![]() ![]() There’s a strong argument for it being more secure than the alternatives above. If all you do is browse the web and send email, with a few other light tasks occasionally, it’s possible a Chromebook might be right up your alley. Unfortunately, there’s a reason Linux is still considered an OS for geeks (albeit a good one) 3. Note that online help for Linux runs that gamut from non-existent to somewhat helpful to downright belligerent at times, so be sure to pack a fair amount of patience. If you just need to put something else on your existing hardware, and are willing to take the time to look for and learn about alternatives for the applications you’re used to running on Windows, Linux could be a choice. If you need the power of a fully powered, popular, operating system with a corporation standing behind it to update and support it, and with numerous familiar applications that can do just about anything, a Mac might be the only real alternative for you. Every person has different needs and expectations, and all of the alternatives have different pros and cons when compared to those needs. That phrase “depending on your needs” keeps coming up. These versions are often stripped-down equivalents to those you might find on Windows, but again, depending on your needs, they may be enough. The good news here is that many Chromebooks can also run Android applications, where there often are official versions of Windows applications. Once again, Chrome OS does not run Windows software, so you’ll be looking for alternatives. Google Chrome OS is available only on “Chromebooks” - laptops specifically designed to run the Chrome OS - so you’ll be getting a new machine to go this route. You’ll need to find alternative applications that serve the same needs. Unfortunately, true Linux versions of Windows applications are very rare. Like OS X, Linux does not run Windows applications 2, so you’ll be looking for alternatives. There are a confusing number of distributions to choose from, with Ubuntu and Mint being the most popular for Windows expats. Linux is free and runs on almost any PC, even an old one collecting dust in a closet. ![]() You’ll need to get Mac versions of software, like Microsoft Office, for example, or alternative applications that serve the same need, such as LibreOffice or Open Office. It also means replacing all the software you use, as OS X does not run Windows applications. ![]() OS X runs (legally 1) only on Apple hardware, so switching means getting a new computer and learning the nuances of OS X’s interface (just as you learned the nuances of Windows). They each have significant pitfalls, depending on what you expect. The most commonly considered alternatives include Apple’s OS X on Macs, Linux, and the Google Chrome operating systems. Whether any alternative will work for you depends on how that alternative’s characteristics compare to your needs. ![]() There is no exact replacement for Microsoft Windows. Any alternative demands time and effort to learn to use it.Less common alternatives include the mobile devices you may already be using.Whether or not any of them would work for you depends entirely on how you use your computer.There are three major alternatives to Windows: Mac OS X, Linux, and Chrome. ![]()
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