Which is the best operating system (OS) for VEX Programming?

Teams,

We often get asked why a particular software (including MATLAB) does not support Chromebooks or Ipads, etc. If you could reply to this quick poll on operating systems, it will immensely help us gauge interest and plan better to support the whole community!

Which OS runs on your currently available computer/device used for robot programming?
  • Windows
  • MAC OS
  • Linux
  • Chrome OS (Chromebook)
  • iOS (iPad, iPhone)
  • Android
  • Fire OS (Amazon)
0 voters
Which OS would be your preference for your programming computers?
  • Windows
  • MAC OS
  • Linux
  • Chrome OS (Chromebook)
  • iOS (iPad, iPhone)
  • Android
  • Fire OS (Amazon)
  • Any (Don’t care as long as it works)
0 voters
Are you a student or teacher/mentor?
  • Student
  • Teacher/Mentor
0 voters

Thanks so much for helping! :slight_smile: If you use something else please let us know as well in the comments, and if you want to make a case for a particular OS please do!

Best,

Jose Avendano
MATLAB and Simulink Robotics Arena
MathWorks Support for VEX
msra_logo

5 Likes

The 1st poal does not let me pick 2 answers. I can dual boot windows and Linux

3 Likes

I use (GNU/)Linux for other programming and have a good development setup that I’ve been building over several years (dev tools, editor, shell, shortcuts, keyboard layout etc.) so I picked PROS because it was the only Linux compatible Vex thing when I started VRC this year. Additionally, using standard toolchains means that it works with my editor, extensions, and command line tools rather than having to use the stupid editor without extensions that VexCode Pro is packaged with. </rant>

4 Likes

Thanks for the replies! That is really helpful. Two more things we should have asked:

Would you use a browser interface for programming if available? (Means there would be no installation needed or minimal, and likely work on multiple operating systems)
  • Yes
  • No
  • Maybe, if it works well…
0 voters
Which type of computers do they provide at your school?
  • Windows
  • Mac OS
  • Linux
  • Chromebook
  • Students bring their own
  • Other
0 voters

The botem poal does not let you pick 2. Our school says you can bring your one, or share one Linux computer for all 4 teams.

1 Like

About “Which type of computers do they provide”.

I picked Windows, because that’s what they have for Robotics teams. But, students each get their own chromebooks but can bring their own to replace either if they wish. The questions is kinda unclear about which choice I should pick.

1 Like

Trying to understand this better. Sorry if the question was unclear.

So normally each student gets a Chromebook? but if you are part of a robotics team you can opt in to get a windows one?

Same here. Every student at our school gets a Chromebook, but they provide windows laptops if you want to code in Vex code Pro. They also let you bring your own laptop, so it’s a little bit of everything lol

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Every student gets a chromebook. There are a few windows laptops that stay in the robotics room to be used only for robotics purposes. But, students can get their own laptops to replace both.

I just want to clarify if by ‘provide at your school’ you mean to all students, for robotics work, etc. And should I answer yes to ‘Students bring their own’ if students can optionally bring their own?

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Our organization is not a “school”…we’re a community team, VEX-IQ through VEX-U…

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I would reply whichever device is provided by your organization. We should have labeled the last option “Students HAVE to bring their own”. But can’t change it now… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thanks !!

1 Like

Schools in Delmarva spent millions on Chromebooks and I use Robot Mesh Studio on them with success. Just wish the VEX OS tools for V5 and VIQ ran on Chromebooks.

2 Likes