Mac vs. Windows vs. Linux for Data Science

Data science involves various processes that help companies make informed decisions through interpreting, modelling, and deploying data mining tools. Not only does data science help companies visualize data, but it also helps them understand their business operations. 

As a result, businesses can redefine their objectives and build better strategies and roadmaps to improve the bottom line. The business sector is changing, thanks to advanced data science tools, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. 

Data science supports AI, machine learning, and other technologies to develop sophisticated solutions to solve problems by linking data for future use. So, what is the best operating system for using data science tools? Is it Mac, Windows, or Linux? Let us answer the question. Read on! 

Mac

There are numerous reasons why data scientists, software engineers, and programmers prefer Mac over other operating systems. The OS installed on the Mac machine offers better Wi-Fi capabilities and user-friendly OS software that align well with a wide range of data science applications. 

For instance, data scientists use programs like Python, Anaconda, Tableau, etc. The good news is that all these programs are highly compatible with Mac, leading to smooth and efficient operations. That’s the reason these programming languages focus on more alignment with Mac OS than other operating systems. 

Windows 

Microsoft created Windows to make the platform more user-friendly, making it the simplest OS for users. That’s why Windows is the best OS for commoners, including business professionals, teachers, households, children, etc. Unfortunately, Microsoft Windows did not cater a lot to the programming and developers’ community. 

However, this does not mean that you can’t use Windows for data science. Although you can run R and Python programs on Windows, you will experience compatibility and speed issues. So, experts don’t recommend Windows for using data science tools and apps. 

Linux 

Linux is the best operating system because it is fast, reliable, and optimal for many data science tools. Research shows that 90% of the fastest supercomputers worldwide run on Linux. On the other hand, only 1% of supercomputers run on Windows. So, this makes Linux the most powerful operating system for data scientists. 

In addition, Linux has more computing power than Mac and Microsoft Windows, offering additional hardware and software support. As a data scientist, you can run, process, and analyze a large volume of data facing speed and compatibility issues. 

Moreover, Linux offers a wide range of software choices, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your needs. That way, you can run a specific task accurately, efficiently, and reliably. On the other hand, many OS systems do not offer such capabilities. 

Final Words 

Each operating system has its own pros and cons when it comes to data science. Unlike Mac and Windows, Linux is considered the best operating system for data scientists, allowing them to run numerous programs, applications, etc., in a compatible environment. 

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