define personal use wat do U use it for? if u know wat ur doing, and unwilling to pay $$ unix/linux is the go (and of cos, u gotta b bothered to write ur own drivers for alot of the stuff... lol) then its leopard vs vista depends if u wanna single click or double click? they're all pretty much the same these days
Need to give us more info on your preferences. Leopard is a fast, efficient OS that has few problems with it, on the other hand if you're considering windows than try not to get Vista until SP1 or SP2 comes out. Windows has the advantage when it comes to third party software. Some programs you are currently using will not be compatible with Mac OS X. Its also the better OS for things like programming. Mac is more better for development of art, music, film, and ECT. And if you want Mac OS you have to buy a whole new comp (an iMac or MacBook). Since it's almost impossible to run Mac on a PC. Linux is completely free and open source. Never really used it that much so I can't give you enough insight on it, but if you go with Linux than try to use ubuntu. I heard pretty good things about it. In the end it all depends on what you need for your computer.
Windows XP with SP2, aint used SP3 yet so i cant comment on it. Much faster and easier to use than vista imo
well yea.. window xp sp2 is good enough... but vista.. just wait for sp1 to come out.. even though im using vista.. no one ever agrees with vista being good lolz.. im still waiting on vista sp1 to come out..zzz.. xp=takes less memory i think.. and vista takes more... so depends on what you want to use also.. vista can't use a lot of xp softwares also..
Ubuntu DapperDrake till HardyHeron gets more sophisticated... then switchover to HardyHeron... otherwise... XP till they stop support... which is soon i think? From what I've heard... Leopard is terrible compared to previous releases... or... if ur not sure yet... go with XP on the system, and run Ubuntu off ur thumbdrive... that's what i'm doing anyways
you can always try out the Linux distros with the LiveCDs means you can run em off a cd, no need to install, bit slow, but lets you see what linux is like
it all depends on what u want to do. mac for music and video stuff. i find ubuntu to be the best for programming. for normal use like home use.. casual... any could work. but i'd try to stick with windows more support and more programs work on windows u might start having compatibilty problems over time with new apps when using linux and mac.
no, no, no, people, Windows-line of OS is crap! windows is ONLY good for playing games.....!!!!, maybe web-surfing. nothing good, otherwise. for any serious works, you need Mac-OS like Leopard, or UNIX and its variances. seriously music and video productions are done either Mac-OS or UNIX-workstations, all graphic intensive apps are run on UNIX machines( all those movie special affects, ahem!).
but for a working everyday OS, windows XP is as good as they come in my opinion remember OP asked for a personal use OS, not workstation class stuff
Windows is the better programming OS IMO. Cause of development tools such as NetBeans (Java IDE) are available to windows. It's also best just to go with windows, if you're not familiar or unsure about switching to other OS's. I don't think I would recommend installing Linux right away for anyone who isn't that familiar with computers. As dimsum said:
ive decided to go against installing ubuntu.. i wont be able to play starcraft anymore if i install it.. on the other hand, if i can find a virtual machine software, i may just install ubuntu on it..
For a regular non-savvy computer person, just use Windows XP with SP2. If you like learning new things and dont mind making mistakes try Leopard OS. If you are really computer savvy, try Linux. But, Vista is out of the question right now, its too slow and unstable to be reliable. Most non-new computer do not and should not be vista upgraded even if it says it could. Personally I would get a mac and get boot camp to have both leopard and windows XP on it. Best of both worlds in one cpu
windows is fine as an operating system. linux distributions may be better but bcos of their uncompatibility it can be hard work and a lot of hassle. mac osx is pretty gd but it all depends on what computer ur using bcos if its windows u can't run mac osx on it. so just stick to windows xp. its probably the best one at the mo as it provides the best balance between functionality and resources. vista is a bit of a hog but if u have the right spec it will work just as well but why get vista when xp will run faster on the same spec.
