Russian operating system. Operating systems: list, features, versions, reviews

So what exactly is an operating system on a computer? The OS is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages memory, processes, and all software and hardware. We can say that the OS is the bridge between the computer and the person. Because without an operating system, a computer is useless.

Apple Mac OS X

Mac OS is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes preinstalled on all new Macintosh or Mac computers. The latest versions of this operating system are known as OS X... Namely Yosetime (released in 2014), Mavericks (2013), Mountine Lion (2012), Lion (2011), and Show leopard (2009). There is also Mac OS X Serverwhich is designed to run on servers.

According to the general statistics of StatCounter Global Stats, the percentage of Mac OS X users is 9.5% of the operating system market, as of September 2014. This is much lower than the percentage of Windows users (almost 90% ). One of the reasons for this is that Apple computers are very expensive.

Linux

Linux is a family of open source operating systems. This means that they can be modified (changed) and spread by any person around the world. This is very different from others like Windows, which can only be modified and redistributed by the owner (Microsoft). The advantages of Linux are that it is free and there are many different versions to choose from. Each version has its own look, and the most popular of them are Ubuntu, Mint and Fedora.

Linux is named after Linus Torvalds, who laid the foundation for Linux in 1991.

According to the general statistics of StatCounter Global Stats, the percentage of Linux users is less than 2% of the operating system market, as of September 2014. However, due to the flexibility and ease of configuration, most servers run on Linux.

Operating systems for mobile devices

All the operating systems that we talked about above are designed for desktop and laptop computers such as a laptop. There are operating systems that are designed specifically for mobile devices such as phones, and MP3 players, for example, Apple, iOS, Windows Phoneand Google Android. In the picture below, you can see Apple iOS running on the iPad.

Of course, they are inferior in functionality to computer operating systems, but they are still capable of performing many basic tasks. For example, watching movies, browsing the web on the Internet, launching applications, games, etc.

That's all. Leave in the comments what operating system you use and why you like it

In this article, you will learn:

About what alternative systems for computers are.

That the operating systemWindows not the only one who can organize your PC or laptop.

In the variety of devices that surround us today, you often begin to get confused about what the operating system is. Rather, in the very concept of an operating system, what kind of OS are there, and what is an alternative to Windows? Indeed, we are accustomed to the fact that our computers are equipped with a product from Microsoft. This is not a bad thing, Windows is familiar to many, and as a rule, it is not difficult to implement workflows. In turn, many have heard that there is Linux, that it is an alternative, and the most curious users work in it, install it on their PCs and laptops. There are many alternatives for your devices today. Operating systems are developed by both large corporations and small groups of like-minded people. Today we are talking about operating systems different from Windows, we understand what is on the market, and in no case, we do not call for reinstalling the OSWindows ... Article, solely for the purpose of broadening one's horizons, welcome under the cut friends.

You know, in order to install most of those systems described below, I used virtual machines. I repeat once again - this is not a call for everyone to reinstall, this is an opportunity to find out what operating systems are and why they are created.

Linux, FreeBSD and others

The beginning must be laid with those products that are talked about at every step. The list could not be complete, because the most important thing must be brought to the fore. Linux operating systems are the most important of the alternatives as they are great for PCs. Linux today is known in many of its incarnations, because everyone has heard about Ubuntu, CentOS, Linux Mint, etc. I'm sure most of these products are fairly familiar to you. After all, if it ever occurred to you to install an operating system other than Windows, you may have considered one of the distributions above.

Linux is a Unix-like open source operating system. At the same time, Linux is not alone, because there is such a system as FreeBSD. FreeBSD uses a different kernel, but is very similar in terms of standard software. If you install a FreeBSD system on your computer, you will hardly notice the difference.

Chrome OS

Google's Chrome OS is based on the Linux kernel, but the desktop and entire user environment has been completely redesigned for specific Google tools.

There is a lot of controversy about Chrome OS, because in most cases this system is not ideal. Its capabilities are limited as soon as the Internet connection is lost. Apparently, Google developed the system as a product pre-installed on specialized devices, Chromebooks, which are significantly cheaper than all the laptops presented today. As you can imagine, cheap devices always have some limitations in functionality, while if you consider the system with the presence of the Internet, it will look more than worthy - however, like the Chromebook itself.

Steam OS

Valve's Steam OS is currently available for beta testing. Anyone can go to the site, agree to the terms of the version, and download. Technically, Steam OS continues the Linux tradition by including most of the standard software. However, Steam OS is the first (serious) operating system built for gaming. Rather, for new, powerful PCs that will come with pre-installed Steam OS in the future.

It is quite obvious that the developers, Valve, made the system for games. After all, Steam is the largest game store today.

Around 2015, it is planned to be put on the Steam OS stream. Valve's operating system will ship with a PC from the same manufacturer. How easy it will be to install the system on a regular computer (not from Valve) is not yet known. I just want to say one thing, in order to take screenshots for this article, I had to sweat a lot before seeing the Valve logo in the download.

Android

Do you think I was wrong about something, because Android is an operating system for mobile devices? In fact this is not true. First of all, Android is Linux, or rather the kernel of this system from Linux, this is where the similarities end, and the system is largely different from the usual operating systems.

Initially, Android was developed for mobile devices - tablets, smartphones. However, the situation has changed recently. The system is now available on desktops, and you can easily install it with Windows. There are many ways to run Android on your workstations. Intel is known to develop its own system port to function well with PC hardware.

Yes, for the PC - the Android system today is far from ideal. You won't be able to use reusable apps to organize your workflows. However, if you are very interested, you can always install the system on your PC and see its functionality.

Mac OS X

Yes, Mac OS X is exclusive to company devicesApple ... The system meets all the requirements for a modern operating system today. There was a time when Mac OS was installed exclusively on company devices. Today is a different time, and you can easily install the system from Apple on any computer (preferably a laptop).

The difficulty in porting the system to other devices was the company's licensing agreement, which simply did not allow Apple software to be installed on excellent devices. In turn, Mac OS X will work perfectly if you can get around Apple's restrictions.

So how do you get Mac OS X installed on your computer? Look for the community, or better read the article on our portal, about hackintosh, and all the necessary parameters in order to be able to run Apple systems on your computer.

Haiku

Actually the block about the more famous operating systems is over, it's time to move on to something unusual and less familiar. Alternative operating systems, this is quite interesting, but it is even more interesting to know about those products that are not so common, but also worthy of attention.

BeOS was a very lightweight operating system for computers with low hardware components. In 1998, the system was ported to the Intel x86 platform, but could not compete with Microsoft Windows.

Further, serious passions flared up between the companies, with lawsuits and accusations of pressure on Hitachi and Compaq from Microsoft. To prevent companies from releasing equipment that meets BeOS requirements. Then Microsoft settled the differences, out of court paying $ 23.5 million to Be Inc. As a result, Be Inc. was acquired by Palm Inc.

Haiku is a free operating system based on BeOS (some redefinition of this system). Haiku is available on the internet today, not updated very often (last release in 2012), but overall the system is very well suited for weak computers (even today).

eComStation

There was a time when IBM worked with Microsoft to develop an operating system. Yes, that was a long time ago. Then this system was called OS / 2. Even after Microsoft stopped working with IBM, IBM continued to develop its project, at some stage OS / 2 competed with MS-DOS and the original versions of Windows. However, not so successfully, and as a result, Microsoft was able to best capture the market. At the same time, there are old ATMs and personal computers (cash registers) that still use this system in a slightly revised form. After all, IBM eventually sold OS / 2, it underwent some changes and received a completely different name.

Today, the OS is developed by Serenity Systems, and it is called eComStation. In our list, this is the second commercial system after Apple, which is provided under certain conditions (Mac OS X is also provided exclusively on Apple devices, which means it is paid to some extent).

At the same time, it is always possible to install a trial demo version from the developer's website in order to evaluate all the features of this product. I repeat, today eComStation is used exclusively for weak machines, mainly in the business segment for organizing trade equipment.

ReactOS

Have you ever heard of ReactOS? No? Strange, because this is one of the reworked versions of Windows NT, completely free. The system was designed as a public version of Windows that interacts with all Windows applications as well as device drivers.

ReactOS is associated with the Wine project, which allows it to significantly expand its capabilities, because thanks to this code you can run Windows applications on Linux or Mac OS X. Again, this is not Linux - ReactOS is an attempt to make Windows NT a publicly available operating system. As you probably know, all modern operating systems of the companyMicrosoft (since Windows XP) are based on Windows NT.

ReactOS is considered alpha version today. The goal of the project is to become compatible with Windows Server 2003. Quite a long and difficult path of development, which in itself is not bad - because the project has room to grow.

Syllable

Syllable is a free operating system. Today, the article contains a lot of operating systems and their derivatives, you may not have heard about most of these systems. This is not surprising, since only good designs achieve degrees of prominence in view of the large number of competitors. There was also the AtheOS system, of which Syllable is a derivative. The system was originally supposed to be a copy of AmigaOS, but something went wrong. Syllable is a lightweight operating system using many components from GNU and Linux. To tell the truth, when I installed the system to my virtual machine, I could not imagine such performance. A really fast and convenient operating system for weak computers, though I can’t vouch for how it works in practice (after 2-3 months of work) (I haven’t tested it).

SkyOS

Most of the operating systems on our list are freeware products that you can easily download, install and use. In turn, SkyOS is the property of the company that develops the system (develops very slowly). Initially, the system was sold, then beta versions appeared, which also do not work without a key, but the key is very close (on the same page where the distribution was downloaded from).

The development of SkyOS ended in 2009, but the last beta version was released in 2013, which means the project is more alive than dead.

Many of you may have heard that besides Windows there are other operating systems for the computer.

In this article, we will give a brief overview of the most famous representatives of operating systems, and you may want to change your life by trying another OS.

Windows

Windows XP

This operating system appeared quite a long time ago, 3 Service Packs have already been released on it, and there are a lot of pirated assemblies. There are so many of them that you will hardly find one that looks like XP released by Microsoft. One of the most famous such assemblies - ZverCD - So well known that it is sold in stores, its main advantage is its ease of installation and the fact that it contains many programs that will be useful to you, including the K-Lite Codec Pack (a collection of codecs for viewing audio and Also noteworthy in it is that the drivers are installed by themselves during installation. I digress a little from the main topic. So, the pros and cons of Windows XP.

Pros:

• The first and most important plus of Windows XP is that you are used to it. You know how to use it, you almost never have any problems with it, and if there is, hackers, a weak computer, slow Internet are to blame - in general, everything except. Also, you are very accustomed to its interface, which will most likely be uncomfortable with others.
• The second, important plus - they release most programs and games. Of course they can be run on other operating systems, but it will be more difficult than on.

Minuses:

• Windows xp requires more resources than other operating systems and does not have as many customizations as other systems.
• Programs for it are mostly paid, that is, you have to either pay or live, knowing that you are using illegal software (of course, for many programs there are free alternatives that do not always differ greatly in functionality. They do not use them mainly because they do not know about them or because of the same habit).

Windows 7

Now let's stop thinking about the past and see what we have now. Windows 7 has solved many problems that arose in Windows XP, introduced many conveniences that constantly delight you, and along with this, new problems appeared.

Pros:

• There is an improved visualization (ease of use, desktop widgets).
• Now, when you insert a device, Windows 7 will immediately install a driver for it from the Internet for you.

Minuses:

• Despite the changes, windows is windows. Therefore, the disadvantages are the same as for XP.

Linux

* nix is \u200b\u200ba similar operating system created by student Linus Torvald. Significantly different from Windows, used mainly by programmers or for servers. But there are not only distributions for servers and programmers, but also for ordinary users, so why do most people use Windows, and not a licensed one? Elementary, because, I'm not afraid to repeat myself, people are used to Windows, and some have no time to retrain. We really would have to retrain if we lived, for example, in 2005. Now we have released a sufficient number of distributions to choose the right one. There is even one that has the same interface as Windows. But we will focus on the most common and most suitable distribution kit for ordinary users - Ubuntu.

Ubuntu 10.04

I decided to take the latest LTS (Long Term Support) version, because it is significantly different from the previous ones - this is Ubuntu 10.04 lucid lynx. It solves the main Linux problem - Internet connection. Unlike previous versions, this one does not need to be configured, you just install the Wicd program, click the "connect" button and you have Internet access. Internet access is very important on Ubuntu, updates are released almost weekly, just with each installation of an English-language program, you can check if there is a Russian language for it by going to the language settings and installing all updates there. Also, compared to previous versions, the number of problems has decreased. Ubuntu comes out semi-annually, which is also important, now let's move on to the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Ubuntu starts many times faster than Windows. You can also change the user quickly enough.
• There is no need to manually install drivers, it is possible to connect different sources to update the system and applications.
• There will be almost no problems with downloading and installing applications, you do not need to go into the browser to find and download the program, just go to one of the application management managers, find the desired application there and install it.
• Lots of settings. You can customize the system completely for yourself. The interface is customizable to the smallest detail. Also, there are many sites on which all the configuration processes are described. One of them is Ubuntology. Everything is described on it starting from the installation.
• Some programs have been ported from Windows to Ubuntu. That is, you can safely use your favorite Opera / Mozilla Firefox / Google Chrome browser on Ubuntu, talk through your usual Skype and Mail.ru Agent.
• No viruses. This means that you do not need to install an antivirus. There are dangerous terminal commands that you can accidentally run from the Internet, but it all depends on your attentiveness. Also, Ubuntu has a built-in Firewall.
• Codecs for audio and video Ubuntu offers to download as needed. This is why an Internet connection is so important.

Minuses:

• Setting up Ubuntu may seem daunting and time-consuming to you, because it is often the case. You can do without it, but to really enjoy Ubuntu, you'll have to go through a setup process.
• In fact, there are few ported programs. In order for you to use the same programs as on Windows, you will have to install one of the programs designed for this (for example, Wine), configure libraries, fonts, install the Directx driver, if necessary. Or install Windows on a virtual machine. In general, again the setting.
• Not all programs can be installed from the Application Center. Some will have to be downloaded from the Internet manually, and some of them are not in deb format (Debian installation package, installation is similar to exe installation), but in tar.bz2 format, that is, in archives. You will have to unpack and install them manually.
• Game lovers may have problems. Of course, there are many games released on Ubuntu, but in order for you to access your Steam, for example, you will have to either install Windows on a virtual machine or configure Wine.

Also, after this version, Ubntu 10.10 and 11.04 were released, but nothing new, except for an alternative graphical shell Unity, which could be added to the pros or cons did not appear.

Mac OS

An operating system created by Apple Corporation. We will not analyze it in detail, we will describe it in general terms, without affecting individual distributions, since not everyone can afford it, only if it is a pirated copy, which is not so easy to install. The operating system itself is not sold separately, it is sold only with Apple laptops and desktops. One such laptop will cost you about 50,000 rubles, it is clear that there is an overpayment for the brand, but despite the price they are being bought, it means that there is something remarkable in it.

Their list has grown greatly even over the past 5 years, especially due to the growth in the number of mobile devices. What are their features, how do they differ, what are their advantages and disadvantages?

System classification

They differ from each other in different parameters, in particular, in the distribution of functions between computers. Operating system classes and networks themselves are:

• peer-to-peer;
• double-ranked (have dedicated servers).

There are computers that provide their resources to others. In this case, they act as a network server. The other is their client. Computers can perform one or the second function, or they can be combined together. must at the same time meet the buyer's requests.

List of the most demanded systems

What are the most popular operating systems among users? The list looks like this:

• Windows.
• MacOS.
• Android.
• Ubuntu.
• Linux and others.

There are also less popular ones. For example Fedora or Back Track. But they are common in a rather narrow circle of specialists.

How to choose?

There are different criteria for users. This is primarily the usability and capabilities of operating systems. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Functionality is important to one, interface to second, personal data safety guarantee to third. Operating systems for PCs, the list of which is longer than those developed for mobile devices, differ from the latter in their requirements for the machine.

They offer their users a different level of comfort and innovative solutions, in many respects the choice is due to the person's profession.

Windows features

New operating systems have emerged in recent years. The list of the most popular ones was supplemented by Android and IOS. However, it is the Windows OS that remains the most demanded in the world, as before.

It is not only the most popular operating system, but also the most comfortable to use, great for beginners. Schoolchildren, office workers and people of all ages - almost all of them use Windows operating systems. Linux is traditionally used by specialized professionals.

pros

The key advantages of the popularly beloved Windows are the following factors:

• user-friendly interface;
• a large number of high-quality software that can be installed free of charge;
• ease of installation and configuration;
• ease of administration of server rooms.

Cons of Windows

Most versions of Windows are paid operating systems. The list can be found in open sources. The high cost of software is a key flaw in Windows.

Another disadvantage is the instability and vulnerability of the entire OS family to various kinds of malware.

Latest version

How much does Windows 10 cost? It all depends on whether the version will be home or professional. In the first case, the cost will be about 6 thousand rubles, and in the second - about 10 thousand.

The last modification, like the previous one, can have a classic interface or the same as that of the "eight", when you can switch icons on the desktop.

Answering the logical answer to the question of how much Windows 10 costs, with the fact that the cost is not small, we must warn you: do not rush to worry. After all, the license that is provided to the user does not have a final validity period. But software such as online games, antivirus or Office requires regular updates on a paid basis.

Traditionally, if you have a previous licensed version of Windows installed on your computer, you can update it to the latest version for free.

Previous Windows OS

Despite the release of new software, there are those who are comfortable using the previous ones. Different versions of operating systems have their own advantages. Now, along with the "ten", many continue to use the "eights" and "sevens".

Windows 7 came out back in 2009. It included both developments from the previous "Vista", and completely new solutions that relate to the interface and embedded programs. Some software was excluded - games, applications, a number of technologies, and more.

"Seven" has several editions:

• initial;
• home basic;
• home extended;
• corporate;
• professional;
• maximum.

The next version of the operating system, Windows 8, was released in 2012. Its main innovation was the redesigned interface, which was more adapted to work on mobile devices. To date, this product of the company is the most sold.

Outdated versions

There are once popular, but now almost forgotten operating systems. You can start the list of them with Windows 95, it was with this version that many started working with a PC at one time. After it came the no less popular Windows 98. The next system - Windows 2000 - came out at the turn of the millennium and was intended for use on devices with 32-bit processors.

However, the real popularity was found by the Windows XP OS, which appeared in 2001. She only recently lost her primacy to the seventh and eighth versions. For more than 10 years, it was XP that users preferred to install on their computers and laptops.

The subsequent user version was Vista, but its functionality and features, according to experts, were extremely weak, which is why it did not gain popularity.

Other operating systems for computers

However, not everyone uses Windows. There are other PC operating systems as well. Their list includes, in particular, macOS, Linux Ubuntu and other modifications. They are mainly used by narrow-profile specialists.

Ubuntu was designed with a Mac interface in many ways, but the overall style is similar to Windows. Users appreciated the usability, stability and the fact that the OS can be obtained for free. They also like the speed of the machine. But Ubuntu also has its drawbacks - a small amount of software, games, and a complex administration scheme.

MacOS is an operating system developed by Apple for its own computers. It is called a premium user product - it has a beautiful design, user-friendly interface and excellent multimedia capabilities. But this solution is not affordable for everyone, because both the computers themselves and the Apple-branded OS, in comparison with others, are incredibly expensive.

Also for PCs, some use Linux. This system is free, stable, and has a lot of built-in software. However, despite all these advantages, it requires high user skills. Therefore, Linux is most often installed by programmers, networkers and other specialists.

Work on mobile devices

As you know, more and more users prefer to use the Internet not from laptops and PCs, but from mobile devices - smartphones and tablets. There are operating systems that are designed specifically for them. The most common are Android and IOS. But "Symbian" has already lost its former popularity, since its capabilities can no longer cover the needs of users.

In the first place in terms of quantity, by a large margin is "Android". After all, if IOS is an OS created specifically for Apple devices, then the second can work on smartphones and tablets of other brands, for example:

• Samsung.
• Sony.
• Lenovo and others.

"Android" has a user-friendly interface for its users, allows them to use high-quality software in large quantities for free. It is suitable not only for smartphones and tablets, but also for modern “smart TVs”. Devices based on this OS can be independently reflashed and changed to work.

About 10 years ago and earlier, those who used the Internet on mobile phones actively used the Symbian system, which was a joint development of the leading manufacturers at that time (Nokia, Motorola and others). It works even now, but compared to IOS and Android, it is not able to cope with the tasks that the current owners of mobile devices set themselves.

Other operating systems

In addition to common operating systems for computers and mobile devices, there are also lesser known ones, many of which are based on Linux and require a high level of user skills. Fedora is one such system. It is highly stable, practically does not fall in terms of work. You can forget about freezes, sudden overloads and other problems forever.

There are also specific operating systems. For example, Back Track. This system is free and used by hackers all over the world. Most of the hacks were carried out thanks to Back Track. It was originally optimized to obtain unauthorized access to download data from a particular computer.

People far from the computer sphere know little about the features of operating systems and their real number. On laptops or computers, they install Windows, iPhones are equipped with their own software, and on other smartphones or tablets, Android is installed by default.

But there are other systems, they are generally not intended for a wide range of reasons due to their characteristics. The choice of this or that OS depends primarily on the tasks that a person sets for himself.

We present to your attention a selection of the 10 best operating systems that are perfect for both everyday work and for finding new opportunities for your PC.

Despite the widespread use of different versions of Windows, every year more and more users start looking for new interesting OS.

Installing a new system on a computer allows you to work with programs that do not run on Windows. Some users choose to use other operating systems to keep their data safe. Also, simple and lightweight OS options significantly speed up old laptops and help get rid of the problem of constant overheating and brakes.

10th place - Windows 10

Despite the fact that in this rating we abstract from a huge number of versions of the well-known Windows, we cannot but single out one of the most successful and fastest versions - Windows 10. Do not be surprised that we put Windows in 10th place. Yes, it is the most popular, but it is precisely because of this that one of the most hacked and not always secure. It also costs money, unless of course you downloaded its distribution from pirate sites.

The system is very easy to use and will appeal to both lovers of the metro interface and those who are used to the usual Start menu. The official build contains all the programs you need to get started, including the new fast MS Edge browser.

Benefits of Windows 10:

• The "START" key is returned. In the eighth version of the OS, the developers relied on a tiled interface, which did not delight the users. Now the PC owner can independently choose how it is more convenient for him to work with the initial screen;
• Windows 10 is an extreme Microsoft development. This means that all the forces of the company are aimed precisely at improving and maintaining the operation of the OS. Security Service Packs are released almost every week. Microsoft is also good at eliminating viruses quickly. The owners of computers with a licensed top ten have repeatedly noted that they managed to avoid the massive spread of malware thanks to the developer's quick updates;
• The presence of the voice assistant Cortana. Search is even easier with built-in speech recognition;
• Reliable Firewall. With built-in Microsoft Defender, there's no need to install additional antivirus software. The firewall does an excellent job of detecting threats, quickly blocks the execution of malicious code, and allows you to scan the system;
• Quick start. The operating system starts up in less than 15 seconds, regardless of the performance of your PC;
• Setting up multiple desktops. Users can add an unlimited number of home screens and easily switch between them using hotkeys.

It is worth noting that Windows supports almost any games and programs, so there will definitely not be any problems installing software.

Disadvantages of Windows 10:

• User tracking. Microsoft does not hide that the new Windows 10 is capable of tracking user actions. The system regularly scans PCs for illegal Microsoft software products. Now the jailbroken will be simply removed from the PC. It is also no secret that the OS sends the developer data about visited resources and desktop photos. If desired, all these options and permissions can be disabled in the settings;
• Usage policy. Even after a long time since the release, the developers still have not decided on the distribution policy. In the first year, Windows 7/8 license holders could upgrade to a dozen for free. Today it costs money (from 8,000 to 14,000 rubles, depending on the build). At the same time, a loophole was found, with which you can update for free using the built-in utility "Accessibility".

9th place - ROSA

ROSA is a Russian assembly of the open source Linux operating system. The standard operating system kernel was completely rewritten by the ROSA developers. The goal of the project is to create a functional, free and user-friendly system that will suit any Russian-speaking user.

ROSA OS is completely free system. There are no purchases inside the OS itself either. The availability of the distribution has contributed to the distribution of the system not only among ordinary users, but also among large companies. As you know, ROSA is used both in units of the RF Ministry of Defense and in many private companies throughout the country.

ROSA OS advantages:

• Everything is ready to go. After installing the system, you do not need to install any drivers or additional programs. Everything you need is already in the system. If you wish, you can download the software from any specialized site. As you know, there is practically zero percentage of virus programs on Linux, so installation from third-party sources is not dangerous;
• Test mode. For those who have not yet decided to completely switch to ROSA OS, the developers have provided a guest mode. You can create a regular installation USB flash drive and boot with it. The OS will not be installed, and the user will be able to familiarize himself with its interface and functionality;
• Convenient interface. The arrangement of all elements is very thoughtful. Even a beginner can master a new system in 10-15 minutes. All programs are conveniently divided into tabs on the desktop. You can pin frequently used programs to the toolbox. The initial screen resembles the functionality of Windows;
• Virus protection. The risk of downloading malware is minimal, so you can easily browse any sites to install programs and games. If a virus is embedded in them, then it will only work in Windows or other more common operating systems.

Among the disadvantages of ROSA OS is a small number of programs. Not all Windows software has analogues for the Linux kernel.

8th place - FreeBSD

FreeBSD is an operating system that is tailored to work with servers and now regular desktop PCs. More than 30 years have passed since the beginning of the first developments of this system. Today FreeBSD is a simple, reliable and convenient OS that will be a good replacement for the familiar Windows.

FreeBSD advantages:

• Free license and unloading from the network;
• Open source allows you to modify the system;
• Spread. FreeBSD is used by many popular sites in the world to maintain the server side - Webmoney, Aliexpress, ASOS and others;
• Protection and reliability. It is worth noting the well-thought-out logic of the OS, the rational consumption of PC resources. FreeBSD is fast, even on low-end computers;
• Large selection of software. More than 4 thousand developers from all over the world are engaged in the development of versions of programs for FreeBSD. Due to this, the current versions of all popular programs quickly appear in the public domain.

Disadvantages of FreeBSD:

• Complexity of customization. This is the main reason for the small popularity of FreeBSD among ordinary users. Having dealt with the first OS setup, you get a system that runs much faster than Windows;
• Difficulty obtaining documentation. If you want to customize the administration of your site on FreeBSD, you need to take the time to find the administration documentation.

To ensure security, FreeBSD uses all the necessary levels of protection: encryption mechanisms, authentication control, inspection of incoming and outgoing traffic, regular monitoring of the system for malicious code.

7th place - Fedora

Fedora is a Linux-like operating system that features free software. It should be noted that the drivers used may be closed source, and some types of software may have a limited license (for example, codecs for playing media).

Fedora benefits:

• Using the Gnome environment. The Gnome development for Fedora is considered one of the most successful desktop implementations in operating systems;
• Easy to use. The developers have created a simple and beautiful design for the desktop, program tabs. Fast movement between open applications and folders is possible thanks to the side toolbar;
• Pre-installed programs. After installation, you will have access to a software package for a complete start to work with Fedora (web browser, explorer, utility for viewing images, software for managing virtual machines, etc.);
• Fast installation of new applications. The software is installed through the "Application Center", in the same way as on a regular smartphone;
• Upgradeable over the air. You can download and install new OS firmware using the Gnome Software utility.

Disadvantages of Fedora:

• Fedora is considered a “free testing ground” among developers. All applications appear faster, but there is a great chance that the software will be unfinished and unstable.

6th place - Elementary OS

Elementary OS is a fast and at the same time functional replacement for the familiar Windows. The developers position the system as a simple environment for work, which logically follows from the name of the OS.

The system uses the kernel of the Linux distribution. Elementary OS is distributed free of charge and works absolutely on all computers, regardless of hardware components.

Benefits of Elementary OS:

• Convenient and pleasant interface. The minimalist style is the basis of the operating system functionality. A minimum of elements have been added to the desktop, but all of them allow you to manage the OS without problems. It should be noted the smoothness of window switching and very fast loading of programs;
• Easy to learn. Even a novice user can figure out Elementary OS. No complicated commands, forced work with the console and incomprehensible parameters. The functionality can be compared to the ease of use of the Android mobile OS - all basic settings can be adjusted in the desktop tools window .;

• An excellent set of standard programs. As a rule, users do not take the applications preinstalled in the OS seriously. In the case of Elementary OS, the developers have tried to create a useful base software package that you don't want to remove;
• Regular stream of new programs. Developers quickly adapt programs for Elementary OS.

Overall, the system is great for home use. Such an OS will not work for server administration or creation of a workstation. Elementary OS security is provided by built-in security modules from Linux.

If you have a weak computer or want to install an additional "light" OS, feel free to choose Elementary OS.

5th place - Chrome OS

Chrome OS is an open source operating system from Google. The main feature of the system is the use of a hybrid kernel (Linux kernel in combination with Google services).

The OS is distributed free of charge, and its popularity among users is due to its fast work and pleasant design.

Benefits of Chrome OS:

• The system is dominated by web applications, with the Chrome browser playing a key role in managing the system. It is with its help that web applications are loaded and run;
• There are no special requirements for the hardware architecture. Thanks to the simple concept of Chrome OS, you don't need a powerful PC or laptop to install the system. On the contrary, the system was specially designed for low-performance machines (netbooks, low-end notebooks). Using web services allows you to reduce the load on the hard disk and RAM;
• Security in automatic mode. The download of packages with updates to the protection module occurs regularly. Also, the system has a built-in defender to quickly identify threats;
• Ease of use;
• Availability of software. You can download all programs from Google Play or Android Nougat service. The abundance of software in these online stores will keep the user from running out of applications. In addition, all software is perfectly adapted for the desktop operating system.

At first glance, the Chrome OS interface resembles the amalgamation of Android and Windows. The installed programs are placed in a separate menu, and the system is controlled using the toolbar, as in the Windows desktop.

Among the disadvantages of Chrome OS is the need for a constant connection to the Internet. It is advisable to use a Wi-Fi network or an Ethernet connection. Otherwise, you will not be able to work with web services.

4th place - OpenSuse

OpenSuse is another popular distribution that runs on the Linux kernel. Used to support both servers and home computers. New system firmwares are released regularly, the release dates can be found on the developer's website.

An OpenSuse user can customize the system on their own. You don't need to have programming skills to do this. Changing the interface consists in choosing the desktop environment you like. While most Linux builds can only work with one desktop environment, OpenSuse supports several design utilities at once. The most popular of these are KDE and XFCE.

OpenSuse benefits:

• Simple setup. The operating system can be controlled using a single YaST application. This tool allows you to adjust the parameters of the OpenSuse operation. Users can independently add repositories, manage boot parameters, OS partitions, network connection settings and other parameters;
• Free distribution of software. All programs you need will work in OpenSuse. The system automatically adapts the software for your computer;
• Easy installation of programs. Unlike most Linux builds, you no longer need to install repositories yourself, add access keys and perform complex settings. It is enough to download the required program from the official source https://software.opensuse.org/ and install it in one click.

Disadvantages of OpenSuse:

• The standard assembly lacks codecs and driver software, which complicates the first OS setup;
• Users note the unstable work of the standard MonSoon torrent client.

3rd place - Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a versatile operating system that runs on the Debian GNU / Linux engine. The system works great on servers, personal computers and laptops. The standard build comes with a Unity-controlled desktop environment.

Benefits of Ubuntu:

• Work with equipment... Ubuntu supports a wide variety of connected device types. For example, any device connected via USB will work without any problems and driver software;
• User support... Ubuntu has the largest and most responsive community. If necessary, beginners will be able to get answers to all questions using the developer's official website;
• Reliability... The OS has built-in utilities for backing up data. The system independently creates copies of important files, archives them and sends them to the cloud. This ensures the reliability of Ubuntu. If you are administering a server on this OS, there is no better way to quickly rollback data;
• Safety system... The developers have provided a whole system of applications that monitor vulnerabilities in the background. Ubuntu is considered the strongest Linux distribution in terms of security;
• Program Center... A special utility for finding and installing programs also allows a beginner to get acquainted with the basics of installing software under Linux. On the page of each application there is a detailed description of the software, its requirements and reviews from other users.

Ubuntu is distributed free of charge. As for the shortcomings of the system, one can highlight the lack of simple migration tools from the Windows OS. Also, Ubuntu lacks effective parental control utilities, so installing a distribution for family use is not recommended.

2nd place - MacOS

MacOS is a family of operating systems from Apple Corporation. At the moment, the most current build is Mac OS Sierra. Unlike the operating systems described above, the Mac does not run on Unix-like systems, but uses the native engine from Apple.

The system distribution kit is distributed free of charge.

MacOS advantages:

• Usability and graphical interface. This OS is recognized as the best system for users. All options and settings are focused on quick learning. The interface is multilingual, intuitive and convenient;
• High degree of protection. Mac OS is the most secure of all modern operating systems. The number of viruses is practically zero, and the built-in antivirus will cope with all "pests";
• Easy to install and remove programs. You just need to move the shortcut to the trash can to completely remove the application. Mac OS does everything for the user. You do not need to manually clean up your hard drive like in Windows or Linux;
• Stable work. Due to the high compatibility of components, users do not encounter bugs, freezes or crashes in the OS.

Disadvantages of macOS:

• Compatibility. If you own a PC, not a Macintosh, you can install an operating system only if it is compatible with your hardware components. MacOS runs on a limited number of processors (mostly Intel Core and Xeon);
• Fewer programs than in the same Windows.

1st place - Linux Mint

Linux Mint is voted the best build for custom PCs. It meets all the requirements of the average user - it is distributed free of charge, is compatible with any hardware, rationally consumes PC resources and has a user-friendly interface.

Linux Mint Benefits:

• Quick start. The system boots up in 10-12 seconds, which is significantly faster than Mac OS and most Windows systems;
• Support for working with multiple desktops;
• Built-in utility for quick installation and removal of programs. In this version of Linux, users will not have to deal with repositories. Everything is done for easy work with the software;
• Multilingual interface;
• Fast system debugging. If you are faced with freezing programs, you can disable the process by pressing one key;
• Supported by all desktop PCs and laptops.
• Convenient interface.

Disadvantages of Linux Mint:

• A limited number of software for specific tasks (video editing, working with graphics, etc.);
• Lack of stable graphics driver for AMD, which may cause some games to malfunction.

Outcome

When choosing an operating system, first of all, pay attention to the tasks that you set for the software environment. Need a fast and secure OS for everyday use? Pay attention to Unix-like systems.

If you want a reliable OS with a great graphical environment, we recommend choosing Mac OS. For those who like the interface and functionality of mobile systems, you should start using Chrome OS.