Five operating system alternatives to Windows 8 and XP

[Night Hawk]

I think most will agree that the best is found at the bottom of the list!

Five operating system alternatives to Windows 8 and XP

Summary: XP's end of life-support is in sight and not everybody wants Windows 8. So, what are your other choices?

By Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols for Between the Lines

April 9, 2013 -- 22:03 GMT (15:03 PDT)

On April 8, 2014, Microsoft will stop supporting XP, but most people are not moving to Windows 8. Indeed, according to a TechRepublic survey, enterprise XP users are especially reluctant to move to Windows 8, so what are you going to use for your desktop in 2014? Here are my five suggestions in the order I think you should consider them.

see full report

 

[Alejandro85]

I have yet to find a really good reason to look for an alternative to XP!!!!

Ok, about the list, Win7 is the logical obvious choice
But tablets? They're no match for a real computer with a real OS, tablets are basically toys, not suited for real life work, maybe good for some informal browsing or a few games.
ChromeOS is really a Linux with Chrome browser as the shell, really a stripped version that can browse and barely anything else, 100% dependent on internet, not seems to be a good choice.
Linux and Mac I think are good alternatives too.
I would like to add ReactOS (ReactOS Project) to the mix, if it were a bit more stable I would seriously consider it a real alternative to MS.

 

[bobkn]

Thanks for noting that it was an SJVN article.

I looked at it anyway.

 

[Berkey]

Gotta wonder what MS is thinking when they see articles like this in addition to wide spread distaste from PC users and business. What if Blue flops, I mean is it really the last thing that will save 8

 

[Night Hawk]

I think by this time many are wondering if Blue will provide the options that were left out of 8! This may be the comeback role MS is taking since the initial reactions being seen in the market are not what someone at MS was projecting!

As for the other guy's OS like Chrome? Give me a break! Google should have left the OS business alone but came out with a set of half baked IPad, IPhone type OS decisions that are certainly geared for hand helds including the half baked browser that still looks like a beta for something!

As for the open source alternatives that's an endless debate since it is "open source" and forever changing! While both Linux and the Fruit company as well as Solaris by SUN Microsystems are all UNIX based Linux is the "flavor of the month" type OS with countless releases always in the works.

There you first have to choose which base kernel like Debian, Fedora, Mandriva, etc. and then pick a release for so many months. The main advantage despite the drama of what comes next in so many is it's free! But for all of your softwares you still end up paying for what you get as far as the one OS that will run everything. That also brings you right back to 7 or Vista if not running XP or 8! for all those Windows apps except for things like Wine and running VMs on the other OS.

 

[lehnerus2000]

As for the open source alternatives that's an endless debate since it is "open source" and forever changing! While both Linux and the Fruit company as well as Solaris by SUN Microsystems are all UNIX based Linux is the "flavor of the month" type OS with countless releases always in the works.

I thought that MS was planning to do exactly the same thing (i.e. yearly(?) releases, W8.1, W9, etc.).

 

[FerchogtX]

You really can use a tablet for some work purposes, but it works far better if you're primary an information consumer rather than an information producer. So, sure if you're looking up data from a spreadsheet, searching the Web, or reading e-mail, they're great. But, if you're putting data into a spreadsheet, creating Web-pages or writing long e-mails or documents, the platform can quickly become annoying. Sure you can solve those problems with a Bluetooth keyboard and a mouse but do you know what you call a tablet with a keyboard and a mouse? I call it a laptop computer myself.

And this is why desktops are never beaten by a toy... tablet...

 

[Night Hawk]

As for the open source alternatives that's an endless debate since it is "open source" and forever changing! While both Linux and the Fruit company as well as Solaris by SUN Microsystems are all UNIX based Linux is the "flavor of the month" type OS with countless releases always in the works.

I thought that MS was planning to do exactly the same thing (i.e. yearly(?) releases, W8.1, W9, etc.).

The major difference with MS is that the end user doesn't submit things for review and see them implimented in a new release at some point like you would with Linux distros. When someone comes up with something worthwhile that will improve things the Linux community will then make a decision to include it.

With MS has made some interesting changes over the last several years initially seeing XP SP2 add in new features into the older version while none of that was going to be seen from then on with any newer version's SPs only bugs fixed, security updates, and enabling support for things like new technologies that come along after the initial release.

As for the scheduled release for each newer version MS wanting to get back the 2-3yr. time frame after Vista's late launch gummed up the works a bit since it was a 6yr. wait for the next to come along as well as MS understating what the actual system requirements were! Obviously the larger version on less then adequate hardwares was a bad mix!

8 on the other hand has a progression of the MinWin kernel 7 brought in and will run on the same old tanks Vista slumped on! 7 was found responsive on an old XP boat with only 512mb working until cleaning the contacts and reseating the pair of 512s to then see 1gb total. 7 still was peppy with that and a 128mb AGP video card. When 8 came along it certainly wasn't the peppy response being a problem at least following 7 in that manner as well while suffering a lesser feature driven OS!

So now we look at XP going to way side and what to do for an OS when finding 8 won't work! as many I hear from about that! What to do about an OS for the desktop or laptop? It certainly can't be replaced too well by item #5 in the report now can it? Yet MS deployed that type of gui on 8 and why many reject it for that reason.

As for the Fruit company you shell out the BIG do re' me and run only their softwares with exceptions on their hardwares on their machines that you pay much more for! Ripoff! They see you coming over simply building your own Windows machines!

We alll know about Linux and it's many flavors! as for item #3 but item #2 tanks like 8! Chromebooks are much like smartbooks where the OS is embedded as well as "limited"! No thanks! leading us right back to the Numero Uno #1 OS "7"!

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Unless you are a "techie" Linux is NEVER going to become mainstream -- never mind how good or bad it is there are just TOO MANY different distros, no central software repositories or no central update mechanism -- this would be a total DISASTER for any type of central IT dept. (Servers are another issue -- but you have large corporate suppliers like Red Hat).

It's always a bit touch and go when you try new peripherals -- sometimes these can only be made to work by re-compiling Kernel modules etc. -- Do you really expect your average home user --especially the older ones to do this.-.

Android tends to be a bit more successful since it is a relatively centralized OS -- OK it's Linux based but that's not the issue. People just switch on their phones and the manufacturer will supply automatically the next update.

However running Android as a full PC type OS would deliver far too many problems --for starters it's as leaky as a sieve so hacking would become endemic, there's almost no way in stopping people from installing almost anything they like -- and of most of the phone apps I've seen out there are absolutely DREADFUL -- probably knocked up by a bored 9 year old kid instead of doing his / her homework.

The Fruit Company isn't really an alternative either since it doesn't allow you to connect user (non apple) peripherals very easily if at all.

Whether we like it or not there ISN'T any alternative to Windows and there really isn't likely to be any either.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Golden]

Whether we like it or not there ISN'T any alternative to Windows and there really isn't likely to be any either.

I disagree....there are several excellent distributions around, and its far easier than it used to be, or is made out to be.

Try LinuxMint14 or Zorin....it has almost everything the home user needs.

 

[King Arthur]

Hi there
Unless you are a "techie" Linux is NEVER going to become mainstream -- never mind how good or bad it is there are just TOO MANY different distros, no central software repositories or no central update mechanism -- this would be a total DISASTER for any type of central IT dept. (Servers are another issue -- but you have large corporate suppliers like Red Hat).

It's always a bit touch and go when you try new peripherals -- sometimes these can only be made to work by re-compiling Kernel modules etc. -- Do you really expect your average home user --especially the older ones to do this.-.

Android tends to be a bit more successful since it is a relatively centralized OS -- OK it's Linux based but that's not the issue. People just switch on their phones and the manufacturer will supply automatically the next update.

I completely agree with you regarding the decentralization that Linux has. While enthusiasts like us might not mind, the average home user is literally left saying "WHAT DO???" in the face of so many distros each doing things their own way coupled with so many desktop environments (aka shells, like Explorer). Choice is always a good thing, but too much choice without clear elaboration in a way Joe Average can understand is pointless.

However running Android as a full PC type OS would deliver far too many problems --for starters it's as leaky as a sieve so hacking would become endemic, there's almost no way in stopping people from installing almost anything they like -- and of most of the phone apps I've seen out there are absolutely DREADFUL -- probably knocked up by a bored 9 year old kid instead of doing his / her homework.

Now here's something that strikes me as odd: Why would we want to prohibit people from installing whatever they like on their computers? I'll admit, it's a known fact that a lot of malware get in because most people just click every link willy nilly, but freedom to install anything you like is also what has made Windows so successful as a mainstream desktop operating system. Are we taking this freedom for granted, or does most of us truly want someone like Apple, Google, or Microsoft telling us what we can and cannot install and run on our computers? I don't want to think that we as a society have stooped so low that some of us can't think for ourselves anymore.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Unless you are a "techie" Linux is NEVER going to become mainstream -- never mind how good or bad it is there are just TOO MANY different distros, no central software repositories or no central update mechanism -- this would be a total DISASTER for any type of central IT dept. (Servers are another issue -- but you have large corporate suppliers like Red Hat).

It's always a bit touch and go when you try new peripherals -- sometimes these can only be made to work by re-compiling Kernel modules etc. -- Do you really expect your average home user --especially the older ones to do this.-.

Android tends to be a bit more successful since it is a relatively centralized OS -- OK it's Linux based but that's not the issue. People just switch on their phones and the manufacturer will supply automatically the next update.

I completely agree with you regarding the decentralization that Linux has. While enthusiasts like us might not mind, the average home user is literally left saying "WHAT DO???" in the face of so many distros each doing things their own way coupled with so many desktop environments (aka shells, like Explorer). Choice is always a good thing, but too much choice without clear elaboration in a way Joe Average can understand is pointless.

However running Android as a full PC type OS would deliver far too many problems --for starters it's as leaky as a sieve so hacking would become endemic, there's almost no way in stopping people from installing almost anything they like -- and of most of the phone apps I've seen out there are absolutely DREADFUL -- probably knocked up by a bored 9 year old kid instead of doing his / her homework.

Now here's something that strikes me as odd: Why would we want to prohibit people from installing whatever they like on their computers? I'll admit, it's a known fact that a lot of malware get in because most people just click every link willy nilly, but freedom to install anything you like is also what has made Windows so successful as a mainstream desktop operating system. Are we taking this freedom for granted, or does most of us truly want someone like Apple, Google, or Microsoft telling us what we can and cannot install and run on our computers? I don't want to think that we as a society have stooped so low that some of us can't think for ourselves anymore.

Hi there
For Business use most laptops are usually locked down -- not so much to "control users" but to stop illegal / pirated software from being installed -- if a corporate laptop has illegal software the corporation can get fined BIG TIME - so that's why a lot of company laptops are controlled. It does also stop a bit of tinkering so the admins don't have to spend all their time on "repairing Windows".

I've never found in my working career that you can't get a piece of software installed on a company laptop if you can provide decent justification for it - even if it's not "Company standard".

Now with the Android type apps one often hasn't a clue either on the "Provenance" of these apps (i.e where do they originate from, copyright issues involved etc etc) or how much of a security risk these are.

I agree for home use if users hose up stuff or download illegal software then it's up to the USER but in the business world apart from the legal costs involved if pirated / copyright material is found being used on a company machine security considerations are also paramount so that's why I can't see Android as ever being used as an alternative to windows on company computers.

If Tablets are ever issued by companies to individuals then we might see something else - but I'm sure a basic Android tablet being hooked up to a company Lan would not be looked at with any great enthusiasm by any self respecting IT service dept.

As for too much choice -- I can agree too -- I always remember my first visit many years ago to a large Supermarket in Los Angeles -- I literally was lost in the aisles in deciding which of the 45 varieties of Lettuce should I buy -- as a youngster back home in Iceland -- you were lucky if you could find 3 - and this type of stuff always had to be imported (nowadays with relatively cheap energy a lot can be grown under glass but I still would think 45 varieties might be a tad too many !!).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[bigseb]

Whether we like it or not there ISN'T any alternative to Windows and there really isn't likely to be any either.

I disagree....there are several excellent distributions around, and its far easier than it used to be, or is made out to be.

Try LinuxMint14 or Zorin....it has almost everything the home user needs.

I aggree with this. Zorin is amazing, although being Linux based it still won't run your games or specialist software. Mint 14 is also a great OS.

 

[Wenda]

I've been playing around with Mint 14 Cinnamon lately (in a VM), and I'm quite impressed with it.
Much more so than with the latest Ubuntu.

Wenda.

 

[Night Hawk]

Whether we like it or not there ISN'T any alternative to Windows and there really isn't likely to be any either.

I disagree....there are several excellent distributions around, and its far easier than it used to be, or is made out to be.

Try LinuxMint14 or Zorin....it has almost everything the home user needs.

There has been an alternate OS or two for some time. BUT! Have fun trying to run Windows games and apps without a little 3rd party help involved. The fruit company provides their own softwares for the "higher prices" on average as well as SUN having their own Solaris but intended more towards the business end of things. While Linux flavors have been progressive the decentralized theme jimbo45 points out as well as it being awkward to learn besides clicking on FireFox, Konquerer, Ice Weasel, or another open source browser including Opera for Linux most wouldn't know how to use a console for the Bash commands which is a UNIX set unfamiliar to the basic dos commands.

The structure of manual commands is also just a little more involved over typing disk part or exit with a command like "tar cvf archive.tar file1" part of a command to write to a tape backup using UNIX there. There is help however while most wouldn't want to get that involved learning manual commands especially when a bit more awkward and time consuming over using FDisk or Disk Part at the command prompt or live boot for an old version. One reference with several guides linked is seen at Top 10 Best Cheat Sheets and Tutorials for Linux / UNIX Commands for anyone wanting to spend the time getting up on the other OS.

Now while the manual side is awkward the gui side has seen it's own progressive changes on the other hand making it more like what? A Windows look alike to a certain degree in order to draw in more Windows users to try Linux out. As far as replacing Windows? Most won't no matter how ugly MS makes each newer version simply since they still need Windows for the most part to run Windows apps and games they have grown too familiar with. Of course one other thing to note is that Steam is now gearing into Linux to expand the gaming to the other OS.

 

[jimbo45]

Whether we like it or not there ISN'T any alternative to Windows and there really isn't likely to be any either.

I disagree....there are several excellent distributions around, and its far easier than it used to be, or is made out to be.

Try LinuxMint14 or Zorin....it has almost everything the home user needs.

I aggree with this. Zorin is amazing, although being Linux based it still won't run your games or specialist software. Mint 14 is also a great OS.

Hi there
Please follow the post -- For Business users it won't wash -- the whole point of SEVERAL distributions kills the whole idea. Business needs a CENTRAL distribution with a well defined upgrade mechanism.

Distros like Linux Mint might be "The flavour of the month" one day and another one later -- look at Ubuntu -- at one time hugely popular but now not so much "The top dog". The other problem is that what happens when the developers get fed up / move on to another project, fork critical applications etc. -- Look at things like the old X-Server etc. There's just NO long term continuity that a commercial organisation like Ms (or even "The Fruit Company") can provide.

There are of course some hugely talented developers who maintain these types of distros but it's too much of a "Disorganised set of hobbyists" for a serious business to base its IT strategy on.

As a home user you can say -- OK I'm fed up with this distro -- I'll choose another one -- but changing the OS in a large business doesn't work that way -- loads are still running XP. It can take YEARS to change an OS as there are loads of other systems that have to be tested properly too.

I'd also say typical home users just want to get home -- run their computer -- plug in a piece of software and know that it works.

What does a non techie home user do say when they buy a new printer and want to install it in their computer. - Usually the manufacturer supplies a disk - and hey presto it install and works. The user knows "I'm running Windows" and just installs the software.

Are the manufacturers going to supply 97 versions of their disks to support loads of Linux distros all running with different levels of kernels etc. - What happens if a typical home user get "Compile error". --Most users I know wouldn't have a clue what that meant in any case.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[King Arthur]

@jimbo45
I was speaking of freedom to install and run software from the perspective of the home user, where you directly own your computer and are solely responsible for what you do on it. With regards to business and enterprise, tons of legal and financial factors make them a completely different story from home usage and the prohibition of "willy nilly" software installations and executions is oftentimes justified to avoid getting into legal troubles which can and will kill companies.

In short, I largely agree with you. I just didn't realize you were primarily talking from the enterprise POV.

 

[Golden]

most wouldn't know how to use a console for the Bash commands which is a UNIX set unfamiliar to the basic dos commands

I really don't see that as an impediment for the average home user though........for example its safe to say most home users don't get deep into ICALCs from the Windows 7 command prompt.

If they don't in Windows 7, they don't need to in Linux.

 

[HerrKaLeun]

this article is a joke. they talk about business users not wanting to change from XP. first, what screwed up business still uses XP likely still uses horse-drawn carriages and will be out of business soon anyway. If an IT department still doesn't have a plan what to do after XP and relies on articles like that they are not worth anything.

Second, how would businesses run their accounting, excel, CAD software etc. on chrome, Linux, Mac or a tablet etc? If you do photoshop/website design etc. Mac may work. but for all other real work there only is windows. Not because windows is the best OS, but because all productivity software is for windows. that is why even the Apple fanboys the first thing they do is use Windows in bootcamp and buy an MS Office copy when they do actual work with their Mac.

Those alternatives to windows are fine for someone who is NOT a business and just browses around, checks email and facebooks (unfortunately W8 caters to that crowd)

 

[Golden]

Please follow the post -- For Business users it won't wash --

I think that idea is antiquated.....some very large organisation seem to be doing very well indeed.

List of Linux adopters - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia