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Average user needs their computer mainly as a device to run a web browser. Mac does that the most reliably. This seems objectively true to me.
If they're a nerd, then either Linux or Windows depending on what kind of nerd they are.
Windows for gaming.
I'll just fucking say it. Windows. Maybe Mac if you want, but that's gonna cost a fair bit more. Skip Linux. Everyone here circlejerks it like it's the best thing since 3.25" floppy drives, but it's a pain in the ass for the above average user, let alone someone who isn't tech savvy. The first time they encounter a problem and have to open the terminal they are going to shut off their computer and burn their house down. Unless your friend wants to learn Linux, then I'd advise you to steer them clear, regardless of what the crowd here has to say about it.
Windows is clean and simple. People here will say otherwise and they'll point to strawman arguments that don't have anything to do with the average user, like user telemetry or shutdown/restart on update. Windows wouldn't be dominant if it wasn't user friendly. If my grandfather can figure out how to install his bible verse software on his Windows PC, then your friend is going to be just fine.
Edit: echo "⬇️" | figlet
God. This is the only reasonable answer and it's way down here struggling to stay above 0 votes.
This thread says a lot about the state of Lemmy honestly. Well done guys.
Windows is the only choice because if someone does not already have a preference then they're not going to thank you for making them learn where the buttons are.
MacOS combines user friendliness, easy learning curve, seamless integration with other devices, and reliability.
It’s what I’d recommended to anyone who wants to use a computer without having to deal with the aggravation of dealing with a computer.
Depends on what they need it for.
Gaming, rendering, anything that needs lots of power and driver support - Windows
Music production, video editing, graphic design - MacOS
Programming, or people who want full control over their system - Linux
Don't listen to Apple fanboys. You absolutely do not need to spend $1000 to take notes and browse the internet.
Depends, what do they wanna do with it?
Otherwise just the OS they are most comfortable with.
If they are equally uncomfortable with all options, and have only the most rudimentary requirements, probably a tablet using the same OS as their phone.
If they genuinely wanted to take my opinion on the best choice, even if it meant learning, Linux. Probably something like Mint to start.
Sorry everyone, but I would go with either Windows or OSX, leaning toward OSX
Mint, even though it’s becoming a bit of a boring hyped up answer. It does work out of the box and it’s got a good balance between being familiar enough for newcomers and a full Linux distro.
Also, I imagine the community must be HUGE by now, meaning lots of help out there if needed.
Ask them what they want to do.
Gaming? Windows. SteamOS is great but there are too many games that require Windows.
Creatives? MacOS. Yeah, you can do all that (and more!) on Windows machines, but the creative space is largely all Mac all the time.
Office Productivity? Anything. Libre Office is cross platform.
Want to complain about how you don't fit in and it would be a better place if the world would just accommodate you? Linux.
If they are buying a new laptop and macbooks cost about the same what they'd pay for a PC laptop, the mac is a solid choice.
I want to say Linux. I use Linux (and macs occasionally). Linux is great. But macs are also great and work very well out of the box. So does Linux, if the hardware is fully supported and if you don't need any non-linux desktop software. Those are some ifs.
Mac or Linux, something like Mint, Zorin, or PopOS.
Mac for the better ingregration with more popular apps. Other than that, Linux, but test it out first since not all hardware works correctly. I had good luck with hardware on all that I have tried so far.
I use Linux Mint
Steam games work on Linux Mint without issues, or at least I was lucky enough not to have issues so far.
Linux alternatives to popular apps are very good (Libre Office, Inkscape, Gimp etc) and they don't try to shove AI down my throat or demand subscription.
I also would like to include that in terms of ease of use and interface familiarity Linux Mint looks quite a lot like Windows XP.
You say Mac or windows unless you have a death wish to be their eternal tech support
Linux - if it's on hardware that is sold specifically as fully compatible (like a Framework laptop or something like this)
Unless you are looking to learn nix, go with Windows or Apple.
Unless you made sure all the hardware works and you want to fuck around Linux ain't for normies despite what this forum is going to screech at you.
