We're looking at desktop and laptop use only. Before we get started, let's establish a few ground rules and recognize a few realities. In this article, we're going to take a comprehensive look at the differences between these platforms for desktop use. If you're choosing an operating system for your desktop or laptop computer, there are three main choices: Windows, MacOS, and Linux. But, if you're upgrading from an old machine, you might want to re-evaluate your options. By mid-2019, most people are fully entrenched with their favorite operating system choice.