Quote from: Miniar on November 22, 2009, 08:36:46 AMIf "games" are on the list, you might need windows, in which case I suggest getting XP or 7 instead of Vista, which is the worst thing since 3.1's "keyboard not detected, press F1 to continue"...
If they aren't, then you're just as well off with Linux or a Mac, functionality wise. (Stability wise you're way better off.)
That's my advice anyways..
Well, I wouldn't suggest XP, considering that hardware support is going to be dropped soon. They already don't sell it bundled with new computers for this reason.
Windows 7 is an excellent OS, imo. It depends what you want to do.
Linux is good if you just want a computer for home and not work or school, as most workplaces either use Windows or Mac. Adobe products also run just as good on Windows as it does on a Mac and has for a very long time now. Windows also has the 64bit version of photoshop whereas it was never released for Mac, despite having the capabilities. This is because Apple is pushing their own products and Adobe is kind of slowly dropping interest in them. So for media related things, it doesn't matter if it's Mac or Windows, despite what people want to push, the benchmarks don't lie. If you like Mac OS better then take it, if you like Windows better then take it. If someone uses a computer only for media related things then it's obviously not going to run into a lot of problems as if it were to be used a regular everyday computer. I speak this as an artist and as a computer nerd.
If you choose Mac, there is a way you can get around some of the program restrictions, and that's by running bootcamp which is like running a Windows emulator. However, you are still able to run into problems that would happen on a Window's machine. You can also run a Mac OS on a custom built PC and save money(the reason why Macs cost so much is because of the outward aesthetic, not what's inside.)
Windows 7 is similar to OS X Snow Leopard, which is the current Mac OS. Windows 7 have fixed a lot of issues that Vista had, and it's debatable whether or not it's better than OS X Snow Leopard. Some say the same, some say one is better than the other. Either way, they are both great OS' and you can't go wrong with either.
Ubuntu(A unix variant) is also a great OS and it will save you money, however you might find yourself jumping through hurdles trying to get certain licensed programs. It's still great, though, especially if you like tinkering around with computers.
And Finewine is right, you'll probably be more attracted to what you're comfortable with. For me, I prefer to run Windows because I like to multitask and I really don't have the money to have more than one computer at this time. I'd still be open to a different OS to work with.
In the end, choose what you feel is right for you. You can always switch back if you don't like it.
