Linux vs. Mac vs. Windows XP?

Overall a Linux based platform can perform most of the tasks equally as well as a proprietary platform using the likes of Ubuntu and its derivative distros. However Linux does have its limitations with some applications and in particular gaming. For example I retain a dedicated Windows partition to run specific applications such as Office 2010 etc.

I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 11. Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled

Linux Mint 11 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=81

Linux Mint Installation Guide

http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2009/12/03/linux-mint-8-...

How to dual boot Windows XP and Linux (XP installed first)

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_...

Linux Mint 11 Release Notes/User Guide

http://linuxmint.com/rel_katya.php

You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 11 then you need to create a Bootable LiveDVD for installation

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto

Linux Mint 11 can also be run straight from the LiveDVD from Boot without touching your Hard Drive

LUg.

I use a Mac and I think it is great. Key things to note about the Mac:

It is a steep learning curve coming from a windows based machine.

It is a little bit more expensive than your windows machine.

The programs you list will not work natively on the mac. The Mac does allow you to install windows on it as well, so you can run the windows applications.

There is a version of microsoft office (word, excel etc...) for the Mac.

Good tip: I would recommend going into your local apple store and having a look at a 21" iMac or a 15" MacBook pro (later is a laptop, former a desktop). I don't know a lot about Linux.

I love my Mac (some would say a little too much) and I would recommend it to anyone.

Have you thought about upgrading your pc hardware tona faster machine and boosting the operating system to windows 7? Might be a little more cost effective.

Hope this helps!

First, are you talking about buying a new computer, or changing the OS on your existing computer? If the latter, Mac OS is out. It runs only on Apple hardware. This leaves Windows or Linux. To really help you, we'll need to know your system specs - what CPU and graphics card do you have, and how much RAM? Because in general, adding RAM and upgrading the video card can give you a huge boost in speed. But knowing the specs will determine which version of Windows or Linux will work best with the hardware.

As others have said, there are equivalents for Linux, depending upon exactly what you do. There's MySQL and PostGres, for example. And there are dozens of IDEs and compilers, but not for Microsoft specific languages. You can do some work with Mono, but you may have issues if you're a VB programmer. But if you work in Java or C or C++ there are a lot of tools.

There are many versions of Linux. I use Linux on my old computers that have 256 MB RAM and they run really fast. For something really lightweight try Slackware or Puppy Dog linux. Mac OS will probably not run on your hardware too.

Heres a HUGE list of linux versions you can choose from for our Ram requrements.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=575456

Neither MS SQL nor MS Studio will work (natively) under linux or MacOS, and MacOS will likely not work on your current hardware.

Win7 is better at managing RAM than WinXP so you may consider this, or a hardware upgrade.

Edit: Avast is Windows-only too.

free options that may improve your system so you can

carry on using xp

go to display options and find the colour depth

change this from 32 bit to 16 bit

find advanced system properties and select ,,settings

1.Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2.Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.

3.On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.

un tick all but the bottom 6 and click ok

doing above should make your system more efficient

also find and download a program called ccleaner this will help remove rubbish off your system

linux sql

http://linas.org/linux/db.html

http://www.linas.org/linux/db-api.html

visual studio

http://monodevelop.com/

and linux does not need an antivirus,

all your drivers are 'built' into the kernel or available through the respective software manager,

hardware will be auto detected and the right driver modules selected

With the list of applications what you are using, you have to stick with Windows XP.

stick to windows, it's compitable with more stuff then mac and linux together :D

if you overclock your cpu it gets faster. easy overclocking: BIOS > AI TWEAKER > CPU overclocking > overclocking profile > overclock options (then you can set your options) *computer guaranteed to go faster*

you could also backup PC and download pirate windows (cops won't be happy but you get better windows and save lots of money)

You should keep your Windows XP installation.