Poll: Which OS do you prefer?

We were just wondering for no particular reason: which OS do you prefer?

Which OS do you prefer?

OS XWindowsLinuxVote

[Phil @ Nov 4th 2008 12:32PM]

mac os x for work and serious/important stuff. vista for teh gamez.

[Sheldon @ Nov 4th 2008 12:43PM]

Exactly Phil, there is no "preferred" OS; different OS for different uses.

Personally, I have to use Linux, WinXP, Solaris for work and use WinXP at home mainly for games compatibility.

[VampireHunter Z @ Nov 4th 2008 12:43PM]

Wow, the poll results truely reflects the demographic that visits engadget. That explains all the Apple fanboyish crap.

[phanbouy @ Nov 4th 2008 12:45PM]

that's right vampire. because anyone who votes for OSX is "fanboyish crap" and Windows.. well, just a "real American".

[Vidikron @ Nov 4th 2008 12:48PM]

@phanbouy

He didn't say that. Not even close.

[Kamokazi @ Nov 4th 2008 12:49PM]

Ironically I just pulled the site stats for the last 6 months from our company's website. We're a little biased towards windows because most of our visitors come from bigger corporations, but we are in an 'artistically inclined' industry where we see a decent number of mac users. Here are the rough numbers:

93% Windows
7% Mac, Linux, or other (overwhelmingly Mac...Linux was less than a percentage point)
11% of the Windows users where using a browser other than IE....overwhelmingly FF.

[Colin Potter @ Nov 4th 2008 12:52PM]

OSX for Photoshop, Word processing, video editing, web browsing, Vista for games... and linux for 1337

[maveric101 @ Nov 4th 2008 12:51PM]

i don't think vampire was saying all mac users are annoying fanboys. many are reasonable people who just prefer Mac OSX, which is fine. there are raging fanboys on both sides, just mac fanboys seem to be more outspoken imo.

personally, i prefer windows. note the word prefer. there is no right and wrong. it's what people prefer and what suits their needs.

[Boarderwoot @ Nov 4th 2008 12:51PM]

I tried to do some work on a mac using OSX and the rendering caused it to burst into flames. I liked the flashy interface but didn't get to use it long enough before I had to call the fire department to make a sound decision so I'm gonna have to go with windows.

[Backlin @ Nov 4th 2008 12:54PM]

@Phanbouy:

Yeah, just like real Americans buy Corvettes and the rest are pansies.

[Maneki Neko @ Nov 4th 2008 12:54PM]

@Vampire

Yeah no kidding, though you know what they say about causation and correlation. I wonder if some number of Windows users have become so sick of Engadget's constant Mac cheerleading that they gave up on this site. Definitely can't explain the whole result, but may be part of it.

[nerdtalker @ Nov 4th 2008 12:57PM]

That's the thing, I can't nail down a "favorite" OS. I love 'em all.

Linux - Servers, Stability, Science (Use it at work for everything, all my other stuff)
OS X - Stable, Simple, Easy to teach (Great if you want a few things done fast)
Windows - Widespread, Compatible, Fun, More Hardware (Weakest link is still hardware drivers. Nail those down and you've got a great OS)

I guess we'll finally glean what the majority of Engadget readers are. Mac, or PC.

[phanbouy @ Nov 4th 2008 1:05PM]

sorta @ Maneki:

if article == nonapple negative article
PRINT "zomg teh applez bias!11";
else
if article == neutral poll
PRINT "i wonder how many non applez fanboys have left teh biassy engadget teh suck!!";
else
if article == apple negative article
PRINT "zuhh!!! finally something bad about apple; decided to get steve's schlong out of your mouth?";
else
PRINT "in before someone mentions iphone!";
END

[TVGenius @ Nov 4th 2008 1:11PM]

Do bitter Pennsylvanians cling to Windows?

[Urkel @ Nov 4th 2008 1:15PM]

The only thing Internet polls measure is how inaccurate internet polls are. The reality is that "average users" don't care about surveys or ads or wasting their time in meaningless polls, which means the only people voting are the "die hard" enthusiasts who feel they have something to prove.

[Todd @ Nov 4th 2008 1:19PM]

Interested to see if this OS poll result end up matching the Presidential voting results, like exactly, down to the fractional percent.

[Dustin Hess @ Nov 4th 2008 1:22PM]

I use OS X for my day to day grind, on both a laptop and a desktop.

I have a Ubuntu server for my various NAS/UPNP needs.

I boot my iMac into windows when I want to use it to play a game.

I don't think there is a really prefered OS.
I like OS X's user interface, and typicaly quality and polish of applicaitons, but I don't like the high price of hardware and the relatively low number of apps availalbe.
I like Ubuntu's speed, ability to run on anything, and the sheer number of programs availalbe right through the repository. I don't like that Ubuntu still isn't as polished as OS X, and that I sometimes have to dive into terminal.

I like Windows number of applications, and the fact that it's the "mainstream OS". I actually like vista's UI quite a bit, but I don't like the fact that it's very resource hungry, and the network sharing utlitily (both samba and upnp) are IMHO terrible.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Nov 4th 2008 1:23PM]

I'm not surprised to see Windows and OS X roughly equal, but I am surprised to see Linux so far behind. This same poll on slashdot would probably have Windows and Linux swap numbers. I know engadget isn't quite the same crowd, but thought Linux would make a better showing than it has so far. Then again, many of the pro-Linux posts I see here seem like the uninformed opinion of someone who once installed Ubantu and used it for about 5 minutes.

Personally, with all of the time I spend in Linux and Solaris at work, the last thing I need to do is tinker with my desktops in my free time... hence the OS X.

[dfivetwo @ Nov 4th 2008 1:23PM]

This poll really shows who engadget's main readers are. Assuming that most people are actually using the OS that they prefer, OSX should only be getting about 10%-15% (generous) of the votes. Instead it's up at 45%.
No wonder engadget writes up a new article every time Steve Jobs scratches his ass..

[fikhl @ Nov 4th 2008 1:27PM]

I'm a PC

[adam @ Nov 4th 2008 1:36PM]

this is pretty smart of engadget. there is absolutely no reason to hav this poll now. and i dont think it's because they're out of stories.

rather, it's them gauging who their audience is. a self-reporting mechanism so that they know how to focus their articles. people give engadget crap for too many mac stories, but clearly, the mac crowd represents a large (maybe largest. we'll see) percentage of readers. likewise, they'll now know that they should invest more time into discussing windows and schtuff, and just leave most of linux behind.

i'm on to you engadget.

[Atropos @ Nov 4th 2008 1:40PM]

if commenter == phanbouy
THINK "oh my God, please shut up and go do your gym homework or something";

[Greg @ Nov 4th 2008 1:42PM]

Unfortunately, more games are on windows, and we get lousy cider ports half the time. Still, there's nothing wrong with the Mac OS for games. In fact, I'd say it's even better.

[phanbouy @ Nov 4th 2008 1:43PM]

if commenter == Atropos
PRINT: "i get all the sexy bitches because i hate on Guitar Hero"

[happy_penguin @ Nov 4th 2008 1:59PM]

I use them all but mostly it's Windows for work and OS X at home. Still, I do have a PC and it's Windows and Linux. I've been a big Mandrake/Mandriva fan for years but I recently installed Kubuntu.

[SKI @ Nov 4th 2008 2:02PM]

Used Macs back when I was 7-10 in school, hated every second of it and swore "Never again!!" Nothing has shown me a reason to break my vow. Used Windows since 6 and still use it almost daily. Have a laptop that I have Ubuntu on and am currently playing with different distros. I am really liking Linux, but Windows just can't be beat in the games department.

[Atropos @ Nov 4th 2008 2:03PM]

And Health class, too. Don't forget Health class.

[phanbouy @ Nov 4th 2008 2:08PM]

health class, Atro? still looking forward to seeing boobies for the first time?

[pball_inuyaha @ Nov 4th 2008 2:34PM]

@phanbouy

you sure as heck don't know how an if elseif statement works.

if something
elseif something else
elseif something really else
else profit

you can only have one else per if

(waits to be downranked)

[deyanimay @ Nov 4th 2008 2:36PM]

Wait i found a flaw in the poll, for mac it says os 10 but for windows it is not specific so it includes all past failure as well as stable versions. Thats why more people voted mac.

[Famous by Marital-Association @ Nov 4th 2008 2:44PM]

By serious important stuff- like enterprise applications?
I recently attend a training class with the design/creations group for my company, and when I got up and explained my name tag with a picture of the apple logo super-imposed with red "No circle" with the / through it I was thrown so many daggers and almost started bleeding on the spot.

Most design/media/publish workers seem to love OS-X, but I've never been converted from Windows simply due to the lack of support for so many programs and applications that I use. And for all the graphics horsepower of many Apple workstations and PC's, I've never been able to figure out why they can't play games. WTF is with that?

Guess I am just old school... having grown up on DOS and every iteration of windows etc. since. At least there isn't conflicts with using old software on newer machines as much from what I've heard. That was my main issue with Vista and why I won't use it- hardware and software conflicts make me so "No thanks"!

[Paul Chapel @ Nov 4th 2008 2:44PM]

I'm a PC user, but I've noticed that recently the majority of the people who complain on Engadget are Windows users. Look at eighty percent of the negative responses in this thread and I guarantee you that most of the people will be bashing Apple, which disturbs me. I've been seriously considering getting a Mac during the holidays, but if Windows users really feel this strong about freaking computers, I might have to drop several friends come Christmas.

Seriously, guys. GET A LIFE.

[pball_inuyaha @ Nov 4th 2008 2:57PM]

@Paul Chapel

If the percentages are still about the same. 90% windows pc out there and 10% mac/linux. Would you think there would be more windows people complaining? If you have 100 people divided by those percentages you could have 10% of the windows people complaining and you would need 100% of the mac/linux complaining to match people wise.

(I also hold the same notion on why windows has more viruses than other oses, there are more windows computers and more profit/fun from hacking or infecting those comptuers)

[Mike MacCana @ Nov 4th 2008 3:54PM]

@adam @ Nov 4th 2008 1:36PM

"they'll now know that they should invest more time into discussing windows and schtuff, and just leave most of linux behind."

Engadget is far less than 12% Linux stories right now. I think the poll indicates they should provide more Linux content where it's relevant. For example, ramp up their coverage of Netbook Linux distros (I mentioned in another comment I'd like to see more info about HP's MIE in particular, as well as unofficial stuff like eeeBuntu) and syncing tools for Linux.

[pball_inuyaha @ Nov 4th 2008 3:23PM]

I don't know what to say or how to feel about that last post. I wanna laugh and then i wanna sigh and hang my head down. Then laugh some more.

[E71 @ Nov 4th 2008 3:37PM]

I agree with Sheldon.

* Linux is only good for servers and certain other business related tasks. Terrible at home/casual despite what some uber nerds (and FreeBSD advocates may say). :p
* Windows is great for casual "home" use (some versions good for business like doing your coding etc)

I use and only prefer Linux for my server, Windows XP on my business workstation and Windows Vista on my personal machine (for typical casual/gaming use).

[Joachim Bengtsson @ Nov 4th 2008 3:52PM]

@pball_inuyaha

That certainly depends on the language. In C, there is no "elseif" keyword; in such a language, phanbouys use of else would be correct. However, I doubt that he was going for compilability.

[Cubfan786 @ Nov 4th 2008 4:49PM]

Anybody use EasyBCD for Dual Booting??

[happy_penguin @ Nov 4th 2008 6:00PM]

I just voted again. Linux this time from my Kubuntu PC. :)

[El Taco @ Nov 4th 2008 6:25PM]

I like Windows better, but I know OS X is a better operating system. and honestly I think Linux is only out there to provide a free option.

I like Windows better because more programs run on it, and there's so much more you can do (especially games)

OS X is better because it has barely any viruses, and is such a great interface.

I would get a macbook pro and do Windows on bootcamp, and that would be my ideal situation, but I don't have that kind of money (for 1. a mac computer or 2. a mac and windows.

[Lars @ Nov 4th 2008 6:26PM]

"you sure as heck don't know how an if elseif statement works....you can only have one else per if "

LOL, you'd be surprised at how much noobie code I've had to "debug" which turned out to be the exact same problem. I once saw one where the coder presumably didn't know that "elseif" even existed because his program consisted of thousands of lines of nested if statements with a huge long trail of endif's at the bottom. Sometimes I want to don a jumpsuit and smear some grease on my clothes and say "whelp... thers yer problem! Ya got yer elses confused with yer elseifs! Though personally I'd just go with a switch/case m'self."


As to the question at hand. I've always enjoyed trying shiny new OS's. I'd prefer it if all programs were coded using some kind of ISO code so it really wouldn't matter what OS you used. I'd have to say I definitely prefer the way Linux is designed. It's complex enough to make it do whatever I want, yet simple to use so that even a caveman can find his way around. Now if only everything I need worked in Linux... As for the other OS's:

Vista: does too much for it's own good. Shoulda used the KISS method for the core OS and had everything else non-essential be totally modular.

WinXP: did I just pay for Win98 with slight usability tweaks and a driver pack?

MacOSX: Apple has thought ahead and provided you with all the programs you could possibly need. What? You want to do something that these programs don't provide? Blasphemy! Well at least you can rely on those old MacOS9 programs... oh wait.

I feel like I'm "forced" to use Windows most of the time. That's not to say it's a terrible OS, I just don't like not having options. I can choose what clothes I wear, what food I eat, the car I drive, but not my OS. Technically, yes I can use other OS's. But programs are too often coded for one platform. It would be kind of like if Ford cars ran on a special type of gas that every gas station sold, and other cars ran on some completely different fuel which is sold hardly anywhere.

I've always had Macs around, but I never thought the cost was worth it. I enjoyed playing around with them and going "ooh, neat flashy interface." They run solid, but they always felt like an appliance to me because you can basically only do what they let you do. Even given my history with Macs, I'm not impressed with OSX. I think it's way too obtrusive and counter-intuitive for even people who've never used a computer before.

When people say to me "I don't know anything about computers, so I was thinking of getting a Mac." I tell them "Macs are kinda like toasters... they do their job terrifically, they're easy to use, you can't break anything by pushing the wrong button... but what if you don't always want toast, what if you want a burrito?" Windows is kind of like a toaster oven, it's not fast, it's not elegant, but it gets a variety of jobs done. Linux is like a robot chef, it can do whatever you want, speedy, or slow and flashy, user friendly, or user unfriendly... sky's the limit but it does require someone technically savvy to assemble it out of the box.

[yopopoy @ Nov 4th 2008 7:22PM]

@@@ nerdtalker, i cant agree more.... so i went nuts and got a mac, partitioned linux and bought vista and installed that with bootcamp for games. only problem:i can never decide which to use when turning on my computer...

wow, is this like the most legendary poll ever or is it annual and i always miss it?

iv never seen 350some comments on ANYTHING, even the iphone!

[MrNuclear @ Nov 4th 2008 8:10PM]

OSX, Linux, Vista. In that order.


@ Famous by Marital Assoc.

"I recently attend a training class with the design/creations group for my company, and when I got up and explained my name tag with a picture of the apple logo super-imposed with red "No circle" with the / through it I was thrown so many daggers and almost started bleeding on the spot."

You are the stereotypical Windows user that gives normal Windows users a bad name. Why wear a badge with a cross-out Apple logo? Why not just wear a Windows logo to show your preference? All your badge says to me is, 'I don't like Windows, I just hate Apple more.'

[Psychoish @ Nov 4th 2008 9:16PM]

Phil's inbox is probably crying right now.

[Timerider @ Nov 5th 2008 12:33AM]

@deyanimay
That makes absolutely no sense. If the Mac selection is more restricted and the Windows selection more open, then more people would be likely to choose Windows. Their not.




BTW,
I'm a Mac.

[Brayden @ Nov 5th 2008 12:48AM]

I honestly don't understand why people use OSX for multimedia. You don't get a choice on a graphics card. You get what comes with your POS Mac (unless you bought a G5 or other tower, then you have to buy the "Mac Edition"). With a Windows PC, you can get just about every program you can on OSX, except you can go buy a graphics card SPECIFICALLY for hardcore rendering tasks. Cards like NVIDIA's Quadro series.

Seriously. You "artists" out there need to get your heads out of your asses.

[Nick @ Nov 5th 2008 2:17AM]

@Russell,
if you would just use private browsing in Safari you wouldn't need to clear you cookies.

[Mike @ Nov 5th 2008 10:17AM]

@Brayden:

"I honestly don't understand why people use OSX for multimedia. You don't get a choice on a graphics card. You get what comes with your POS Mac (unless you bought a G5 or other tower, then you have to buy the "Mac Edition"). With a Windows PC, you can get just about every program you can on OSX, except you can go buy a graphics card SPECIFICALLY for hardcore rendering tasks. Cards like NVIDIA's Quadro series.

Seriously. You "artists" out there need to get your heads out of your asses."

Have you ever USED OSX for mutimedia or rendering / Encoding?
Obviously you havent bought one either, or you would know that it gives you options for GFX cards! my new MacbookPro comes with TWO NVIDA graphics cards!

I use a Dell Tower at work with xenon processing and when i burn a DVD or do any encoding, that is ALL i can do, no other program can be run without being effected dramatically with super slow performance!
now even on my old G4 iBook i can burn a dvd and run photoshop at the same time without any issues, its as if the encoding is not even affecting the processing of the machine.

dont take my word for it, you can read it here, unless its too long for you to read:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/reviews/4258725.html?page=4


Your last comment shows your ignorance.

my OPINION is the following:

1. OSX is a great operating system with an even better UI. contrary to most, its better for people that dont have extensive technical knowledge on computing platforms.. its not just for the fanatic apple fan. think about it, how many times have you had to clear adware and viruses from realatives or friends computers because they click on every free app that installs malware, now if those people were using OSX they would not have any problems. most of those people only surf the internet or check webmail anyways.

2. WINDOWS XP/Vista can be a productive operating system if you are technically inclined, you need to understand the basics of virus protection and dos and donts of surfing the web.

3. Linux is a very stable platform and im sure is the clear winner here, however, my experience with linux, granted was a long time ago, was that it was EXTREMELY difficult to learn and not as easy as windows or osx... this is an OS for the Tech Savy only.

[OneLove @ Nov 5th 2008 12:10PM]

I prefer the one that works perfectly after you pay for it.

[dav @ Nov 4th 2008 12:32PM]

OS X FTW!!!!