Beneath its glossy surface, which takes design cues from ChromeOS and macOS, Windows 11 remains quite similar to Windows 10, which is in its final year of extended support. Windows 11 gets you nearly the same wide selection of computer hardware, software, and video games. Windows 11 requires a PC with a modern CPU and a security chip called a TPM, but it will still technically run on most PCs from the last decade. So far, it has embraced generative AI more than the other mainstream OSes, thanks to Copilot.

Windows 11 offers some new capabilities not available in Windows 10, including enhanced security, improved HDR display support, and Snap Layouts for organizing program windows on the desktop. It also includes an improved File Explorer with a tabbed interface, a Live Captions speech-to-text feature that works with any audio playing on the PC, and new video editing and sound recording apps. Windows 11's 2025 update was a small one, as Microsoft now focuses on continuously delivering new Windows 11 features throughout the year. The OS gained many new features in 2025, including Quick Machine recovery for resolving PC issues and a sidebar for accessing your phone's features alongside the Start menu. Copilot in Windows also got several new capabilities, including Copilot Vision, PC Search, and wake-word functionality.

A new class of machines, called Copilot+ PCs, run Windows 11 with extra AI features, such as Click to Do, Recall, and semantic file search. Copilot+ PCs feature on-board AI-processing NPUs, with hardware options from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm available.

Apple's desktop operating system is capable, polished, and reliable. It gets big updates every year, and Tahoe (version 26) is the latest. The biggest change it brings is the Liquid Glass interface update, which adds translucent touches to some elements. Apple is the sole option in terms of computer manufacturers, with options ranging from the $599 MacBook Neo and Mac mini to the popular MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops, and up to the $6,999 Mac Pro. All the latest Macs run Arm-based Apple silicon processors, with names like M4 and M5. These rival the top AMD and Intel chips in performance and require less power.

The macOS interface is as slick as it gets and more consistent than that of any of the other OS choices here. It also ties in well with iPhones and other Apple devices. Stage Manager gives you flexibility with your windows and how you multitask among them. Apple's OS is document-based rather than program-based, like Windows, so the operating system provides the same menu for every app at the top of the screen. Distinctions between Windows' taskbar and macOS's Dock (along with the lack of a Start menu) also require some adjustment. In general, Windows gives you more flexibility with desktop window arrangement, but macOS's Spotlight search is far more advanced than anything you get in Windows.

Macs come with a superb array of software and utilities, such as the excellent Apple Photos, iMovie, and GarageBand. You can get a bundle of pro-level apps via a Creator Studio subscription now, too. You also get Calendar, Mail, Maps, Notes, Pages, Podcasts, and Reminders. We can't forget the fine web browser Safari, either, which offers good synergy with its mobile counterparts as well as decent privacy features.

In terms of AI features, macOS is behind Windows. Apple Intelligence helps you generate cartoonish images and rewrite text, and you can now tap into more powerful AI tools like ChatGPT in some instances.

Gaming has long been something of a weak point for Macs. While the platform is improving, the vast majority of PC games are made for Windows. Valve's Steam has a Proton compatibility layer that can run Windows PC games on operating systems such as Linux-based SteamOS, Ubuntu, and other Linux distributions. However, Proton isn't available for macOS. As PCMag lead hardware analyst Brian Westover writes, "It hasn't reached the point where anyone would look at their gaming laptop and seriously consider ditching it for a similarly potent MacBook Pro." Apple includes good parental controls in macOS with Screen Time, and the system has a sterling reputation for security and stability.

Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distros, is completely free and based mostly on open-source software. It's not the product of a giant tech company that's out to lock you into its ecosystem, and you never need to sign in with an account. Some manufacturers offer PCs designed with Linux in mind, but you can install Ubuntu (from Canonical Ltd.) on nearly any Windows PC with an Intel or AMD CPU. You can even run the operating system from a live USB stick, averting the need to fully install it. Modern Chromebooks, Macs, and ARM-powered Windows laptops might require experimental builds of Ubuntu or other Linux distributions, so proceed with caution and consider running Linux in a virtual machine or turning to the Windows Subsystem for Linux instead.

The latest version of Ubuntu is Questing Quokka (version 25.10). It uses the Linux kernel version 6.17, which enables support for new hardware devices and delivers other low-level improvements. It also updates the interface to Gnome 49. Finally, 25.10 introduces a new Loupe image viewer and Ptyxis terminal emulator.

The OS includes the App Center app store, consolidated settings, expandable notifications, a file manager with search, and support for Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Active Directory). You can install apps in several ways, including by adding software repositories.

Ubuntu features a pleasing interface and a comprehensive selection of default applications, including browsers, email clients, media players, and office suites. Unlike macOS, it supports touch input (though not as fully as Windows). Linux systems are highly customizable, with many distros available. Those distros come in different flavors—Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Mate, and Xubuntu are all flavors of Ubuntu. They differ in interface designs, preconfigured apps, and settings.

While Ubuntu doesn't include any AI features in its default desktop environment, Linux is becoming the platform of choice for powerful local AI-focused workloads. For example, Nvidia's $3,999 DGX Spark mini PC ships with a customized version of Ubuntu.

A drawback is that Linux requires a bit more tech-savvy than the other choices here. If you're squeamish about ever seeing a command line, choose another OS. Another drawback is that support for hardware peripherals is behind that of Windows, macOS, and even ChromeOS. Additionally, you can't use major desktop apps, such as Microsoft 365 and Photoshop, though web versions of such programs are increasingly available and capable. Linux supports most major browsers, including Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

PC gaming is a surprisingly bright spot on Linux these days, too. You can install the Linux version of Steam and play many Windows PC games thanks to Valve's Proton compatibility layer. However, Windows 11 still delivers the best compatibility with the widest range of PC games.

Ubuntu strives to be as secure and stable as possible. That's undoubtedly why Linux powers so many servers, which require a high level of uptime. Ubuntu includes built-in security protections, and Canonical provides regular security patches and updates. Beyond Ubuntu, other Linux distributions are worth a look, including Linux Mint.

Google's desktop operating system initially provided a web browser and little else. The idea was for it to be an entirely cloud-powered system that ran only web apps and used Google Drive to store all your data. ChromeOS has moved beyond that now, with Android apps from the Google Play Store being its main source of software. It offers true desktop features like file folders for local files, Gemini AI features, and tight integration with Android phones.

A variety of inexpensive Chromebook laptops and Chromeboxes (the desktop version) run ChromeOS. You might still be able to find some all-in-one Chromebase devices, but most manufacturers are promoting Chromebook Plus models—laptops with sufficient CPU power, storage, and screen resolutions to run more demanding software. Chromebook Plus computers can utilize unique Google technology, such as Magic Eraser (of Pixel commercial fame), and add special effects to Google Meet video calls. Additionally, they can handle an impressive web version of Photoshop. The newest type of Chromebooks includes an NPU for AI processing (see below).

The operating system's interface is clear and minimal. You get a shelf that's similar to Windows' taskbar, and the program launcher and settings work well. Google continues to add conveniences, such as Android phone tethering, picture-in-picture video, improved offline functionality, and multiple virtual desktops. Its clever Tote feature keeps recent documents and images at the ready. The OS supports both touch and stylus input, and works with many printer models (although not as many as macOS and Windows).

Google recently added more generative AI features to ChromeOS, such as a Gemini app, live transcriptions with translation, the ability to summarize text, and to suggest actions for text on-screen, even if the text is in an image, with the Capture Text feature. The OS's Welcome Recap can get you quickly back to your tasks whenever you resume using the computer after a break.

ChromeOS has two distinct app stores, the Chrome Web Store and Google Play, which have some of the same entries. Some Android apps behave inconsistently on Chrome, but the situation is improving, and Google seems keen on making Google Play the main place you get apps. Google is working on a new operating system called Aluminium, which will combine Android and ChromeOS. However, it appears that existing Chromebook devices might continue running ChromeOS. Google hasn't revealed all the details about Aluminium yet. You won't find advanced applications on ChromeOS, such as pro-level media editing software tools, which generally target macOS and Windows. Google has, however, developed a comprehensive suite of apps and services for the education market.

If you're a student or someone who seeks simplicity, ChromeOS might be right for you. If you want to play the latest AAA video games, edit videos and photos with professional-grade software, or run advanced hardware like VR headsets or 3D printers, choose another OS.