When replacing Windows 7 PC: Should you switch to Windows 10 or Mac?

groze · 03 Feb 2016

michael diemer said:

Many people feel that is getting to be too much like Microsoft, in that it tracks you. You can install a different desktop environment, like Cinnamon, and the tracking supposedly goes away. But the Unity DE that is the Ubuntu default definitely tracks you.

In my opinion, Zorin is leaner than Mint, which is why it seems to work better, at least on my computer. But Mint is way more popular, second only to Ubuntu in the Linux world. The Zorin forum is small, but the responses are quick. and as has been said, all three of these OS's are so similar that what you read on one forum almost always applies to the others.

I never heard that about Ubuntu. It really wasn't that bad. Just your searches were going through Amazon that is all. They just forgot to warn you and fixed that later with an update. That is one reason Linux Mint & other distro were formed. One EULA I am not sure about is OpenSuse Gnome desktop but I haven't studied enough to make an opinion.

michael diemer · 04 Feb 2016

If Apple wants to make some money off the Windows 10 debacle, they should make their OS available to PC's. I would buy it so I can run music software that I can't run om Linux. I think lots of other folks would buy it too. If they don't, Linux will be the only alternative, unless you bite the bullet and buy a Mac.

whs · 04 Feb 2016

This is another very good option. And don't be afraid. Mint does not bite.

â€‹Why switch to Windows 10 or a Mac when you can use Linux Mint 17.3 instead? | ZDNet

whs · 04 Feb 2016

I like Mint and Zorin. Maybe you can start with those.

whs · 04 Feb 2016

You should stay away from Unity. I like Mate.

lehnerus2000 · 04 Feb 2016

michael diemer said:

But Mint is way more popular, second only to Ubuntu in the Linux world.

According to DistroWatch, Linux Mint has been the most popular Linux Distro from 2011 onwards (most page hits).

IMO, this is the result of Ubuntu forcing Unity on users.

whs said:

You should stay away from Unity. I like Mate.

IMO, Unity is awful.

When Ubuntu 10.04 couldn't cope with a new ATI graphics card I installed, I had to find a new Linux Distro (in 2013).

I didn't replace Ubuntu 10.04 with Ubuntu 12.10 because of Unity.
I swapped to Linux Mint.

whs · 04 Feb 2016

Exactly, I used Ubuntu for 5 years but when Unity came up I went with Mint.

lehnerus2000 · 04 Feb 2016

Here's Dedoimedo's article on Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa (Xfce version):
Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa Xfce - Absolutely fantastic

He had issues trying to clean install LM17.3 MATE, but the in-place upgrade was almost glitch free.

I created a LM17.3 MATE VM last week (no issues).
It took ~5 minutes to complete the install (ISO & VM on HDDs, network disconnected).

Jody Thornton · 07 Feb 2016

I use an old XP-era notebook (Dell D610) with Precise Puppy Linux v5.7.1. Great for browsing with SeaMonkey, email, and Gnumeric and AbiWord for office stuff. Cute little OS. I have the fonts set up (menus with bold Helvetica) so the desktop looks like OS/2 2x and 3x.

Lee · 17 Feb 2016

I have been using a Mac since 1987, and see no reason to change. . .I run Seven In Boot camp on a 2009 iMac 27', and run win 10 on a 2015 iMac 27" 5K (Sweet). I see no reason to buy a standard PC when the mac can be used as one either in Boot Camp, or using a VM. . .:)