Are They Really Different?
Check out these ads in which Apple and Microsoft are battling for the “coolness” factor: ◦ Apple Macintosh Apple Macintosh ◦ Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows ◦ Goofy Bill Gates-Jerry Seinfeld Ad Goofy Bill Gates-Jerry Seinfeld Ad
Bill Gates bought DOS Windows started as an add on to DOS DOS/Windows would run on generic hardware Windows evolved into a full fledged OS Windows has adopted many popular features Apple made its own OS from scratch Apple ran on proprietary hardware only OSX – built on UNIX Free BSD Apple moves to standard hardware Apple OS becomes very complex
Both use the same processing chips Both use the same memory and hard drives Both use the same ports and peripheral equipment Both are extremely complex systems They can share files, networks and networked printers Both run the same major software packages
Cheaper up front Software availability (especially for specialized uses) Wide support Fairly easy to use for most users Security has improved considerably
More expensive over time A lot of software poorly designed/buggy Viruses / security issues Included applications are weak Hardware / Software compatibility issues
Less expensive over time Incredibly solid OS Great applications included No need for anti-virus software Hardware made to work with software Close knit community of users / advocates
More expensive up front Software scarce for specialized tasks Occasionally marginalized Some software is overpriced Less options for hardware configuration