The Best Operating System?

The operating system is one of the most overlooked parts in the software of a computer. As of December 2021, 73% of desktop computers were run on Windows and around 16% on MacOS. The other 11% are completely unknown to most people. Around 5% of desktop operating systems were Linux based, including operating systems like ChromeOS.

What is an Operating System?

The operating system (OS) of a computer decides the general structure and framework behind its software. As soon as a computer is turned on, it immediately opens to the OS. The OS also works as a link to the hardware and all the other software installed on the computer.

What is Linux?

Before delving into a discussion of the best operating systems, Linux, a more obscure word thrown around in the OS world, must be explained. Built by Linus Torvalds in 1991, Linux is not an operating system. It is a kernel which is responsible for memory management, device drivers and processor usage. Just like a popcorn kernel, it is the inner part that carries its essence. Many operating systems such as Ubuntu or Fedora are built on top of Linux. The Linux kernel only has basic functionality, so any skilled developer can easily customize their own OS.

What is the Best Operating System?

Some operating systems are superior to others in a variety of aspects. The best OS is one that excels in fulfilling the personal needs of the user. Every OS has a niche demographic that it best targets:

A. User Friendliness: MacOS

Ever since the birth of MacOS, Steve Jobs had pushed for user friendliness first. The font system he created is now the standard for all computers. MacOS also has the most intuitive hand gestures on the trackpad. However, it lacks accessibility and compatibility. Moreover, MacOS can only be run on Mac laptops and desktops. The Mac hardware also diminishes the compatibility with MacOS and other software. The newer Mac computers run only on ARM based M1 chips, meaning that only certain apps built for ARM or easily translated into ARM code can run on the newer Mac devices. Even though it has many downsides, its intuitive navigability is the best trait that an OS can have.

B. Compatibility: Windows

Windows 11 has launched recently, and Microsoft announced that it would be the last Windows OS that they will continue to build upon. Windows is the most used OS because of its accessibility. Although Windows has a price, Windows is basically a free OS. Anyone can download a copy of Windows and install it on a computer without activation. The structure of Windows has remained the same for many years and most software is compatible with Windows. In particular, smaller and lesser-known pieces of software are built for Windows; however, Windows is a heavier operating system that takes up memory and processing power that can be used for other processes.

C. Best Performance: AntiX (Debian)

AntiX is based on Linux. It is based on Debian Linux which is a general framework or distribution of it. AntiX is a very minimal OS and meant to be run on an older computer that is now slow. It has the basic features for a computer and has better compatibility than MacOS. The extra processing power created by using this OS is beneficial for restoring old devices.

D. Most Interesting: TempleOS

The creator of TempleOS, Terry Davis, had built it from scratch in a 20-yearlong development period. He built this as a Temple for God after being diagnosed as a schizophrenic. Even the coding language HolyC that the OS runs off is an original coding language based of C and built in x86 assembly. TempleOS doesn’t have any internet or Bluetooth and runs on Ring 0, meaning that the user has full control of every single piece of hardware in the computer. A Ouija board type game is installed on the OS that shows the “words of God.” Davis building an OS from scratch without even a Kernel shows his full understanding over the computer.