Sure thing windows Operating Systems bring you a world of features, but they come with a hefty price tag too. Over ninety percent of the OS market is under Microsoft’s control, and due to their monopoly, they’ve been jacking up the prices of their Operating Systems beyond reasonable limits.
Gone are the good old days of Windows XP when you could get a license under $100, but now its costs you $200+ even to get your hands on the licenses of software packages like MS Office 2007, and the cost of Windows 7 has started burning holes in the pockets of common users.
So, here are top 5 alternatives to Windows Operating Systems.
1. PC-BSDIt
It is a Unix-like OS, which is based on FreeBSD, and presented interesting features at absolutely zero price! Initially this OS had several flaws, but after the major fixes, its stable version was released during the month of June, 2009. It supported Nvidia and Intel drivers for hardware improvements, and is compatible with both x86 and x86-64 architectures.
Not only is it fairly easy to install, but it also comes with impressive functionalities like 3D desktop interface through Compiz Fusion, and default KDE pre-installed GUI; so, the Ubuntu users are going to love it.
2. PCLOS
Also known as PCLinuxOSPCLinuxOS, PCLOS is yet another impressive GNU/Linux based free open-source OS, which makes use of KDE as its default GUI. Its most stable version is PCLinuxOS 2009, created for improvising on Mandrake Linux. Just like the other popular open source operating systems, PCLOS is also distributed in form of CDs, and can be installed onto your PC’s hard drive or a USB flash drive effortlessly.
3. Pardus Pardus
Pardus Pardus is also a Linux-based OS that has an interesting name, derived from Anatolian leopard. You don’t literally require any kind of knowledge for dealing with this operating system, and the latest version of Pardus is Pardus 2009.
Its package management system is implemented in Python and XML, based on the LZMA Compression Algorithm, and known as PiSi
4. DreamLinuxLT
It is a Debian GNU/Linux based OS that can even be installed on a hard drive separately! It was designed and developed in Brazil, and its user interface gives you the feel of Mac OSX, especially the animated toolbar that you see on Mac machines. It configures AIGLX automatically for NVIDIA and ATI cards
The Dreamlinux 3.0 version offers support to Flexiboost that allows you to deal with multiple windows managers. Now, its latest version Dreamlinux 3.5 is available in the market with Debian Lenny.
5. Desktop.SimplyMEPISSimplyMEPIS
It’s the most popular Debian based MEPIS distribution, which is distributed via live installable CDs. This OS also comes with KDE, and new packages like OpenOffice.org 3.0, KDE 3.5.10, and Linux kernel 2.6.27, are available on latest version of Desktop.SimplyMEPISSimplyMEPIS.
So, check out these operating systems to find a free alternative to Windows!
