Windows Vista vs. Mac OS X vs. Ubuntu Linux

In the last few months, I’ve had the chance to work with the latest versions of all three of the major operating systems; Windows Vista (SP1), Mac OS X (Leopard), and Ubuntu Linux (Hardy Heron).

To me, Windows Vista (yes, Vista), is still far and away the winner.

Now, it’s not because I’ve never used anything else. I’ve been around since before the MS-DOS days, and have dipped my toes in the waters of other operating systems, such as GEOS, the classic Mac OS, OS/2 Warp and Amiga Workbench up to AmigaOS 3 even.

I definitely don’t consider myself a Microsoft fan boy (no XHTML/CSS programmer is, that’s for sure) — but I don’t hate them just because it’s fashionable to bash them, either. I’m getting kind of tired of folks in the media claiming that Vista is a disaster not because they have used it, but because that’s what they hear the “cool kids” are saying.

Linux: To me, there is only one appeal here, summed up entirely in the word “Free.” Everyone acknowledges that Linux is not at all user friendly, and the Ubuntu release is the most popular precisely because it brands itself as being “Linux for human beings.” Frankly, using Linux is like going back to the Windows 3.1 days, where a clunky GUI has been pasted over top of a DOS command line. The GNOME interface simply mimics Windows XP, and doesn’t offer any particular innovations. You definitely need to be a dedicated computer geek to find your way around, and even then you can expect to spend hours pouring through user forums for solutions to problems (often only to find out the solution you discovered only works with a different flavour of Linux). Most of your hardware isn’t going to be 100% supported, and the only really mainstream application ported to Linux is the Firefox browser; everything else is free software that you’ve never heard of. When you use it, you get a definite “pioneering” feel; it’s like the Wild West. I’m sure that appeals to some people — and at one time it would have appealed to me — but now, I just don’t have time for all that messing around. If all you really need is Firefox and Open Office, you might be able to survive on Linux without too much frustration… maybe.

Mac OS X: The Mac OS has always had an attractive simplicity. Program files are kept neat and tidy and installing software is pretty effortless. If the Mac OS and Windows each had an equal market share, I would easily recommend the Mac to new or novice computer users over Windows. But unfortunately, therein lies the problem: Mac does not have the same installed base — far less than 1 out of 10 computers is a Mac. What that means is less developers and less support. Less software choices means you are overly reliant on Mac itself to provide the applications. (Luckily, their applications are simple, flashy, and people like them.) However, the simplicity sometimes feels “optionless,” as if Steve Jobs is personally dictating what I am allowed and not allowed to do. For me, since the Adobe Creative Suite software is identical now between Mac and PC, I can be equally productive on either OS. The trouble is, I do not like Mac’s vaunted “Aqua” GUI. Apple’s stubborn one-button-mouse philosophy has always impaired it’s OS’ progress, and a lot of the interface design seems intended just to be different from Windows, often impairing usability. I really dislike the way the standard controls are not attached to the application window, but rather all use the same menu bar, so that you find yourself thinking you are looking at one program’s controls without realizing the focus is on a different program’s window. The dull flat brushed metal window frames contrast so glaringly with the glowing candy gel buttons and controls as to be distracting. I guess people thought that was cool back in 2000, but to me it’s always looked kind of ridiculous.

Windows Vista: This is the biggest change for the Windows operating system in years. “They” say that Vista is buggy, slow, and to be avoided at all costs. Personally, I have no idea what “they” are talking about… my experience with Vista has been fantastic. A lot of things are different — the new setup definitely takes some getting used to — and I suspect that a lot of people who gripe about Vista do so because they are the kind of people who are resistant to change. But after having some time with it, I find I am able to get around faster and more intuitively than any previous operating system. The “Aero” GUI is gorgeous; people say that it copies the Mac, but truthfully it leaves the decade-old Mac Aqua look far in the dust. Truthfully, I thought the transparency and shadow window effects were just going to be distracting eye candy; but in practice, I love how it helps define the window hierarchy on your desktop as you work. Gradients and shading in the Aero GUI help define buttons without being distracting, and the popular gel button look is not overused. Windows Media Center interfaces beautifully with my Xbox 360 to bring all of our media to the television with absolute ease. The Vista versions of the Office applications have undergone perhaps the most radical upgrades of all; Microsoft Word and Outlook are far more usable now. (Try opening Word 2007 and slowly moving your mouse along the controls at the top of the screen… watch how the interface subtly highlights things… awesome.)

Personally, I recommend Vista highly to anyone who is buying a new machine. Don’t let anyone tell you “you should downgrade it to XP.” I understand that some people have had trouble upgrading old machines to Vista; but that’s true any time you install any new operating system on an older machine (though I had no trouble upgrading my HP purchased in fall 2006). If you’re getting a new machine, where Vista is pre-installed and all the hardware is fully supported, you’re going to be very pleased. Just give a few solid working days to get used to the changes, and keep your mind open.