List of Operating Systems: Features & Specs

Today, a huge part of the world's population interacts with computers on a permanent basis, someone is obliged to work, someone searches for information on the web, and some simply spends time in games. Everyone has his own needs, which means that the computer must correspond to them. And if we are talking about "hardware" (the technical component of the computer), then everything is less clear: the newer, the better. But the "soft" (software) part, requires special attention.

Each computer is running a certain operating system, of which there are a great many, each of which is suitable for various tasks, available equipment, and so on. Therefore, an important factor is the choice of this operating system.

There is a fairly massive list of operating systems, but this article will focus on three pillars that have a strong impact on the industry and occupy the bulk of all operating systems: Windows, MacOS and Linux.

Proprietary Operating Systems

To begin with it is necessary to specify that there are OS proprietary, those that are distributed under the license of the manufacturer. These include Windows operating systems , listed below, and MacOS. Despite the fact that both systems can be downloaded on the Web (steal), it will be right to purchase a license from the distributor company and activate it.

The advantage of such systems is their development, a huge amount of quality software and competent technical support that will help in case of malfunctions.

"Free" Operating Systems

These include almost all the family of Linux, except perhaps some developments with accounting or other professional software. These OS can be downloaded absolutely free of charge and installed on any computer without a twinge of conscience.

Such systems are created by independent developers together with the community, therefore in most cases the quality of programs leaves much to be desired, but such systems are much more protected and work more stable than their proprietary competitors.

Windows

Absolutely everyone who has ever dealt with a computer knows about this product from Microsoft. In particular, this concerns the over-the-top release of Windows 7. The list of Microsoft operating systems has already counted a dozen generations. They are extremely popular all over the world and occupy almost 90% of the market. What speaks about unprecedented leadership.

List of Windows operating systems:

• Windows XP;
• Windows Vista;
• Windows 7;
• Windows 8;
• Windows 10;

The list deliberately begins with Windows XP, as it is the oldest version that has been in use until today.

System requirements Windows 10 (latest release):

• To work, you need a processor with a frequency of at least 1000 MHz.
• 1 gigabyte of RAM (for 32-bit version) or 2 gigabytes of RAM (for 64-bit version).
• 16 gigabytes of ROM (for 32-bit version) or 20 gigabytes of ROM (for 64-bit version).
• Also, the system requires a video chip or video card that supports DirectX 9 technology.

The advantages of the system:

1. Availability. The system is able to work on any computer, regardless of the manufacturer.
2. Number of programs. Over the long history of the platform, a huge database of programs and applications has gathered, which still work (even those that were created more than 10 years ago).
3. High-quality support for games. Microsoft has at its disposal all the most advanced gaming experience, which allows you to run on their system the most advanced games.
4. Support for specific software. Windows has become the world standard, and therefore many programs and applications work only on it. To such it is possible to carry bank clients or accounting applications. It is also often noted the importance of the package Microsoft Office, which works with dignity only on Windows.

Disadvantages of the system:

1. Abundance of viruses. The popularity of this platform was not in vain. Not for the same operating system was not created as many viruses as they were launched under Windows. The user has to take care of his own security, buy antivirus and security software.
2. Unstable work. Unfortunately, Windows, evolving from generation to generation, only becomes overrun with new opportunities, without getting rid of junk. From this it becomes heavier, there are more and more errors in the code. Sometimes the system behaves unpredictably and can at all "die."
3. Constant updates. Having installed Windows, you should be prepared for the fact that it will be updated very often, and not always for the better. Yes, all updates are aimed at improving user experience and protection, but in fact updating can disable the computer or significantly reduce the speed of work. In addition, the system is updated without asking the user whether he wants it or not, so be mentally prepared if your work is lost due to another patch.
4. The need for drivers - any device that you want to connect to a computer, whether it's a camera or a printer, will require a driver, without which it probably will not work.

The opinion of Windows has always been twofold. Someone complains about persistent viruses and errors, someone does not like updating. Someone on the contrary praises Microsoft's product for its opportunities to work with Office.

In general, the product is suitable for the absolute majority. Windows is necessary for those who work with specific software, the Microsoft Office suite and plays in modern computer games.

MacOS

Less common, but better quality product, created by Apple. MacOS can only boast a modest 9%. This unpleasant situation is due to the fact that MacOS only works on Mac computers.

List of MacOS operating systems:

• OS X Mavericks;
• OS X Yosemite;
• OS X El Capitan;
• MacOS Sierra.

System requirements for the MacOS Sierra operating system (latest release):

• IMac (released at the end of 2009 or newer);
• Mac Book (12-inch, released in early 2015 or newer);
• Mac Book Pro (released in late 2010 or newer);
• Mac Book Air (released in late 2009 or newer);
• Mac Mini (released in early 2010 or newer);
• Mac Pro (released in late 2010 or newer).

One of the computers listed above is required to operate the system.

The advantages of the system:

1. Stability and safety. Apple products have always been known for their security and stability. Computers are no exception and are plugged into the belt of any competing system. Under MacOS, many security tools and restrictions have been created to not harm the end user. Also under the system much less viruses are created.
2. An impressive park of quality software. In MacOS, by default, a package of "software" is built in, necessary for productive work and creativity. The list of programs of the operating system includes applications for recording notes, web browsing, creating movies, mixing tracks, drawing, and so on. And the developers of the AppStore, in contrast to those in Windows, rely on quality and thoughtfulness, not cheap.
3. Interaction of the system with the "iron". MacOS operating system is "sharpened" to work with a narrow range of equipment, therefore it works smoothly and efficiently. There is advanced trackpad support. Almost any equipment works without drivers.
4. ICloud. Apple's computers, like other company products, are always synchronized with the iCloud cloud. This allows you to protect any data stored on your computer and keep them up-to-date on all devices.

Disadvantages of the system:

1. Expensiveness. The operating system itself is distributed free of charge, but it works only on Mac computers, which, in turn, are indecently expensive.
2. Less games. Gamers generally should not look towards MacOS, as the number of games, to put it mildly, suffers. You can not run any modern game product, as they simply do not adapt for Mac, because of its closed and poor distribution.
3. Weak business segment. Mac is not very common in the corporate environment, especially in Russia, so it is almost impossible to find suitable software on it. Organizations mostly create products for Windows.

Most Mac owners love their OS, they are praised for a large set of programs and stable work. Do not like MacOS is basically the adherents of Windows for its alleged limitation and high cost of Apple computers.

The system is suitable for all those whose profession is related to creativity. They are musicians, directors and even journalists.

Linux

The free operating system Linux has the smallest share on the computer market. It closes the list of PC operating systems with a share of 1%. Despite this, the system is the leader in the mobile device market and is in demand on servers.

The list of Linux operating systems:

• Fedora;
• Ubuntu;
• Mint;
• OpenSUSE;
• Gentoo;
• Arch;
• Slackware.

The system requirements of Linux operating systems are ambiguous. The technical equipment necessary to start the system varies greatly, because the platform is universal and can be compiled for any "machine".

The advantages of the system:

1. Versatility and accessibility. The system works on everything, literally. It is often used on the north, in educational institutions. And on home computers, it meets more often, in view of its availability. The system is distributed free of charge, as well as most of the applications for it.
2. Community support. Operating systems based on Linux have open source code and a lot of developers work on them, which reduces the level of threat of infection with the virus, speeds up the correction of various errors and generally has a positive effect on the development of the system.
3. Speed of work. Linux, perhaps, is the most undemanding system. Depending on the chosen "environment" (system interface) and distribution (the system as such), you can achieve very high performance on weak "machines".

Disadvantages of the system:

1. Incompatibility with Windows. Almost all software is just analogies with Windows, which are much inferior in quality. The same goes for games.
2. The need to master the terminal. The system can be managed with the help of a graphical interface, but sooner or later there will be a need to work with the terminal (a tool for managing the system in text mode), and therefore, to study the principles of the system, the command, the basics of programming.
3. Incompatibility of equipment. If you have an old printer at home, you can say with almost 100% certainty that Linux will not support it.

Praise the system only those who are very fond of computers and information technology, those who like to dig in the system. Regular users often complain, because in the system there is nothing for creativity, entertainment.

Steam OS

Another freely distributed system, which is nothing more than Linux with a shell from Valve. This product is aimed at gamers and the Steam gaming platform .

Chrome OS

The underdeveloped product from Google, which is limited only to web applications and the same browser. This system is not competitive in comparison with Windows and Mac, but is made with a view to the future when web interfaces can replace "real" software. By default, it is installed on all Chromebooks.

Installing multiple systems and using virtual machines

Since each platform has its pros and cons, it often becomes necessary to work with several. Computer developers know this, so they offer users the option to install two or three systems on the disk at once.

This is done simply. Only the distribution kit of the system (a disk or a USB flash drive loaded on their installation material) and free space on the hard disk are needed. All modern operating systems offer during the installation to allocate space and create a boot mechanism that will show a list of operating systems when the computer boots. Everything is done in semi-automatic mode and any user can do it.

On Apple computers there is a special utility - BootCamp, which is designed for simple and seamless Windows installation next to MacOS.

There is another way - installing a virtual system inside a real one. For this purpose, the following programs are used: VmWare and VirtualBox, which can emulate a full-fledged computer and run operating systems.

Instead of concluding

The list of operating systems for a computer is not limited to the foregoing. There are a lot of products from different companies, but they are all quite specific and do not deserve the attention of the average user. The choice should be made between Windows, MacOS and Linux, as they can cover most of the needs and are fairly easy to learn.