Very few Chrome OS devices can even compete. There are some superpowered Macs as alternatives, but they tend to be far more expensive, and the breadth of hardware choice isn’t the same. That’s a significant consideration if you want to play graphically intense video games or work with high-powered software for media, video editing, or computer-aided design. Windows boasts compatibility with the most extensive array of hardware, thanks to extensive driver support.

Works with everything Riley Young / Digital Trends Moreover, the app library is now broader than in years past, and with the advent of Windows 11, the Microsoft Store is getting compatibility with Android apps while adding new support for a wider range of compatible software. Consumer, media, enterprise, gaming, it doesn’t matter - if you want the most comprehensive array of capabilities, Windows is the way to go. Windows users don’t get every new application that comes on the market, but even those they don’t receive initially tend to come to Windows eventually. That wide-open approach has let it conquer all competitors over the last few decades.īecause of its worldwide availability and longevity, Windows also boasts the biggest library of traditional software on the planet. Microsoft even sells Windows on its own, so consumers and businesses can manually load it onto their PC. There are several reasons why that is, but the most important is the depth and breadth of its supporting hardware and software.īecause Microsoft sells Windows licenses to more or less any PC manufacturer to load on desktops, tablets, the best laptops, and everything in between, you can get a Windows machine at almost any size, shape, or price. If you throw in laptops, Windows 10 controls a full 40% of the entire global market, making it by far the most popular OS in the world for those sorts of devices. Microsoft’s Windows holds around 77% of the global desktop market share, with just shy of two-thirds of that being made up by Windows 10. We’ve rounded up the most vital information on the latest from Windows, Mac, and Chrome to make the process a breeze.

If deciding on the best OS has been nothing but a headache, look no further. Verdict: Windows is the best all-rounder, at a price.

Windows 10 v mac os