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I don't have a favorite. Every OS has its pros and cons, so it's "right to for the right job" situation for me.
I run Windows 10/11 on my desktops because some piece of software requires it (trust me, I've looked at alternatives.) unRAID on one server, and Ubuntu on a couple of other servers. They all have quirks that I absolutely hate, but there's no such thing as perfect operating system.
What? No love for ElementaryOS? It runs really well on my Pinebook Pro.
I use Debian 12. I very recently switched to it from windows after using windows for about 10 years or more.
What do I like about Debian when compared to Windows?
I really enjoy using the terminal. Still a beginner. Yes learning the commands is tough but sometimes I just prefer using the terminal instead of using a gui.
Everything else about debian is also great.
I've always used Windows as my main OS, but I have experience with Macs as school computers, and now I'm exploring Linux. I gotta say Linux is probably my favorite. It's so configurable and my workflow is so smooth now that when I try and use my Windows laptop instead I find myself trying to use keybinds from my WM lol. I miss my terminal! WSL is just not the same. I have to have Windows on my school laptop, and I still have it on my PC. My hope is that I can switch my PC to Linux when Win10 loses support. Hopefully Nvidia will play nice. But I do prefer Windows over Mac simply cause I've used it longer. I've only ever used Macs on a surface level, never had my own or was able to tweak settings and such. So idk I might feel differently if I had one. But I'm definitely liking Linux a lot more cause of the customization and no update badgering lol
Honestly, I'd say don't bother waiting for Windows 10 EOL and just go for a Linux install on your PC whenever you feel comfortable with it! You can always dual boot also for those weird cases that you absolutely need to do something in Windows
I want to but my dad said "no more Linux projects" Idk I told him I wanted to do it with a different drive so I would still have a windows install but he wants me to wait ig
Shit man. I wish my kid wanted to tinker with Linux. He writes code and is a total nerd, but he has NONE of that Linux curiosity.
I have a dual boot and if you don't hold f11 on boot, the only clue that Linux is on there would be the strangely formatted volume in device manager.
Being a Linux wiz is a massive boon to career opportunities as the world is moving to containers like docker.
I'd be willing to help dig up persuasive material so you can prove to your dad that being patient with you on this will pay off.
Android, because between this one, Linux, and Windows:
it's the one I need to care less about the OS. The OS (or how does swirling transition animations look better in your beloved distro GUI) should be just an invisible, unobtrusive tool to run your apps, not something that matters or requires babysitting nor tinkering.
it's the one running the apps I use the most, FOR ME, as opposed of for work
manjaro kde + bismuth for tiling
Linux and Windows.
Windows for "just works" functionality and software compatibility
Linux for light weight, customization, and overall support on hardware (ie there is some distro that will run on just about any set of hardware)
If you did not recommend arch, you basically recommended poop on a stick
MacOS for the trackpad gesture functionality.
I prefer Carbon6 for my daily work. I'm considering going to Silicon, but it's just not user tested yet and I can't risk the disruption to my work flow.
My favorite and the longest Iβve used was Antergos until they stopped maintaining it. At the time, it was the most popular Arch-with-an-installer distro. Before that, I was a fan of Peppermint OS simply because it was a beautiful looking distro. Iβm currently running Mint because I donβt have time to maintain an OS and I just want something that works. Itβs pretty good Iβd say.
So far I only ever used Windows and Linux Mint, but I'm happy with the latter so I guess I'll stay with it for a while.
windows
because it was already installed
I've been a loyal System/MacOS/OS X/macOS user since System 6. From the first time I sat down at a Mac, it's the only OS family that allows me to forget that I'm using a computer and just do things.
Architecturally the Classic MacOS was a hacked-together mess (though I was pretty good about managing my extensions, and I put together some pretty impressive uptime with my old Power Macs), but the UI was incredibly fast and responsive. Even on my M2 Pro Mini I don't believe I can navigate my filesystem as quickly or as easily as I could on my OG iMac running 9.2. And I'd still love to visit an alternate universe where macOS evolved from the Server 1.0 UI rather than the Aqua UI.
OS X/macOS feels a little more cumbersome, a little less personal. I don't always love all the new features Apple pushes in its new releases. (IDEK with the new Settings menu.) And I really didn't love the hoops I had to jump through to get PHP running on my Mini (I could have gone with an all-Homebrew setup, but I wanted to keep things relatively uncomplicated). The last version of macOS I unabashedly loved was 10.14 Mojave. But in the end, I appreciate all the things that bringing Unix to the Mac allows me to do, and there's enough of the old MacOS DNA that I'm still mostly able to sit down, forget I'm using a computer, and just get my work done. That's what I look for in an OS.