Short answer — in 2025 the major desktop/server OSes each target different business needs:

• Windows 11 (enterprise channel: 24H2 now; 25H2 preview in 2025) — best for broad app compatibility, Windows management ecosystem (Intune, SCCM), and legacy Windows apps; strong security and continued feature updates but requires active patching and careful feature-update testing for large fleets. (support.Microsoft.com)

• macOS (macOS 26 “Tahoe” in 2025; Sequoia was the prior release) — excellent for creative, developer and Apple‑ecosystem workflows; increasingly Apple‑Intel‑chipline dependent (Tahoe is last major Intel‑supporting release) and offers growing on‑device intelligence/continuity features; Apple business management is mature but narrower than Windows in third‑party enterprise app coverage. (Apple.com)

• Linux (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and RHEL 9/10 families) — best for servers, cloud, containers, and workloads needing long support Windows and platform control. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS offers extended support options (Ubuntu Pro, 12‑year commitments for some paths) and realtime/real‑time and confidential‑computing features for niche enterprise use; Red Hat continues to push RHEL 10 and cloud/AI tooling for enterprise ops. (Canonical.com)

• ChromeOS (ChromeOS Enterprise/Chrome Enterprise Plus) — lightweight, easy to manage at scale with strong web/app isolation and lower endpoint cost; increasingly viable for knowledge‑work and frontline workers, and adding on‑device AI and improved multitasking. Good for Chromebook fleets or mixed environments where web apps and zero‑touch provisioning dominate. (theverge.com)

What matters for business choice (quick checklist)

• Security & patching:

  • Windows: strong enterprise security tools and rapid patch cadence; plan QA for feature updates (24H2/25H2 cadence). (support.Microsoft.com)
  • macOS: solid platform security and privacy features; Apple Intelligence/on‑device models may add new data‑handling considerations. (Apple.com)
  • Linux: long LTS support, kernel control, confidential computing/certified cloud images (Ubuntu/RHEL options). (Canonical.com)
  • ChromeOS: sandboxing + managed updates reduces endpoint risk for many use cases. (theverge.com)

• Manageability & integrations:

  • Windows: best MDM/Group Policy/tooling ecosystem for mixed enterprise apps. (blogs.Windows.com)
  • macOS: good MDM (Apple Business Manager, JAMF) but smaller app ecosystem for legacy Windows apps; strong Apple‑to‑Apple continuity. (Macworld.com)
  • Linux: configuration automation (Ansible, etc.), great for server/CI/CD and cloud marketplaces. (Canonical.com)
  • ChromeOS: simple fleet management and fast provisioning for distributed/remote teams. (techradar.com)

• Application compatibility:

  • Windows wins for legacy Windows desktop apps and many line‑of‑business systems.
  • macOS is preferred where Apple‑native creative and developer apps are necessary.
  • Linux dominates servers, containers, and cloud‑native tooling.
  • ChromeOS is best where web apps and SaaS are sufficient.

• Support lifecycle & upgrade planning:

  • Use Windows feature‑update channels (pilot → broad → deferred) to avoid user disruption; Microsoft documents 24H2/25H2 servicing details. (support.Microsoft.com)
  • Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and RHEL have multi‑year support options (Ubuntu Pro, RHEL subscriptions) suitable for stability‑first deployments. (Canonical.com)
  • macOS 26 (Tahoe) in 2025 is a major release — if you have Intel Macs note it’s the last big Intel update; plan Apple Silicon migration for long‑term compatibility/support. (Macworld.com)

AI & new features (enterprise impact)

• Microsoft: Windows is adding managed AI experiences across services; enterprise admin controls are evolving — test privacy/compliance implications. (blogs.Windows.com)
• Apple: macOS Tahoe expands Apple Intelligence and continuity (Spotlight, Phone app, on‑device models) — useful for productivity but requires review for data policies. (Apple.com)
• Linux/RHEL/Ubuntu: strong focus on confidential VMs, real‑time kernels, and cloud optimizations useful for AI workloads and regulated workloads. (Canonical.com)
• ChromeOS: adding on‑device AI, better multitasking and enterprise features — attractive for low‑management endpoints. (theverge.com)

Recommendations (by business need)

• Large enterprises with many legacy Windows apps: Stay on Windows 11 LTS/enterprise servicing branches, use Intune/MDM, stage 24H2 → 25H2 carefully. (support.Microsoft.com)
• Creative teams / tight Apple ecosystem: Deploy macOS 26 (Tahoe) on Apple Silicon where possible; phase out Intel Macs across 2025–2026. (Macworld.com)
• Servers, cloud, AI infra, high‑uptime: Use Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or RHEL (subscribe for extended support/confidential computing); exploit cloud marketplace images and Pro/RHEL subscriptions. (Canonical.com)
• Distributed/mobile/deskless staff: Consider ChromeOS Enterprise for low overhead, fast deployment, and strong web/SaaS security. (theverge.com)

If you want, I can:

• Map a migration/upgrade plan for your fleet (Windows/macOS/Linux/Chromebook mix) with timelines and testing gates, or
• Produce a one‑page decision matrix that weighs security, app compatibility, management overhead, and cost for each OS.

Which would you like next?