the point when the only thing Ubuntu can't give you is gaming support. As for me I already think it's giving me plenty more than Windows ever did...
Windows 3.1 for me
I only voted DOS because they didn't let me write in Windows for Workgroups 3.11....
To be honest, at a friend's workplace I do tech support for, the manager is (still) running a 1992 IBM Thinkpad with Windows 3.11. Works "like a charm", he says, on a 2-bit LCD screen with whoppin' big contrast and brightness sliders, one on each side of the screen. Apparently, the only problem he ever had was in 1998, when the red plastic ...mouse... in the middle of the keyboard disintegrated. I guess it took a while to explain to IBM support what model his computer was, but after several tries he got through, and IBM mailed him 3 or 4 plastic covers for the "mouse" for free. A decade later, he still speaks highly of IBM's customer service. As he works happily on a computer and OS that is only slightly younger than I am.
Although, finding a batch converter to OpenOffice from Works 2 (!) was a lot of fun. ;-)
HA! Im triple booting Vista, Mac OS X and Ubuntu! I just installed Ubuntu this morning. All on my thinkpad tablet.
isn't it illegal to run os x on a pc?
I'm actually close to that - buying a new iMac with Leopard (and XP Pro for Bootcamp and VMWare Fusion), and I've got a ThinkPad with Win 2K and Ubuntu Feisty (soon to be Gutsy).
Imagine the confusion I endured when faced with the 1-answer only Engadget OS poll.
My desktop setup is exactly that, triple booting Tiger, Vista, and Ubuntu and running flawlessly. John, as far as I know, the work-around for the legal loophole is to purchase a copy of OS X and never install that copy but use the hackintosh edition thus paying Apple the full price for the os.
I have been running OS 10.6 on my homebuilt PC for 2 years now dual booting with XP, i used it for a while but then i started getting miffed about the lack of driver support in the build for a PCI nvidia card (even the homebrew drivers werent cutting it - no dvi --> no use)
glad to see some more osx86ers
@John- I guess if you live in the States it is, but I live in China. I bought my pre-patched OSX disk from an Apple reseller here. I can argue that as far as I can tell it's genuine- after all, they are authorized by Apple, right? (It's probably not, but Apple doesn't fly in execs from the US to check up on every reseller; some Apple China employees do that, and they could be convinced to look the other way if it gets them money...)
actually, Jamar0303, i'm from canada(the country north of the US, and no, right now there is no snow) and it is illegal to run OS X on a non-apple product. so thats why i use a mac with parallels desktop
psssh, whats the fun in that?
;)
haiku os all the way
For me it's,
Open Source: Ubuntu
Proprietary: Leopard
While Ubuntu is the most friendly linux distro, it is far from being ready for everyday consumers.
There are a few things that should go under the restricted drivers manager, DVD Playback codecs, MP3 AAC & WMA Codecs, Java and Flash Installation, ext.
I'm running the Gusty RC on my PC as we speak, it is a massive leap forward compared to Eft to Feisty, but it isn't quite ready yet.
Whoa, 44% for Leopard?!?
I voted Leopard, but I'm pretty surprised by these results. I mean, this isn't TUAW...
WHAT!? I thought it was??? Why is every other story related to Apple then?
I want my PUNCH-CARDS DAMNIT!
And on that fateful day Apple gained a 40% market share and all while Jobs & Co said it was secure the Pandora's box of malware befell the beloved large cat named OS while Gates laughed from his lair... Oh Jobs surely you didn't think that the evil coders would leave you alone just because of design ascetics!
Didn't you mean asthetic? Ascetic is quite a bit different...
and didn't you mean aesthetic?
design ascetics = design nomadic monks
wtf????
firefox 2 has spell check...
John, don't you mean aesthetic? Asthetic isn't a word...
ok douche bags we know what he meant....deal with the point....OSX is virus free b/c its a whopping 1% of the marketshare....As it becomes more popular Apple will see more viruses...Its not coded superior, it just simply hasnt had th ebarrage of hackers attempting to disect it
Yes, I meant aesthetic. Kudos to all of you for your astute observations. You've caught a once-in-a-blue-moon spelling error.
Actually, Firefox 2 did not try to spell check it for me which is really odd since I tried spelling it wrong in this box and the red underline showed up this time.
Interestingly enough, considering Apple design, it could have been ascetics as well as aesthetics. Ascetics in the sense that Apple products aim for a plain, simplistic beauty and aesthetics in the sense that their products are still of a material nature - something an ascetic would abstain from.
I doubt anyone will see this now that the article is a couple of days passed, but there you go kiddies.
To the person who said we get a new version of OS X every year... Get your head out of your ass and use a real operating system.
Ps, I would rather have a new OS every year (or so) that provides new features and functionality instead of an aging OS that comes out with a "Pack" to fix flaws and security holes.
Pps, GUTSY GIBBON FTW!
Zhep ebrilo
Leopard now, OS X FOREVER!!!
...or at least until OS XI.
All OS's suck. Apple, Microsoft, Linux, BSD, DOS, OS/400, VAX, etc, etc, etc. They all suck.
punch cards for you sir!
Why is he ranked low? He is completely right. Every last OS has some glaring flaw in it.
Leopard, of course.
I note there was no option that allowed the voter to convey that they will be using XP for the foreseeable future but have no strong feelings either way about vista.
Probably because its a poll not an autobiography on your feelings on Windows.
Go Punch Cards!
Now in all seriousness Vista looses this hands down, for the longest time I've been a marginally happy windows user but ever since I've gotten Vista I've wanted to smash my laptop and convert to Mac.
Porch DOS
4
life!
I'm sticking with Tiger, weird huh?
same here, fernando!
I'm running openSuse Linux 10.3. Just switch from Ubuntu yesterday. Yast kinda sucks, but the rest is great.
Hmm...I use them all on my various laptops/desktop systems and FreeBSD on my servers. Wait, I haven't udpated Ubuntu to Gutsy Gibbon yet and I'm obviously waiting for Leopard to drop.
I don't know. Each has their own place, but I'd say I use Ubuntu the least. We'll see with Gutsy Gibbon though.
XP, Vista, and Debian for me. You see, I get the games and Adobe suite with XP and Vista, the pretty interface with Vista, and more programming tools and the only benefit of OS X (SMP threaded apps) runs better on Linux.
OS X is the worst OS ever created, next to Solaris (when used as a desktop OS).
You have the same first name and last initial as me! Weird!
what about, Dual Boot Vista and Leopard FTW!
A couple things suprise me about this:
A) I knew Engadget was heavy on the Jobs-worshipers, but not that much. I figured it'd be about even with XP
B) I can't believe that many people are so fond of Vista. I'm using it on about half my Windows PCs now, but when forced to pick, I go with XP (and not just because it's easier to pirate..)
C) Obviously this is not a normal poll. We all know what would happen if this was run on Slashdot (Split between Linux and Punch Cards, obviously).
Leopard with a Boot Camp XP partition and VMWare Fusion for me.
yea!!! Mac users get to pay for a service pack.