Microsoft vs. Apple OS - Research Paper Example

Microsoft vs. Apple OS Operating systems handles the details of the interaction between the user and the hardware. The operating systems are generally used in nearly all computing devices ranging from desktop computers to video games. There basically two prominent operating systems that exist for various functions and professionals; Microsoft windows and the Apple operating system. Depending on the function, the two operating systems exhibit some dissimilarity. For example, for architects and landscape architects, Microsoft windows has traditionally been one of the dominant operating system as it is compatible with a variety of programs relevant to the field such as the Autodesk AutoCAD (Cantrell & Michaels CHAP 1). The operating system OS X and Windows are two different types of operating systems that are created by Apple and the Microsoft companies respectively. The operating system OS X will run on Apple hardware only otherwise referred to as Mac computers, but Windows operating system will run on almost any compatible hardware referred to as PC computers as well as those produced by Apple organization. Most people who prefer the Apple Mac computers operating on the apple OS X platform argue that Mac accessories are more reliable, that is, they are less prone to program crashing or unexpected shut-downs than PCs which operate on the Microsoft windows platform. However, this remains to a matter to be debated upon by proponents of both operating systems. According to a consumer report survey of laptop computers for the year 2008, two computer gadgets emerged out as the best laptop brands (Peterka pp17-19). These were Mac manufactured by Apple and the Lenovo which incidentally runs on the Microsoft windows operating system. But of the two, Lenovo had a better score than the former in terms of reliability. The Mac on the contrary also recorded a higher score than Lenovo in terms client service and satisfaction. Arguments have therefore erupted as to which operating system is more superior to the other. Microsoft windows operating system on the other hand, is a computer software developed by the Microsoft corporation. It is indeed among the leading personal computing platform. The organization’s nature of allowing for the licensing of its windows software products to some firms that have been in the computer manufacturing business, has been the key factor that has seen to Microsoft domination in the computer market. In most cases, Microsoft windows has work in hand in hand with other giant computer manufacturing firms such as HP, Toshiba, Dell and many others. They have availed some of their hardware to virtually all computer users owing to their high compatibility with a variety of computer sets (Silverman pp5-10). The ease of availability of Microsoft products has therefore means that the organization greatly benefits from economies of scale in a way that the cost of these products becomes less expensive. This consequently implies that Microsoft operating system based computer products are affordable and easily accessible when compared to the Apple Macs. The affordability of Microsoft products has also been associated with certain stumbling blocks. For instance, through Microsoft’s ever willingness to partner with virtually any party intending to do computer related business activities, the company is therefore usually obliged to carry out all that is within its premise to ascertain that their clients are able to get a Microsoft software that is compatible with the new hardware that the partner company is manufacturing. This might the cost the company a great deal in terms of constant updating of its products which may put the Microsoft Corporation at a shear point of bloating. Also, Microsoft operating system has won the favor of the majority of people owing to the fact that more often than not, it usually ensures that its even its newer operating system can still be compatible even with the older operating system. However, but just like other case, this has also been linked with some other shortcomings, such as adding to the complexity of security issues since such older windows operating systems may not have been created with certain key futures that are found in most modern computer systems such as internet-aware applications that interact with it. From the beginning, as a company, Apple’s philosophy has been to develop and sell both the hardware as well as software for its computers. However, there have been a few exceptions to this. In the 1980, apple licensed a few manufacturers to produce their own versions of the apple. Also, between 1995 to almost the end of the twentieth century, the apple organization has licensed the Mac operating system to various companies in the computer market. The apple software together with its hardware are designed to work in harmony. Their ability to and policy of controlling the engineering of both the software and hardware is considered as their major stride in the provision of a better experience and expertise in terms of how easy the computer can be used as well as its reliability. Moreover, the long-term policy of the Apple inc. to have control over their products especially their hardware which imply that there are thus very few configurations that its software can be able to support which results to a rather more stable computer operating systems in the computer market. The same case also applies to the setting of price and the accessibility of its products to their clients. However, the fact that there are also other computer making companies that are competing with the apple such as Microsoft corporation, the company is therefore unable to put forth its own price which is instead left in the hands of the prevailing market supply-demand fluctuation patterns. Due to their employment of sophisticated technology and their continual quest to dominate the computer market, Apple Inc has continued to come up with equally matching sophisticated software and hardware. For instance, the Apple operating system known as the Mac is only compatible with Apple branded computer accessories and not any other computer system. However, other operating systems such as Microsoft windows can effectively run on the Mac computers. Several pros and cons of the two operating systems have been established. In the case of the Mac which runs on the OS X manufactured by Apple. Among such advantages include the fact that the computer world website has awarded the Apple Mac accessories quite high scores in terms of service as well as reliability to the extent that if someone buys the Mac, he is rest assured of having bought a quality machine. On the same note, the Mac operating system including the machine itself both originate from the same manufacturer which makes the chances of strange compatibility software issues to be very slim as compared to the Microsoft operating system which is usually fixed to any PC computer manufactured by a variety of companies. Also, the apple operating system based Mac computers are usually very less likely of being the target of software malware such as viruses owing to the precision of the various engineering processes that are involved in the manufacture which apparently is the cause of the high-selling prices as well as the due to the fact that they are not so rampant in the market. Microsoft windows have mostly been the target of such attacks not to due to their poor design but rather due to their large numbers within the computer market. On the other hand, the reduced flexibility in terms of the features that they posses as well as the high market prices of the apple operating system based Macs has been reported as one of the main cons of the apple product. Indeed most of the frequently used programs and other complementary software only run on the Microsoft windows operating system only. As for the case of the Microsoft windows operating system, their remarkable high scores in terms of reliability and service department has posed as among the merits of the OS. Consequently, due to the availability of thousands of computer configurations that are available from various manufacturers of PC, most people who are interested in purchasing PC computers are presented with a wide range of choices that fit their various needs and desires. Compared to the Apple operating systems, Microsoft OS are compatible with almost all software applications since there are a lot of software developing companies produce software that mainly targets the windows platform. However, one major demerit associated with Microsoft operating system is the significantly low score in terms of reliability especially for certain Microsoft associated PC manufacturing companies which calls for thorough consideration of all the existing brands when purchasing a PC computer. Therefore depending on the taste of an individual as well as the tasks that one wants to perform using a computer, both the two operating systems can be deemed as efficient. For individuals who use their computers for browsing over the internet, they should select a computer that is not easily a target of the software viruses, whereas for those who want to have a variety of software applications and or programs, they should go for an operating system that has a high compatibility with other complementary applications. Works cited Apple's Mac Os X Is Less Secure Than Windows, http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/analysis/1590073/apple-mac-os-x-secure-windows (accessed April 26, 2011). Cantrell, Bradley and Wes Michaels. Digital Drawing for LandscapeArchitecture:Contemporary Techniques and Tools for Digital Representation in Site Design. NewYork: John Wiley and Sons, 2010. Print Find out All about Computer Operating Systems, http://www.retailshoppingsecrets.com/computer_operating_systems.html (accessed April 26, 2011). Peterka, David. The Senior Sleuth's Guide to Technology for Seniors. U.S.A: Conifer Books, 2009. Print Silverman, Dwight. Running Windows on Your Mac. Berkeley: Peachpit Press, 2008. Read More