For this i will be comparing two very different operating systems: Window 8 and OS X Mountain lion. This is because they are both new operating systems and as one is for macs and one is for PCs they should have some good comparisons.
Security:
This is a big part of the OS as it is needed on every computer/mac however apple have been known in the past to leave this out. Because of this they have included more security in this latest update. An advantage of this is its anti-malware functions and ways to back-up your data easily. Like Window 8 it also supports a cryptographic encryption on the disk to protect you files which gives it added protection as well. However they also included a feature that could cause it to be more vulnerable. As they included some of their security as the 'Gatekeeper app' people are able to purchase digital certificates for it making it more vulnerable.
Windows however includes its free windows defender, which has been called one of the best free security systems around, as well as newer security features like the cryptographic encryption on disks. They have also included the 'secure boot' feature that works against malware threats during boot time and have improved their other features. This makes Windows 8 a better choice for security but OS X is not far behind.
Ease of use:
Apple has been improving its capablilities for years with each new updated OS and have continued this tradition with Mountain lion. They have included a new notification centre and spotlight tool as well as other helper facilities. This means that the user can find and use the difference helper functions as they need while keeping it looking sophisticated. This also helps because users don't need to learn everything all a once, instead they can just find the next helper tool when they need it and not do get overloaded by new information.
However they have also created some flaws, the gatekeeper app talked about above will only let you download apps from the apple app store. This works well when you want to stop malware from getting through, but when you want an app that isn't in the apple store the process is long and hard for novice users. Which can lead to the security system to being turned off. This can make it a pointless app to have and creates more security threats. They have also change their application file service, this means that there are now three different service just for apps: version-enabled apps, i-cloud documents-compatible apps and traditional apps. This coupled with the removal of the save-as feature means saving and finding files has become much more confusing.
Windows 8 has the same sort of problem, they have included many good features but in the process created some bad ones. They have improved on windows 7 a lot and have created an new and elegant looking tile screen. It works well with the different apps most people have like facebook and email and anything you can't find on the tile screen can be found just as easily. However because this OS is best suited for Phones and tablets it has some short comings when it comes to PC use. Because it is mainly for tablets they have included the windows 7 desktop behind the tile feature in order to make some programs work. It is also harder to use due to its touch screen capabilities, it is set up for swipe motions and doing this with a mouse can become awkward for some features. They have sorted some of these through the Windows desktop feature but it is like dealing with two different computers. Sometimes you may have to switch between screens to do what you want and this can be tedious. Simply put Windows 8 is great for tablets but has problems with PC use just like Window 7 is great for PCs and shocking for Tablet use. Because of this, although they both have problems, Mac OS X Mountain Lion wins out.
Compatability:
Windows wins out for this simply because it works on just about everything. It has a tile feature that works on phones and tablets as well as the Windows 7 feature for any extra PC. It is also compatable with all software, hardware and services modern computers have and the only reason some older computers can't run it is due to proccessing power not software.
Mountain Lion of course only works on Apple products so its hardware and software capabilities are lower. However as Apple have come out with Macs, Ipods and Iphones it still has high usage and is not far behind Windows. You have to remember that all day to day hardware (mouse, keybaord, speakers) work on both products normally so there isn't as much difference in compatability.
Value:
This is a big part of decision making because the sheer difference in prices. Apple only costs £20 for an upgrade whilst Windows 8 cost £100 just for the normal version. If you want the pro version it goes up to £190. £80 is a big difference in cost for just an operating system especially when you're not even getting the full package. This coupled with apples ease of use being higher makes Mountain Lion the better choice.
In conclusion i believe both have their flaws but are good opperating systems. However all in all, due to is lower cost, OS X mountain Lion wins out overall. Both have good features, and mac lost out on security, but Windows is built mainly for Tablets. Because of this its PC functions aren't as good. But in the end it all depends on what you buy, if you buy a mac then you should get Mountain Lion, if you get a PC then Windows 8 is a good choice.
No comments:
Post a Comment