Choosing an appropriate OS requires many factors to be considered before deciding which one to use in a given environment.
The first step in selecting an OS is to ensure that the OS being considered fully supports the requirements of the end user. Does the OS support the applications that will be run? Is the security and functionality sufficient for the needs of the users?
Next, conduct research to make sure that sufficient hardware resources are available to support the OS. This includes such basic items as memory, processors, and disk space, as well as peripheral devices such as scanners, sound cards, NICs and removable storage.
Another consideration is the level of human resources needed to support the OS. In a business environment, a company may limit support to one or two operating systems and discourage, or even disallow, the installation of any other OS. In the home environment, the ready availability of technical support for an OS may be a determining factor.