There are two basic paradigms regarding the use of computers: “Computers are tools” and “Computers are butlers”.

A tool is something that doesn’t do anything on its own, it only allows YOU to do things you couldn’t do without it. But without the knowledge of how to use the tool, even the best tool is nothing more than a paperweight.

A butler is someone who does everything for you. You don’t need to know how things are done, you just tell the butler what you want and he does it for you.

Linux is the textbook example of “Computers are tools”. It is almost pathologically unwilling to do anything on its own. But it’s a goddamn Swiss Army Knife if you know what you’re doing.

Apple is the textbook example of “Computers are butlers”. They are designed for people who just want to click one button and have the computer do everything for them without them having to know how it was done.

Microsoft tries very hard to be the middle point and does a mediocre job at it.

So, if you know your way around the bits and bytes, you go for linux. If you don’t know your way, but have some interest in learning and doing things on your own, you go for Microsoft. If you have no idea what a bit is and don’t care to learn, Apple is your only hope.