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--- notes:distro_comparisons [2023/10/28 07:24] – Sean Rhone
+++ notes:distro_comparisons [2024/01/02 14:06] (current) – removed Sean Rhone
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-====== Notes ======
-  * The following list contains various operating systems and my opinions
-  * These are my experiences below; YMMV
-  * Any other distro or OS not mentioned was either not tested, or isn't worth using
-====== Fedora Workstation ======
-===== Good =====
-  * Secure (SELinux, up-to-date packages)
-  * GNOME first-class
-  * Allows XFS and F2FS root partitions
-===== Bad =====
-  * SELinux is annoying on servers
-  * RPM Fusion borders on being required and is of questionable quality with the Mesa HW-accel package ordeal
-  * Were initially willing to hold up a major release (F39) because of (imo) minor issues with Raspberry Pi, as if there's that many people relying on that and using Fedora vs x86
-  * First to deprecate Xorg distro-side even though it still works the best in 2023; everyone forcing Wayland is doing it against the user experience
-===== Conclusions =====
-  * RPM Fusion's handling of the va/vdpau freeworld packages was too messy, doesn't inspire confidence, and I ideally would like to not need a 3rd-party repo altogether
-====== openSUSE Tumbleweed ======
-===== Good =====
-  * Rolling
-  * GNOME first-class
-  * Installer (allows for root/boot XFS filesystem)
-  * AppArmor isn't annoying
-  * Various Wine packages (standard, staging, standard with nine, staging with nine)
-  * Yast is nice for configuring the network on servers
-  * LiveUSBs automatically have persistence even when ''dd'''d directly to flash drives
-===== Bad =====
-  * Had an outstanding php8 AppArmor issue with bug report that //really// should have been solved by now (this was still a thing in 2023)
-===== Conclusions =====
-  * Decent
-====== Ubuntu ======
-===== Good =====
-  * Good package selection
-  * Good 3rd-party app support
-  * Plenty of repos
-  * Reputable bleeding-edge graphics stack available (oibaf or padokaPPA)
-  * Various 3rd-party kernel options available (xanmod, liquorix, official mainline packages)
-  * Minimal Install option
-  * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Unicode_chart_Egyptian_Hieroglyphs|Loads theses fonts fine]] (any disto that doesn't is overlooking the user experience)
-===== Bad =====
-  * 2023/10/28: Randomly hard-froze (REISUB didn't work); haven't had a distro hard-freeze in years but this could be because of Liquorix kernel to be fair
-===== Conclusions =====
-  * Probably the best choice for desktop Linux today!
-====== macOS ======
-===== Good =====
-  * Message sync between iPhone and macOS
-  * 30-bit color at 4K@60Hz?
-  * UI scaling (it somehow scales a lower res to a higher res while maintaining crisp text, and being compatible with programs not expecting this)
-  * Better performance with windowed applications with eGPU on internal screen
-  * Screen recording built-in
-===== Bad =====
-  * eGPU needs 3rd-party software on "unsupported" Macs (automate-eGPU)
-  * Creating custom resolutions needs 3rd-party program (SwitchResX, which is paid)
-  * Some games being bundled in Crossover/Wine instead of native
-  * Some games have significantly lower performance (<del>FFXIV</del>, GW2, both RS and OSRS)
-  * No built-in or free hardware in-depth diagnostics (temp monitor, CPU and/or GPU frequency)
-===== Conclusions =====
-  * Usable, but not ideal for gaming or hardware diagnostics in most cases
-====== Windows ======
-===== Good =====
-  * Memory testing programs (notable for Ryzen)
-  * Best VR support for Oculus headsets (ALVR is pretty good though on Linux with a 6600XT)
-===== Bad =====
-  * Too-cryptic (power-user registry options require research, update notes are vague)
-  * 3rd-party software needs to be manually updated (winget is pretty decent though)
-  * :!: Windows Update is a **nightmare** to deal with and drivers on a Dell Latitude 5591 in 2023 ((like 5 GPU extension drivers, enforced downgrade of the GPU driver, hard-locks presumably for some reason when used with an OC'd Acer S271HL likely due to no extension block in CRU because of either CRU or Intel not supporting it, had Alps doing constant mouse polling))
-  * Hotspot USB drivers for an iPhone will only download from WU **with an internet connection**; full Apple iTunes doesn't bundle it for some reason?
-  * The song-and-dance to get Windows installed is timely (install without internet, SSU/CU, drivers, basic config, internet connect for WU, programs/games), and is dumb that the OS wants to be inefficient (outdated WU drivers with no option to block them; they're forced alongside the SSU/CUs) if left with an internet connection, even on Pro/Enterprise/LTSC editions
-  * Some Intel drivers (SST, Serial IO) require trial-and-error to get right, and good luck with Windows Update
-  * Consistently scores lower than Linux in Geekbench with a Ryzen 2700X, even with the newest 2004/20H1/19041 release and scheduler improvements
-  * Configuration decisions are too one-sided; it's either disable all security and run with maximum game performance, or to allow full-control with whatever Microsoft dictates. WU drivers will present a good-enough experience for general-use
-===== Conclusions =====
-  * It provides a better gaming experience overall, but isn't ideal for general-use
-====== Windows 11 ======
-===== Good =====
-  * Latest-and-greatest
-===== Bad =====
-  * Can't hide clock in Taskbar
-  * Oculus in early 2023 still had inconsistent performance with Blade & Sorcery running at like 50 FPS
-  * Insider editions are too slow real-world even on NVMe
-===== Conclusions =====
-  * Non-insider may be viable for a general Windows install
-  * 10 LTSC 21H2 or 22H2 de-blobbed and tweaked to the ground offers a better gaming experience and is the only reason to be using Windows