I’m using MacOS, Windows and Linux pretty much on a daily basis for different parts of my computing needs. This post lists some of the very high level likes and dislikes of each platform relative to my own use. — I’m not trying to convert anyone to switch away from their chosen platform(s).
Each platform has its advantages and disadvantages. But even those are relative to your own, very personal use-case and past experience, including potential emotional baggage from that. All of those are perfectly valid to run your own life. But they don’t invalidate other people’s priorities and experiences.
I have considerable empathy with anyone who is currently married to their platform of choice, because of one or more negative experiences with the other. – I have horror stories to tell about every platform I’ve ever used. The logical conclusion might be to not use anything anymore. But I’m not ready for living off the grid, so my world keeps being woefully imperfect. 🙂
My current setup
My current daily drivers are:
- Win10 (still)
- music making
- video making
- Linux (RH and Debian derivatives)
- server stuff
- maker stuff
- MacOS and iOS
- everything else
Likes and Dislikes
Windows
- like:
- run older stuff (software and hardware) on a current OS – many ancient 32bit midi apps still work well
- custom build and upgrade my own computer
- dislike:
- Win 11 is actively user/privacy hostile
- Win 11 doesn’t work for older – otherwise perfectly fine – computers
- extra work to keep secure and private
- Low latency audio and multi-client MIDI have been a constant battle (maybe Win 11 will get it right in 2026, but remains to be seen)
- forced upgrades sometimes breaking things
- gaming drivers breaking audio apps
Linux
- like:
- free or low cost
- generally solid for server stuff (though not perfect)
- freedom
- dislike:
- limited and/or tricky hardware support
- limited music software availability
- extra work for full desktop computing experience, including music making
- high balkanization
MacOS and iOS
- like:
- privacy
- smoothest multi-device integration
- relatively polished (though not perfect)
- free or inexpensive Apple software
- walled garden keeps more crap out (but not everything)
- M1, M2, … CPU and surrounding architecture
- Apple trackpads
- dislike:
- lack of backward compatibility
- disproportionately expensive for more powerful hardware
- walled garden prevents me from doing some stuff I would like
- Liquid Glass UI and icons on every menu item – wtf?
- Apple mice (I always use 3rd party mice)
- some recent GUI decisions for ’26 versions of OS
If I could only have one platform,
I’d have to change quite a few of my current habits
and get used to living with more crap.
Credits:
Images are used under CC-BY licenses:
Apple by Selma Broeder
Penguin by Christopher Michel
Window by Elton Harding