Which operating system is best for music-making in 2026 ?

[jamcat]

Macs are the best when it comes to things that matter for audio:

1. Broad audio software compatibility
2. System-wide low latency audio
3. Silent performance under load
4. Stability

Yes, I use Mac for audio, for those reasons. And yes, I also have Windows and Linux systems as well, but I choose Mac over both, and it’s not even close.

You will also find that every major audio software developer uses Apple as their primary system in-house. This is because Apple is still the industry standard for audio, for the reasons I listed. And this also means that audio software developers make Mac their priority, which translates to better stability and support for Mac users.

[BBFG#]

I still believe the best one is the one you can strip down to do what you want/need without having to keep the bloated garbage up to date st their demand of what they think you want/need.
"Customization is the key to freedom."
My biggest problem with Apple is the closed hardware that makes having to throw the whole thing away at some point to buy another closed piece of hardware. I see more Apples as "door stops/decorations" than I see being used. (Many homes having three or four with only the newest one with the latest version working.)
At least the PCs eventually get recycled.
There really shouldn't be a difference in which OS otherwise.

[audiojunkie]

I still believe the best one is the one you can strip down to do what you want/need without having to keep the bloated garbage up to date st their demand of what they think you want/need.
"Customization is the key to freedom."
My biggest problem with Apple is the closed hardware that makes having to throw the whole thing away at some point to buy another closed piece of hardware. I see more Apples as "door stops/decorations" than I see being used. (Many homes having three or four with only the newest one with the latest version working.)
At least the PCs eventually get recycled.
There really shouldn't be a difference in which OS otherwise.

One of the nice things about Apple hardware, is that when Apple does their planned obsolescence, which they regularly do, Linux is available for the machine after Apple is done with it. The key for Apple users would be to make sure that their software is "truly cross compatible", meaning that each application or plugin they purchase supports Windows, MacOS, AND Linux. Then those nice expensive Apple computers are still just as useful through Linux once Apple discards OS support for the hardware.

[eLawnMust]

Windows XP...

[Jim Roseberry]

Macs are the best when it comes to things that matter for audio:

1. Broad audio software compatibility
2. System-wide low latency audio
3. Silent performance under load
4. Stability

Yes, I use Mac for audio, for those reasons. And yes, I also have Windows and Linux systems as well, but I choose Mac over both, and it’s not even close.

You will also find that every major audio software developer uses Apple as their primary system in-house. This is because Apple is still the industry standard for audio, for the reasons I listed. And this also means that audio software developers make Mac their priority, which translates to better stability and support for Mac users.

I have both the fastest Mac Studio currently available... and a 9950x based custom PC.

Both are 100% stable
Both are extremely quiet under load
The 9950x has more DSP processing power
With Carbon/ProTools, the Mac can monitor DSP processed audio at sub 1ms latency.
With any other DAW app, that figure is significantly higher (due to AVB connection).
With Orion Studio SC, the PC can monitor DSP processed audio at 1ms latency (using any DAW)

The PC has six internal M.2 drives running at 7000MB/Sec.
The Mac Studio has a single internal M.2 drive. All data drives are tethered via TB5 and lose significant speed due to limitations of external enclosures. Many of the faster enclosures use a small fan for cooling... and they're not quiet. I have one... and it's sitting behind a closet door.

Aside from running DAW applications, I also use Davinci Resolve (video editing).
The 9950x based PC has a RTX-5070Ti.
For this purpose, the PC is significantly faster than the Mac Studio.

I bought the Avid Carbon setup for two reasons
- Sub 1ms monitoring in ProTools
- No record offset in ProTools (any non-Avid interface will have record offset)
It works exactly as advertised.
Carbon is currently Mac only (Avid mentioned Windows compatibility, but it's been 5 years).

Side Note On ProTools:
I've mentioned this before, but will repeat for those not aware:
If you're running ProTools with anything but an Avid audio interface, your audio is not being placed accurately on the timeline. ProTools has no parameter to correct for Record Offset.
It relies solely on the audio interface driver properly reporting its latency.
In 35+ years working with DAWs, I've yet to see *any* audio interface report this figure correctly.
This is true both Mac and PC.
The solution is to measure the Record Offset, and setup a Macro (Streamdeck, DAW controller, etc)... where you can compensate with a single button press.
You have to do this for every recorded clip.
There is no Record Offset with Carbon (I've verified).

[lunardigs]

Here's a new one
Microsoft BANNED WireGuard, VeraCrypt & Windscribe Without Warning