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Say a friend is looking for a new system, and said person is not particularly savvy with technology, what system would you point them toward?
Linux - if it's on hardware that is sold specifically as fully compatible (like a Framework laptop or something like this)
As someone who has used all three (I main my Mac for school, Linux for my gaming PC, and windows for VR gaming)
The answer is either windows or Mac.
Mac if they can afford it, windows if they just want to use it.
I'm a bit at a loss here with all these comments - can someone (for the sake of argument(s) & me giving further advice on such topics) give me some plastic examples what kind of issues bother average users of Windows, Linux, and macOS?
Like, is this like with rare(ish) cases, eg car accidents, where users don't usually experience them regularly so it's hard to argue which is best for which situation bcs every case is unique?
Bcs in the past couple of Windows iterations & "main" Linux distros (let's say last 15 years?), afaik the average user doesn't really have any questions on "how to use the system", nor encounters breaking changes overnight.
Even more to the point, an average user will need tech support regardless of OS if any kind of problem occurs (and in most cases "a restart" will fix it anyway).
To my limited Windows exposure in the very last few years I would say the most common issue I got asked about was either "why did this new thing appear now" or a stuck Windows update (either from buggy colossal space gobbling (as a bug of a current update or collected temp files that never got cleaned), or unknown reasons as per MS statements).
(I have literally 0 W11 experience, the above were Window 10 issues.)
To my limited Linux exposure in the very last few years the only actual question I got to actually research to solve was a version stuck nVidia driver (multiple repo issue which I guess distro upgrade didn't handle properly), which isn't dissimilar to issues Windows had with graphic drivers decade(s?) ago (when the previous version didn't fully unusual & it caused issues, sometimes even Windows update would bork a manual driver install, which is kinda like multiple repo issue).
(I also tech support a few family & friends with their techy needs, including PCs, but none of them are demanding users. They all "got switched" :) to Linux from Win XPs, Vista, and 7s, and since through various distros over the years, mostly Debian, are currently now like 5 years on Tumbleweed & the only question I remember in the last years, which I got multiple times, is why doesn't the daily wallpaper tell them where the pic is from bcs they remember that at one point "it did" - idk, some Gnome default thing did that iirc. I got the same question from by coworker about her Windows daily wallpaper, bcs it doesn't always display the info in lock screen.
Oh, and from my overall tech support to family most of the time is spent on passwords they have forgotten and ISPs dropping a connection for like 2 seconds once a year, bcs boomers.)
Years ago, I built my mother in law a computer. It had windows XP on it. Every weirdo and their kid who visited her would download another bit of malware/toolbars/whatever, and about once a month I would have to fix it. So I put Ubuntu on it, and it literally never had a problem again. I'd use Mint now, but if you're doing some basic games and web browsing, Linux is fine. I game with my pc, which uses Linux Mint, and the only issue I had was getting the Nvidia graphics card working. It wasn't really hard for someone who builds computers but it might be difficult for a "normal" user.
Debian Linux
I have installed it for several computer illiterate old ladies. They swear by it.
iOS.
Linux only if they can follow directions.
Apple for sure. I dislike them personally, but their OS has a great UI/UX and is very user friendly. And their stuff just works together really seamlessly.
But, if all they do is browse the Internet, Linux is also a good option as long as you're ready to set it up for them and answer questions. I switched my 75yo mom to Mint when Win10 hit EoL and she hasn't had an issue.
MacOS combines user friendliness, easy learning curve, seamless integration with other devices, and reliability.
It’s what I’d recommended to anyone who wants to use a computer without having to deal with the aggravation of dealing with a computer.
What do they want to do?
An iPad with a keyboard can serve the needs of a significant amount of users. I know people for whom it’s their only device apart from a phone.
A hardcore gamer will want Windows. Linux can play a lot better of games natively or fairly easily via Proton. macOS has some good ones natively but playing via Wine is more complicated. Some specialized industry workflows will require it. Windows-only games and applications are the only reason to recommend Windows.
Mac/macOS is great general purpose hardware and software. Good applications are available for art, science, engineering and productivity and it’s certified Unix. The ecosystem can be slick—Handoff from/to iPhone, unlock with Watch, TimeMachine backups, etc. Support people are usually native speakers from the same country. Some good native games and some through Wine are possible but Window and Linux have significantly more.
Linux can work for basic email, productivity and web browsing. Gaming choices are better than macOS but Windows is still better. They don’t have to worry about ads or the next interface fad being forced on them. They’ll likely need a bit more hand-holding and support down the road. They’ll need a Linux guy but they can be up and running on old/cheap hardware.
Can confirm. A tablet can do about 99% of what people usually expect from a computer. Gamers and professionals are an exception to this rule.
Usually people just want to check their email, browse news and watch YouTube. Any tablet these days is good enough for that kind of basic use. However, OP specifically asked about desktops, so I guess we are talking about someone who does have particular requirements after all.
This is the first sane comment that understands OS is determined by use case. All the skids pushing mint are depressing.
Ask the person questions and find out what they want to do with the machine. This is very much the kind of question teenagers ask and confidently answer like what programming language is best.
Average user needs their computer mainly as a device to run a web browser. Mac does that the most reliably. This seems objectively true to me.
If they're a nerd, then either Linux or Windows depending on what kind of nerd they are.
Windows for gaming.
Going to have to go with TOS v1.64
TOS has always sucked and will always suck. Amiga 4-ever!!!
Lol! Super-fast and boots in a few seconds. No need to faf around with a workbench disk!
Point blank generic recommendation? MacOS.
Otherwise, Linux is the endgame, so it's a matter of talking to the person to see what software is essential for them.
I wouldnt dare recommending something that most cant use, simply because they cant buy, beyond that there ethical considerarions, Apple is famous for ecosystem lockin which is extremely unethical
Ecosystem lock-in is likely not a concern for the average person, though. If they just need a computer to browse the web and edit some basic documents, everything else is just fluff.
Linux Mint
Depends on what they need it for.
Gaming, rendering, anything that needs lots of power and driver support - Windows
Music production, video editing, graphic design - MacOS
Programming, or people who want full control over their system - Linux
Don't listen to Apple fanboys. You absolutely do not need to spend $1000 to take notes and browse the internet.
I like Zorin Linux.
I would not wish Window on my worst enemies.
Mac or Linux, something like Mint, Zorin, or PopOS.
Mac for the better ingregration with more popular apps. Other than that, Linux, but test it out first since not all hardware works correctly. I had good luck with hardware on all that I have tried so far.
Nearing my 60s, very satisfied Linux Mint user. Obviously, it all depends all what expects from the computer.
Linux mint
Mint is not run by professionals. It has been pwnd more than once. It's pretty, slightly better run than manjaro and has no reason to exist when ubuntu, fedora and suse exist.
Please stop pointing to mint as a starting place. Every level user is going to get a more secure and reliable experience avoiding mint.
Ubuntu, fedora, suse and spins of those 3. I wouldn't put a normal user on anything else without extenuating circumstances.
If they are not savvy enough to do troubleshooting themselves or have no one to ask for help, I think macOS would be the best (assuming money isn’t an issue). Otherwise, Linux Mint.
MacOS if they can afford it. Otherwise Linux Mint.
What the other replies shitting on macOS seem to be overlooking is the support Apple provides.
Got stuck on something? call the support line or web chat.
Want to go to a training session? go to a local store.
All this stuff is super important for a novice who wants to learn without feeling dependent on their tech friend.
This is what keeps Apple in business - they are very easy to use. Someone with zero technical skill can point at pictograms and open and close things. You could change the language to something you can't read and use most features without an issue.
it reminds me of memes like this.
And hey, failing that, Linux Mint. It works at least.
The other thing that keeps Apple in business is tech companies not wanting to fuck around with windows or Linux laptops. Linux systems run the world and MacOS is just plain better when it comes to interacting with those systems while also serving as a good user-facing operating system.
And before anyone says WSL, I was forced to use WSL for an engagement and anyone who tells you it’s viable is a lying or a Stockholm syndrome sufferer.
