PC OS List

May not be updated, cannot test other PC OS for now

Introduction

Just a nutshelled list of the PC operating systems I've used.

Sartox & SYXZSZX also has one of these, you can see theirs' here:

• Sartox
• SYXZSZX

Windows (mostly Windows 10)

The default OS any computer & laptop users will encounter & use, unless they're using Linux.

Pros:

• Prebuilt in most PC
When you're buying a PC / laptop, the 1st thing that'll usually be installed there is Windows (unless you're getting one from System76 / Purism / any other PC/laptop with Linux preinstalled by manufacturer / seller).


• Most stuff, such as apps & games, just works
This doesn't count the Visual C++ redists required as a dependency for the programs.


• Consistent usage experience
If you're used to Windows on a PC, you're guaranteed to have no problems with others' Windows-infested PC. This doesn't factor in UI mods such as OpenShell.


• Rolling release
One similarity Windows has with some Linux distros (particularly Arch-based ones) is that once installed, updates will keep on coming. However, in terms of controlling updates, this is where the similarities end. Windows' auto update can't be disabled at all, whereas Manjaro (the only distro I know to implement auto-updates) can be disabled simply by entering Pamac / Software manager & disabling the automatic updates option.

Cons:

• Forced auto updates, can't be disabled
Imagine this scenario : You're playing some PUBG on PC. There's only 2 people left : You & the enemy. As you're about to finish off the enemy.... your computer suddenly restarts, all because it had to install an update.
While wuauserv, BITS, & UsoSvc, can be forcefully disabled with tools like ExecTI (to open taskschd.msc & services.msc), they will somehow enable themselves after some time. The only way to ever fully disable it is to delete all update components.
Here's why I think auto-updates, especially forced ones are bad:


• Waste internet bandwith without consent
• Remove and/or limit user control
• Introduce unwanted features, which could also be backdoors for the spies
• Remove potentially necessary features, including the ones you think are important.
• In Windows' case, updates has a history of breaking stuff.
• For even more details / another take of this, look up DigDeeper's "What's wrong with auto updates?" list.
• Related to the forced auto updates flaw above, Microsoft also had a history of shoving Windows 10 down the throats of Win7 & Win8 users via Windows Update.
• Proprietary / No source code available



• UI inconsistency
For example, Control Panel & Settings.
This flaw is mild compared to Linux's though.


• Bloatware

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.

• Feature paywall
Additional features such as gpedit is blocked unless you spring up some cash for a Windows 10 'Pro' / 'Enterprise' license.


• Privacy concerns

There's so much privacy issues with Windows that it had to be listed down.

• Telemetry enabled by default, no opt-out

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).

• Made by Microsoft.

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".

• Windows Update



• Security concerns

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?

• Concerns of taking over Linux

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.

• Inbuilt antivirus (Microsoft/Windows Defender)
Here are some of the malicious things Microsoft's antivirus do:


• Cannot be removed / permanently disabled (re-enables itself on boot, even if disabled with gpedit)
• Detects hosts file as a malware if Microsoft telemetry is blocked
• Removes things Microsoft considers a "threat", such as torrent clients (archive.org)

Also see :

• IT Vision's take on Windows' flaws

Windows 10 AME

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.

Link to AME

Pros:

• Open sourced scripts

Cons:

• Windows Update is removed

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.

• Network connectivity issues

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).

• Requires some knowledge on Linux & comfort of using the command line, as well as live booting Ubuntu (or any Debian-based distros, no word on Arch/Gentoo/RedHat).

This applies if you're using the scripts.

ReviOS

Another project similar to Ameliorated above, but with the added focus of responsiveness & performance (in short, gaming).

Pros:

• In addition to "focus on privacy", they also focused on gaming. More on the "focus on privacy" on the Cons.

Cons:

• Tight Google reliance for the site
The site is integrated with Go-ogle APIs, & has a Go-ogle redirect on every external site they link.


• Concerns over "focus of privacy"
Considering the Google reliance above, I cannot really take their claims regarding privacy seriously.

Mac OS

Disclaimer : I don't have much to say here since I haven't actually used MacOS.

Apple's proprietary operating system, preinstalled only on Mac "computers".

Pros:

• Supported for Android development

Requires Xcode & adb command tools.

Cons:

• Proprietary / No source code available
• Privacy concerns

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.

• California landmark names tacked on

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)?

• No official way to install MacOS on any other PC
• Any spyware Apple injects in each update, you're never really going to avoid it.

GNU/Linux

Distro list

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:

• Libre software

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:

• Plethora of choices based on stuff such as philosophies, features, etc.

The sheer amount of choice will confuse a new user.

• General inconsistencies

This issue is linked to the one above it.

An example I can offer is Linux's touch support, such as:

• On Chromium-based browsers (used only vanilla Chromium & Ungoogled-Chromium), I can scroll with a single finger on a touchscreen. On the other hand, I'm selecting words on Pale Moon & Firefox.
• Gnome & Budgie are the only DEs that do not show the cursor when using the touch screen.



• Reliant on the big corpos

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

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 :

• DigDeeper's take on Linux' flaws
• IT Vision's take on Linux' flaws

ChromeOS

Disclaimer : I don't have much to say here since I haven't actually used any ChromeOS PCs.

A PC OS made by Google. Translation : The Gulag of PC users, built by...Google.

Pros:

• Compatible with Android apps

Experience varies by hardware, since some Chromebooks lack touchscreen & Android apps are generally made for touch interface.

Cons:

• Proprietary / No source code available

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.

• Privacy concerns

This is a proprietary OS built by Google, & the default browser is Google Chrome.

• Planned Obsolescence

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.

• Questionable installability

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.

Back to top

Main Page