Google Ditching Windows For OSX / Linux

[Robin]

Google is going to be changing all its staff computers (you can imagine thats a huge amount 20,000+) to either Mac's or PC's running Linux. They say this is because of security flaws with Windows and the hacks from China but some believe it might be due to Chrome OS coming out soon and they want to use recent events as an excuse to give it the boot.

Makes me wonder if we are going to see a day when Windows is the minority operating system and Apple rules the world, they have already become the largest tech company and I could see that in a decade or so Windows will probably be back down to where Apple are now in the computer market.

When a huge corporation makes a big decision like that it can convince other large companies and even consumers to make the switch and it could potentially start a chain reaction. I got Windows 7 when it came out and its been great so far but hearing this news has even made me think about whether I should switch over a some point in the near future. If an entire company doesnt feel same then why should I?

Windows just never seems to escape its buggy and virus ridden image even I am kinda sick of having to constantly download virus updates and patch Windows every other week! The irony would be though that if Mac's where massively popular all the hackers and programmers would target them.

So whats your take on this?

Source - http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1651624/google-kicks-microsoft-windows

Robin

 

[TheCracker]

I can't ever see Mac's overtaking Windows PC's as the norm. As much as i love OSX for it's simple user friendly operating system, Mac's are designed to be a 'premium' product. Think of them as a BMW. They may not be the fastest or most luxurious and they're certainly not the cheapest (or most expensive for that matter) but they have a certain integrity and are very much aspirational. Windows on the other hand caters for all segments of the market (think Toyota) so although there's some overlap, there's certainly room for both to exist and prosper.

 

[GTP_Deathwalker]

I can't ever see Mac's overtaking Windows PC's as the norm. As much as i love OSX for it's simple user friendly operating system, Mac's are designed to be a 'premium' product. Think of them as a BMW. They may not be the fastest or most luxurious and they're certainly not the cheapest (or most expensive for that matter) but they have a certain integrity and are very much aspirational. Windows on the other hand caters for all segments of the market (think Toyota) so although there's some overlap, there's certainly room for both to exist and prosper.

Great Metaphor

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

What I see is that people realize how awesome and virusless and unhackable Ubuntu is and then the use of Linux goes up!

 

[nick09]

The problem is that people create the viruses to get people's personal information, credit cards, and sometimes just for fun. The problem is that the more popular an OS get's the higher of a chance of more viruses that make use of the security holes in an OS. Though that's only my opinion and not a fact.

Though I do find Linux easier to use even though we don't have support from video game developers and lack of some software developers(like photoshop). I like it better because it's a whole lot simpler to use. I would not touch a Mac because I already got enough troubles with iTunes(which is the reason I use Songbird 1.2 with iPod addon to manage my iPod). I would rather have control of my own computer than to let someone else manipulate my PC with some "Puppet Strings" as you could say.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I don't see myself ever switching to Mac unless Windows becomes total garbage.

 

[Owen.C93]

What I see is that people realize how awesome and virusless and unhackable Ubuntu is and then the use of Linux goes up!

I can't wait for that day.

Mac will never be any good. Terribly restrictive, expensive, and not exactly practical. However linux (ubuntu) doesn't have the resources to create a package for use in a graphics department, and open office isn't up to scratch. Fine for people like me at home who dual boot, but impracticable in the work place.

 

[Northstar]

Not really that big of a deal, companies switch between different products on a constant basis. For instance when I was a senior in high school a few years ago the district was in the process of switching every computer in the district from Apple to HP computers. Now considering the district is the 2nd largest in the state there are easily at least 50,000-100,000+ computers being switched.

I also find it humorous how Google thinks simply changing the OS will prevent hackers.