October 2007
Operating Systems
Choosing among Windows Vista, Linux and Macintosh OS X
Windows is no longer your only option when choosing an operating system for the PC platform. A much more affordable Linux
distribution is one choice. And the lower-priced Mac line provides an incentive for those interested in switching. If you
suffer buyer's remorse, you can always run Windows Vista on your new Mac.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Windows Vista offers an array of improvements over XP aside from visual enhancements, new multitasking features and simpler home-network setup. On the safety side, there's beefed-up browser and e-mail security, increased control over software installation, a two-way firewall, hard-drive encryption, and a technology that blocks malicious software. Windows Media Center, which offers more user-friendly multimedia tasks, is built into Vista Premium and Vista Ultimate, though it's littered with subscription-based content partnerships. The search function can now include other storage devices or even the Internet. A feature called SideBar displays information such as weather reports and stock quotes. Plus, Windows Backup is automated and now lets you create a full drive image for disaster recovery. Microsoft offers three versions of Vista: the stripped-down Home Basic ($200; $100 for the upgrade version), Home Premium ($240; $160 upgrade), which adds the snazzy Aero interface (you'll need a compatible graphics processor), Media Center, DVD Maker, Movie Maker HD, Backup scheduler, SideShow (allows the use of auxiliary displays), Sync Center (synchronizes files with other PCs on your network), and parental controls, and Ultimate ($400, $260 upgrade), which adds support for dual CPUs, Remote Desktop host (formerly in Windows XP Professional), file encryption (with full-drive BitLocker capability), faxing, domain-based networking (for office networks) and Web hosting.
Apple computers come with Mac OS X, an operating system based on Unix. Mac OS is considered by many to be easier to learn and use than Windows, and it's more secure against online threats because it's less of a target for malware writers. New features in Mac OS X's Leopard (10.5) upgrade ($150) include an automatic backup tool and a reorganized desktop. A souped-up e-mail application lets you create automatic greeting cards and invitations and turn e-mails into to-do list tasks or calendar items. The new Dashboard lets you create your own on-screen widgets, or mini-applications. And the new Safari browser lets you make a widget out of a live Web site. The Spotlight tool can now search servers and networks. You can preview files without launching their applications and search for files by attributes. You can even run Windows Vista. With a feature called Boot Camp, you can set up a dual boot on your Mac that lets you run any version of Windows on one partition and Leopard on the other.
Linux, a free operating system with source code anyone can modify, is most appropriate for users who aren't intimidated by technology. One of the most popular versions is Ubuntu. The default package includes an office-productivity suite, a photo editor, disc burning and copying software, a chat program, and a browser. You can download additional software online. The only things you won't find are sophisticated 3D games. But many of those apps might not be fully compatible with equivalent Windows and Mac software, and that could cause problems if you transition from home to work or school. Another problem is that Ubuntu supports only open-source music and video formats out of the box. You'll need additional software to access other file formats such as MP3 or iTunes. What's more, many hardware vendors don't supply Linux drivers, so you might have problems using your peripherals. Drivers that are available aren't always reliable, and they might not be up to date or provide full support. Tech support costs $65 to $275 per year, potentially offsetting the savings of a free OS, and not all shops provide Linux service. On the plus side, Linux is less vulnerable to viruses and spyware than Windows, and a free firewall program is available.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Upgrading your existing Windows PC to Vista might involve software, driver and even hardware upgrades. (Microsoft provides an online tool to help determine whether your computer can support Vista.) Of the three versions, we recommend Home Premium for its visual enhancement potential and its inclusion of Media Center. If you just want Media Center, there's a version of XP that includes it. And if you want some of Vista's enhancements without the upgrade hassles, you can "pimp up" your XP with Internet Explorer 7, Media Player 11, and Windows Defender. If Vista does nothing for you, you can still buy a new PC with XP. Microsoft is allowing vendors to offer the older OS with new PCs if they so choose. Dell is one vendor currently offering selected models with the older OS.
Apple's new OS X Leopard offers a lot of enhancements and we do prefer Apple's hardware for its superior tech support and reliability. If you just have to have Vista, Apple's Boot Camp lets you have both.
As for Linux, you'll need more than just a casual knowledge of operating systems, because the interface is not entirely graphical. Plus, application compatibilities might present problems for many users. If all you do is Web browsing and e-mail you can probably get by, but if you use a wide variety of applications, you're better off passing on Linux.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Windows Vista offers an array of improvements over XP aside from visual enhancements, new multitasking features and simpler home-network setup. On the safety side, there's beefed-up browser and e-mail security, increased control over software installation, a two-way firewall, hard-drive encryption, and a technology that blocks malicious software. Windows Media Center, which offers more user-friendly multimedia tasks, is built into Vista Premium and Vista Ultimate, though it's littered with subscription-based content partnerships. The search function can now include other storage devices or even the Internet. A feature called SideBar displays information such as weather reports and stock quotes. Plus, Windows Backup is automated and now lets you create a full drive image for disaster recovery. Microsoft offers three versions of Vista: the stripped-down Home Basic ($200; $100 for the upgrade version), Home Premium ($240; $160 upgrade), which adds the snazzy Aero interface (you'll need a compatible graphics processor), Media Center, DVD Maker, Movie Maker HD, Backup scheduler, SideShow (allows the use of auxiliary displays), Sync Center (synchronizes files with other PCs on your network), and parental controls, and Ultimate ($400, $260 upgrade), which adds support for dual CPUs, Remote Desktop host (formerly in Windows XP Professional), file encryption (with full-drive BitLocker capability), faxing, domain-based networking (for office networks) and Web hosting.
Apple computers come with Mac OS X, an operating system based on Unix. Mac OS is considered by many to be easier to learn and use than Windows, and it's more secure against online threats because it's less of a target for malware writers. New features in Mac OS X's Leopard (10.5) upgrade ($150) include an automatic backup tool and a reorganized desktop. A souped-up e-mail application lets you create automatic greeting cards and invitations and turn e-mails into to-do list tasks or calendar items. The new Dashboard lets you create your own on-screen widgets, or mini-applications. And the new Safari browser lets you make a widget out of a live Web site. The Spotlight tool can now search servers and networks. You can preview files without launching their applications and search for files by attributes. You can even run Windows Vista. With a feature called Boot Camp, you can set up a dual boot on your Mac that lets you run any version of Windows on one partition and Leopard on the other.
Linux, a free operating system with source code anyone can modify, is most appropriate for users who aren't intimidated by technology. One of the most popular versions is Ubuntu. The default package includes an office-productivity suite, a photo editor, disc burning and copying software, a chat program, and a browser. You can download additional software online. The only things you won't find are sophisticated 3D games. But many of those apps might not be fully compatible with equivalent Windows and Mac software, and that could cause problems if you transition from home to work or school. Another problem is that Ubuntu supports only open-source music and video formats out of the box. You'll need additional software to access other file formats such as MP3 or iTunes. What's more, many hardware vendors don't supply Linux drivers, so you might have problems using your peripherals. Drivers that are available aren't always reliable, and they might not be up to date or provide full support. Tech support costs $65 to $275 per year, potentially offsetting the savings of a free OS, and not all shops provide Linux service. On the plus side, Linux is less vulnerable to viruses and spyware than Windows, and a free firewall program is available.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Upgrading your existing Windows PC to Vista might involve software, driver and even hardware upgrades. (Microsoft provides an online tool to help determine whether your computer can support Vista.) Of the three versions, we recommend Home Premium for its visual enhancement potential and its inclusion of Media Center. If you just want Media Center, there's a version of XP that includes it. And if you want some of Vista's enhancements without the upgrade hassles, you can "pimp up" your XP with Internet Explorer 7, Media Player 11, and Windows Defender. If Vista does nothing for you, you can still buy a new PC with XP. Microsoft is allowing vendors to offer the older OS with new PCs if they so choose. Dell is one vendor currently offering selected models with the older OS.
Apple's new OS X Leopard offers a lot of enhancements and we do prefer Apple's hardware for its superior tech support and reliability. If you just have to have Vista, Apple's Boot Camp lets you have both.
As for Linux, you'll need more than just a casual knowledge of operating systems, because the interface is not entirely graphical. Plus, application compatibilities might present problems for many users. If all you do is Web browsing and e-mail you can probably get by, but if you use a wide variety of applications, you're better off passing on Linux.
