When it comes to Operating Systems, three champions tend to come into play, and it’s either Mac OS, Windows or Linux. What is the difference between operating systems and what makes them unique from one another? Today, these three operating systems are gaining more attention as each of them keep progressing at a record pace. There is a widespread belief that Mac OS is for GFX designers, Windows is for playing solitaire and Linux is for developers. This implies that there is a high possibility that you’re currently using Windows as your operating system.

Today, we are going to take a deeper look at these three operating systems so we can know their advantages, disadvantages as well as their differences. We believe everyone has their take on which OS works best, but we believe our self-drawn opinions are sure to come in handy.Let’s begin with the difference between operating systems!

Windows

First on our list is Windows. This Operating System which happens to be the pride of the Microsoft Corporation has been known for a long time by users all around the world. As we all know, Windows OS is currently being utilized by over 80 to 90 percent of all computers both desktops and laptops alike. Although other Operating Systems are coming up, Windows still remain very popular among home users and companies. Windows appears to be the only operating system to those who are less computer-savvy, over the years Windows has developed into an Operating System that’s become feature-rich and super huge especially with Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Windows are generally known for its user friendliness, an extensive collection of software and broad hardware support. It is, however, a closed source and well known for some of the biggest computer headaches including malware, viruses, spyware, gradual performance decay and BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death). This implies that as long as a user doesn’t want to see their system go crazy, they need to install maintenance as well as a security software. The good part is that you can run lots of games, programs, and devices on Windows OS.

Mac OS

Next up is the Mac OS X. This yet another super Operating System that should be reckoned with. Macintosh computers come pre-loaded with the Mac OS. They feature a very appealing interface with a myriad of programs that integrate fully into the system. Mac OS is typically titled as Unix operating system because it is based on Darwin. Compared with other PCs, Mac computers are much more expensive; even a low-grade Mac can cost almost twice the amount required to assemble a Windows PC. In essence, a major downside of this OS is its price. Also, Mac OS X is only compatible with computers built specifically for the OS, meaning, “No other type of PC can run a Mac OS X.

Also, the Mac OS doesn’t get the Windows viruses due to its design (Unix), and this makes it a lot safer than Windows. This OS also supports quite a number of peripherals attached to it, providing ease of use with printers, cameras, etc. As we mentioned earlier, Mac OS has usage restrictions in its license. Hence, this operating system can only be run on systems constructed by Apple. This implies that if you want to run the Mac OS X legally, you will have to get an Apple computer which is costlier than regular PCs.

Linux

Linux is a popular term that is used to refer to a vast collection of Linux distributions. Linux users enjoy the benefit of having little resource requirements. Linux boasts of a huge number of advantages that can help every user regardless of what they use their PC for. One major advantage is that this OS is open-source. This simply means that any user around the world can examine Linux source code and locate any bugs, security holes or any other issue, and either fixes the problem or give it to someone capable of fixing the problem. Linux is highly compatible with almost any type of computer and console except Apple or Macintosh computers. The biggest problem with Linux is its lack of user-friendliness. Although Linux features a good graphical user interface, users still have to utilize the command line to perform many tasks. Linux is actually the cheapest and most customizable of the three operating systems. Also, this operating system may have a vast collection of community-sourced applications available. However, it doesn’t offer as many professional quality ones as Windows or Mac OS X.

So far we have explored the basic compatibility issues associated with the three most used operating systems. Each and every one of them has certain pros and cons. All in all, the choice is entirely based on users preferences. So let us know which is your favorite and why.