Updated May 29, 2023
Differences Between OS X vs Linux
OS X is the latest version of the Mac operating system, full of many advanced features such as hardware interaction available in the Apple Mac Book, making it slightly different from Linux. Mac OS has a very appealing user interface and an easy-to-use working style. On the other hand, Linux, known for its command-line interface, is more famous for open source license that is very useful for the business world. Linux has a strong community and various OS flavors for different purposes. Linux is similar to UNIX but not exactly UNIX.
Head To Head Comparison Between OS X vs Linux (Infographics)
Below are the top 9 comparisons between OS X vs Linux:
Key Differences Between OS X vs Linux
Here are some of the key differences between OS X vs Linux:
1. Linux allows you to customize its code and make it according to your needs, while OS X code is not available for code customization.
2. When you use Linux, you are free from surveillance; on the other hand, OS X monitors your activities to some extent. So your secret will be safe with Linux.
3. In OS X, there is only one desktop environment for users, but you can choose various desktop interfaces provided by Linux, for example.
- KDE Plasma 5
- Cinnamon
- MATE
- Unity
- Xfce
- LXQt
- Pantheon
4. Linux OS is very stable as it is free from the bug (It doesn’t mean Linux is out of a bug, but some third-party tools generally cause the problem in Linux), while OS X gets a regular update to make it free from bugs and to make it stable.
5. Linux can read data from other OS file systems (It can read your hard drive if it was previously associated with OS X or other operating systems). At the same time, OS X cannot read a file from different file systems.
6. Update in Linux is real-time (it means you can parallel works while an update is going on), while in OS X, you need to deal with multiple steps with a reboot.
7. Linux doesn’t compel you to pay money when you use it, you are free to pay or not to pay, and it means Linux is free, but the same is not valid for OS X.
Comparison Table OS X vs Linux
Below is the list of points describing the comparison between OS X vs Linux:
| Basis For Comparison | OS X | Linux |
| Developer | Developed by Apple Inc. | Linus Torvalds (main developer) and developer community worldwide. |
| License | Need to purchase a license. | Open-source. |
| Device Compatibility | It supports only those devices developed by Apple Corporation but can be run on others by doing some hack. | Many devices support Linux and are compatible, from low-configuration devices to supercomputers. |
| Customization | Restricted and limited options are available. | Fully customizable with many options. You can make it according to your need if you know the Linux script. |
| Kernel | Based on UNIX. | Not exactly UNIX but UNIX Like. |
| Supported By | Apple Inc. | Developer Community worldwide. |
| User-friendly | Very much user-friendly. | Less user-friendly in comparison to OS X. |
| Cost | You need to pay a reasonable amount to use this OS. | Free to use, and a user is not bound to pay. |
| Uses | Only in those devices or applications which Apple Inc develops. | Believe me or not, you have used the devices that are running Linux. |
Conclusion
OS X and Linux are very hot topics today to discuss when the company or user wants to choose between OS X and Linux, but things are not in black and white. In a business, world cost is the factor that affects the choice since keeping costs low to maximize profit is the primary concern. Looking closely at OS X and Linux comparisons, you will find that OS X is designed for devices that Apple manufactures for Apple Inc. At the same time, Linux is useful for low-configuration and high-configuration devices like supercomputers and web servers.
One of the main advantages of Linux for the business world is the Open-source nature of Linux, which boost further experimentation and development for multipurpose work; for example, Android OS, which gained popularity for Mobile devices, is based on Linux Kernel. While OS X is proprietary to Apple Inc., whatever they create, you will have to be with it; there is no such on-demand they will create especially for you, but if they do, you will have to pay a very high price for your customization.
OS X is very popular among people who like entertainment and beautiful graphics. Linux is also full of pictures but is still behind OS X. Despite being very costly. OS X-supported devices are top-rated. The reasons are valid since Linux is a bit tricky, and even you need little technical knowledge to operate it to explore more since OS X is designed especially for a user who does not deal with technical things.
So who wins the debate? Well, we can say for non-technical users OS X is always a good choice. Still, suppose you are a little economical and have some technical expertise. In that case, you will choose Linux as it will be more user-friendly in the upcoming year and may beat OS X. Still, recently, OS X has been popular with the ordinary person while Linux is rocking among the business world and Techie.
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