Just a nutshelled list of the PC operating systems I've used.
Sartox & SYXZSZX also has one of these, you can see theirs' here:
The default OS any computer & laptop users will encounter & use, unless they're using Linux.
Pros:
Cons:
Upon connecting to the internet for the 1st boot (by 1st boot I mean 1st boot post-setup), it'll randomly install some annoying bloatware, such as Candy Crush, Facebook, Skype, etc. The only good thing about these is that they can be uninstalled.
There's so much privacy issues with Windows that it had to be listed down.
Microsoft loves their honeypot OS so much that even disabling the telemetry & getting the Enterprise edition will not stop Windows from sending unsolicited telemetry (archive.org).
Microsoft saw Windows 10 as the "OS of the future". Well, I'd agree with that, if the definition of future is "when people are chained to big corpos' dis-services".
Time has proven that Windows is not a secure OS, regardless of its patches & modernity. But then again, this is the OS most normies are consigned to use, no?
Sartox mentioned this in per's OS article. Whether it's true or not is unconfirmed. However, Microsoft's past Embrace, Extend, Extinguish strategy makes this a valid concern.
Also see :
A project that aims to deliver a stable, but spyware-free Windows 10 build. I am made aware of this by a certain Linus Tech Tips video.
Pros:
Cons:
Considering that Windows Update is one of Microsoft's backdoor to the user's Windows, this is a sensible choice. You won't get any further security patches though.
On the LTT video linked above, the network indicator claims that it has no internet access, though it could still browse normally. This issue may be related to Windows' NCSI (but I'm not sure since I didn't try it out).
This applies if you're using the scripts.
Another project similar to Ameliorated above, but with the added focus of responsiveness & performance (in short, gaming).
Pros:
Cons:
Apple's proprietary operating system, preinstalled only on Mac "computers".
Pros:
Requires Xcode & adb command tools.
Cons:
This is a proprietary OS built by Apple. While it could be more private than Windows, you're relying on Apple (a big corpo) to keep your data safe.
19/11/2020 update : Starting with Big Sur (the version landmark), the Big Sur (intended typo of "sir") Apple has injected a new fancy-ass telemetry that can't be turned off (at least in M1 macs). sneak.berlin has an article regarding this.
Starting with 10.9, they've taken names from Californian landmarks, such as Sierra, Catalina, & the most recent Big Sur.
Why the fuck would you name a version after landmarks (other than promoting said landmarks)?
Linux is the kernel, while GNU is the operating system. In that respect, I'll be calling it GNU/Linux (if I want to, of course).
Pros:
If you consider "having an available source code with the right license" a criteria for Libre software, well, OK. Guess I'll totally shut up & pretend that I'm not fighting against Libre software to do what I want to do.
Cons:
The sheer amount of choice will confuse a new user.
This issue is linked to the one above it.
An example I can offer is Linux's touch support, such as:
While most Linux contributors contribute towards Linux development in their spare time, let's face it - big corpos have the resources to actively "contribute" towards Linux development, by making (eventually bad) software that eventually becomes a dependency of other software.
Example of big corpo dependency by DigDeeper
Here are some examples for apps:
Budgie uses gnome-control-center for its settings, which means that in order to gain the full experience of the Budgie DE, you'll have to install the GNOME DE as well. In regards to this context, GNOME is a Red Hat software.
Quoting the Arch Wiki for Budgie:
It's recommended to install its optional dependencies also to get a more complete desktop environment. It's recommended also to install the gnome group, which contains applications required for the standard GNOME experience.
Also see :
A PC OS made by Google. Translation : The Gulag of PC users, built by...Google.
Pros:
Experience varies by hardware, since some Chromebooks lack touchscreen & Android apps are generally made for touch interface.
Cons:
Technically, Chromium OS (Chrome OS without Goolag) are open sourced. It's the Goolag additions that aren't, & said additions are what makes the OS tick.
This is a proprietary OS built by Google, & the default browser is Google Chrome.
Once the end of life date for your Chromebook comes along, you straight up don't get any more updates.
In addition to these, a common theme for Chromebooks is that they lack any kind of hardware upgradability. While there are Chromebooks with upgradeable RAM and/or SSD, they may already be obsoleted thanks to the expiry date. No hardware should have an expiry date.
There's no documentation to install official Chrome OS, or even Chromium OS for that matter. There is one that unofficially provides ChromeOS builds though, but who knows what issues they might add. 25/12/2020 update : The team providing unofficial ChromeOS builds got bought by Google.