What Is The Best OS For Gaming?

So what’s actually the best operating system for gaming purposes? Is it Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Ubuntu or something else entirely?

Windows is the best gaming operating system for gaming not only because it has the widest selection of games but also because said games mostly perform better than on Linux or macOS.

Variety is one of the biggest strengths of PC gaming.

Apart from the numerous types of different hardware components, users also have the opportunity to choose which operating system suits them best. Today, there are three main choices: Windows, Linux and macOS.

These all serve different audiences and have their own respective advantages and disadvantages. But we will set those aside and focus on one specific question: which of these three is the best operating system for gaming?

In this guide, we will present a brief overview of each OS and discuss all the pros and cons of selecting one as your gaming OS.

Table of Contents Show

Overview

In this section, we will briefly go over the history of each of the three operating systems, as well as look at their basic characteristics.

Windows

Microsoft Windows is, without a doubt, the most widespread and popular operating system. When Microsoft first released Windows 3.0 in 1990, it was considered revolutionary because of how it simplified the user interface and brought computers closer to the mainstream public.

Over the years, Windows had seen numerous subsequent incarnations: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, and other minor variations. It is only during the era of the universally-loved Windows XP that the PC gaming scene boomed. XP was followed by a controversial and bug-ridden Windows Vista which was quickly replaced by a much more refined Windows 7.

After that came Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, another controversial release criticized for forcing a tablet-oriented UI on desktop PCs.

Today, we have the most advanced and most reliable version of Windows yet: Windows 10. This latest version of Windows also marks a big change in Microsoft’s approach to their flagship OS – rather than releasing a brand new Windows version every few years, the company has decided to build and improve upon Windows 10 with numerous free updates.

Linux

Linux is unusual in that it doesn’t denote a single operating system but rather a wide range of different operating systems, all of which are based on the open-source Linux kernel. It was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds with the idea of offering people a free and flexible OS.

Arguably, the most widely known OS based on the Linux kernel is Google’s AndroidOS, although it is used only on smartphones and tablets. On PCs, the most popular are the likes of Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, openSUSE, Arch Linux, Fedora, Valve’s SteamOS, and many more, all of which are entirely free and built upon by various developers.

Ultimately, however, Linux is aimed more towards professional users and enthusiasts due to its powerful features, flexibility, and lower hardware requirements as compared to Windows. That said, the interface could seldom be called “user-friendly” and Linux-compatible software is not exactly in high supply.

macOS

While its roots go all the way back to 1984, macOS as we know it today was only released in 2001. It is second only to Windows in terms of popularity, and it differs mainly in that it is only found on Apple’s iMac and MacBook computers.

Apple likes keeping their technology under tight lock and key, something that gives this OS several advantages and disadvantages. First and foremost, macOS is optimized to work with Apple hardware, making it extremely efficient. On top of that, it is engineered to be as close to perfection as possible, leading to a highly secure, user-friendly operating system, which is the favorite of many users, casual and professional alike.

An obvious downside to macOS is relevant to its primary advantage — the hardware. In terms of raw power, most Apple computers are sorely lacking, relying on the software for high performance instead. This makes most users skeptical of Apple’s high prices.

Gaming

In this section, we will be looking at how each OS fares when it comes to various aspects of gaming.

Performance

In terms of in-game performance, Windows and Linux tend to be on relatively even ground, with minor framerate increases for one or the other based on the game in question. Furthermore, while every supported version of Windows maintains consistent framerates, different distributions of Linux can offer completely different performance.

The best-performing Linux distribution in this regard is hard to pinpoint, but SteamOS and Ubuntu appear to have the lead. Nonetheless, Windows is far more consistent and reliable, offering superior performance most of the time.

macOS is certainly the worst-performing of the three. That isn’t so much because of the operating system itself but rather the hardware limitations.

As you’re likely aware, Apple designs its computers to be compact and non-customizable, leaving little room for burly GPUs and user modification. In the end, the only way to get good performance on a Mac is with an external GPU, but that would be quite an investment on top of the already high price tags attached to Apple’s computers.

Game Selection

There is no doubt that the vast majority of PC games are released primarily for Windows, as it is the most popular gaming OS today. Whenever someone talks about “PC games,” they almost definitely mean “Windows games.”

The selection of games for Linux and macOS is much more limited. True, Linux support has been rising steadily over the past few years — if we’re going by Steam, over 4000 games support Linux at the moment. But keep in mind that the number of Windows-supported games is well over 20.000. As for Mac, there are currently around 7000 Steam games supporting it.

Online Platforms

Retail DVD and Blu-ray disks are constantly being pushed back by the more convenient online game stores. Furthermore, the fact that hardware manufacturers are dropping optical drives from their pre-made computers and laptops is not helping the decline of the disc.

The most popular platform is definitely Valve’s Steam, and most third-party game stores sell games that activate solely on Steam. As mentioned above, Valve offers support for all of these three operating systems.

Alternatives to Steam are:

• Origin – EA’s platform that sells only EA games. It officially supports Windows and macOS. It can be installed on Linux, but does not perform all that well.
• net – Blizzard’s platform that sells only Blizzard games. Once again, it officially supports only Windows and macOS.
• Microsoft Store – Known up until recently as “Windows Store,” this platform sells both Microsoft games and those released by other companies. It is only available on Windows.
• GoG – There is no big company trying to get its own platform outside Steam behind this platform. Standing for Good Old Games, GoG rather sells old classics and only a selection of the best newer games. Currently, the client is available on Windows and macOS, but the team is working on bringing it to Linux in the near future as well.

Conclusion

All things considered, one thing is certain – Windows is the best OS for gaming, at least for the time being. This is solely because it is the indisputable winner when it comes to how many games are available on it. Linux and Mac simply cannot compete in that regard.

For Linux-users, it might be a better idea to simply install Windows on their computer, too, if only for the purpose of gaming. As for Mac, we simply cannot recommend it as an operating system for gamers. It may be ahead of Linux when it comes to the number of supported games, but it would require a hefty investment in an external GPU to run any of the more demanding games.

To make sure everything is clear, below you can find a brief overview of the overall advantages and disadvantages of these operating systems.

Which version of Windows operating system am I running?

Find operating system info in Windows 10

To find out which version of Windows your device is running, press the Windows logo key + R, type winver in the Open box, and then select OK.

Here’s how to learn more:

Select the Start button > Settings > System > About .

Under Device specifications > System type, see if you’re running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

Under Windows specifications, check which edition and version of Windows your device is running.

Related links

If you’re having a problem with activation, see Activate in Windows 10.

If you forgot the password you use to sign in to Windows devices or email, see How to reset your Microsoft password.

For info about updating Windows, see Windows Update: FAQ.

Find operating system info in Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1

To find out which version of Windows your device is running, press the Windows logo key + R, type winver in the Open box, and then select OK.

If your device is running Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, here’s how to learn more:

If you’re using a touch device, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. Continue to step 3.

If you’re using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.

Select PC and devices > PC info.

Under Windows you’ll see which edition and version of Windows your device is running.

Under PC > System type you’ll see if you’re running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

Related links

If you’re having a problem with activation, see Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1

If you forgot the password you use to sign in to Windows devices or email, see How to reset your Microsoft password.

For info about updating Windows, see Windows Update: FAQ.

Find operating system info in Windows 7

Select the Start button, type Computer in the search box, right-click on Computer, and then select Properties.

Under Windows edition, you’ll see the version and edition of Windows that your device is running.

Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020

We recommend you move to a Windows 10 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

Related links

If you’re having a problem with activation, see Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

If you forgot the password you use to sign in to Windows devices or email, see How to reset your Microsoft password.

For info about updating Windows, see Windows Update: FAQ.

Opera 74.0.3911.232 Portable by JolyAnderson

Opera 74.0.3911.232 Portable by JolyAnderson

Opera – веб-браузер, разрабатываемый компанией Opera Software, особенностью которого является поддержка встроенного VPN-клиента, блокировщика рекламы, возможность менять внешний вид, кастомизировать вкладку быстрого доступа и многое другое.
Вашему вниманию предоставляется Portable версия Opera.

Системные требования:
Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 (x86/x64)

Торрент Opera 74.0.3911.232 Portable by JolyAnderson подробно:
Что нового:
• История версий Opera >>>.
• Браузер обновлён до версии 74.0.3911.232.

Преимущества:
• Не оставляет следов.
• Не мусорит кэшем и данными на системном диске даже временно, благодаря авторскому методу сборки. Все ваши данные лежат в одном каталоге.
• Не конфликтует с настройками установочной версии.
• Выпилен модуль автообновления.
• Без проблем переносится на другую систему.
• Изначально выпилен Яндекс, главный поиск Google.
• Сразу включён блокировщик рекламы, трекинга.
• Пропущены все сообщения по типу: «Не хотите ли порекомендовать браузер?».
• Отключены все рекламные уведомления.
• Сразу установлена тёмная тема и фон Экспресс-панели.

Предостережения:
• Не пытайтесь сделать Opera браузером по умолчанию.
• Не нужно через Portable Opera открывать какие-то файлы.
• Не запускайте установочную и Portable версии одновременно. Гарантированно конфликт настроек браузера.
Это Portable по принципу, открыл, попользовался и никаких следов.
Функционал браузера работает в полном объёме.

Как обновить:
• Удаляете у себя папку App и Portable Opera.exe.
• Распаковываете новую Opera в тот каталог, в котором уже находится папка Portable Opera.

Скриншоты Opera 74.0.3911.232 Portable by JolyAnderson торрент:

Computer Basics —

Understanding Operating Systems

Computer Basics: Understanding Operating Systems

Lesson 8: Understanding Operating Systems

What is an operating system?

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer’s memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer’s language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.

Watch the video below to learn more about operating systems.

Looking for the old version of this video? You can still view it here.

The operating system’s job

Your computer’s operating system (OS) manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are several different computer programs running at the same time, and they all need to access your computer’s central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this to make sure each program gets what it needs.

Types of operating systems

Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any computer you buy. Most people use the operating system that comes with their computer, but it’s possible to upgrade or even change operating systems. The three most common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). A GUI lets you use your mouse to click icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly displayed on the screen using a combination of graphics and text.

Each operating system’s GUI has a different look and feel, so if you switch to a different operating system it may seem unfamiliar at first. However, modern operating systems are designed to be easy to use, and most of the basic principles are the same.

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There have been many different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 10 (released in 2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes pre-loaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.

Check out our tutorials on Windows Basics and specific Windows versions for more information.

macOS

macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes preloaded on all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave (released in 2018), High Sierra (2017), and Sierra (2016).

According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less than 10% of global operating systems—much lower than the percentage of Windows users (more than 80%). One reason for this is that Apple computers tend to be more expensive. However, many people do prefer the look and feel of macOS over Windows.

Check out our macOS Basics tutorial for more information.

Linux

Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating systems, which means they can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary software like Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it. The advantages of Linux are that it is free, and there are many different distributions—or versions—you can choose from.

According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2% of global operating systems. However, most servers run Linux because it’s relatively easy to customize.

To learn more about different distributions of Linux, visit the Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora websites, or refer to our Linux Resources. For a more comprehensive list, you can visit MakeUseOf’s list of The Best Linux Distributions.

Operating systems for mobile devices

The operating systems we’ve been talking about so far were designed to run on desktop and laptop computers. Mobile devices such as phones, tablet computers, and MP3 players are different from desktop and laptop computers, so they run operating systems that are designed specifically for mobile devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include Apple iOS and Google Android . In the screenshot below, you can see iOS running on an iPad.

Operating systems for mobile devices generally aren’t as fully featured as those made for desktop and laptop computers, and they aren’t able to run all of the same software. However, you can still do a lot of things with them, like watch movies, browse the Web, manage your calendar, and play games.

To learn more about mobile operating systems, check out our Mobile Devices tutorials.