Cand3lasville

Operating System Analysis: Windows 7, OS X, and Fedora Linux

Posted on by Posted in Article, Computers .

Since the beginning of the Internet, many operating systems have changed the way they work to make sure that they may be the number one choice for user to use when logging into the Internet. There are many types of operating systems in use today. However, this paper will be describing only three among the many operating systems in use. Of course, this paper will be discussing the latest release distribution from Microsoft, Windows 7.

Next this paper will discuss the cult classic Macintosh with its new operating system OS X. Finally, this paper will discuss the Ubuntu Linux distribution. Let us begin with Microsoft’s Windows®7.

 

Windows® 7

Windows® 7 is the new version on Windows® from Microsoft. This operating system came to Microsoft’s rescue after the Windows® Vista Fiasco. Windows® 7 is more than just another version of the Windows® operating system because it was redesign. It is stable, smooth, and highly polished (Rosenblatt, 2009). Windows® 7 has all new features for the graphical interface as well as a new redesign taskbar, a new management for devices, and new security enhancement that make this version of the operating system from Microsoft easier to use and safer (Rosenblatt, 2009).

In comparison with other Windows® 7 distributions except for Windows® Vista, this version have been known as the Windows® Eye candy for its clean and beautiful graphical interface. Many users have come to think that this is Microsoft’s response to the Macintosh OS X look at feel. Microsoft tried this new graphical interface with Windows® Vista, but it was a process and memory hog. The correction to this issue is in the release of Windows® 7. Let us look at Windows®7 requirements.

 

Windows® 7 Requirements

To run the new Windows® 7 operating system, the user’s system needs to meet the following requirements:

  • At least 1 GHz for 32-bit or 64-bit processor
  • At least 1 GB of RAM for 32-bit processors or 2 GB RAM for 64-bit processors
  • At least 16 GB available hard disk space in 32-bit processors or 20 GB for 64-bit processors
  • Requires at least DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or better driver

Windows® 7 requires a system with at least 1 GHz in the x86 or x64 processor architecture (Microsoft, 2012). For RAM it requires at least 1 GB of RAM for x32 processors and 2 GB or RAM in x64 processors (Microsoft, 2012). The system will also need at least 16 GB of HDD space for x32 processors and at least 20 GB of HDD space for x64 processors (Microsoft, 2012). For the graphical interface of Windows® 7 the system will need at least DirectX 9 graphic devices with WDDM 1 (Microsoft, 2012).

The installation of this operating system could take place on any hardware as long as the hardware meets the hardware requirements. This feature makes it perfect for users who want to build their own machines or for hobbyist. Windows® allows the user to select all the hardware components when building a system. Let us look at the Windows® 7 versions available.

 

Windows® 7 Versions

Currently there are three versions of Windows® 7 available from Microsoft. Windows® 7 Home Premium is a light version designed for the home user. This version cost about $119.99 retail (Microsoft, 2012). Windows® 7 Professional is version of Windows® 7 loaded with feature to help the average business user. This version cost about $199.99 retail (Microsoft, 2012). Windows® 7 Ultimate is a fully loaded version that helps the business user. This version cost around $219.99 retail (Microsoft, 2012). Let us look at the Macintosh OS X operating system.

 

Macintosh OS X

Macintosh OS X is the newest OS version from Apple Computers. Only Macintosh hardware can use this operating system. This operating system comes from a foundation of UNIX (Apple, 2012). The creation of the OS X operating system is to benefit from the technologies of every new Macintosh computer (Apple, 2012). This operating system is famous for its beautiful graphical interface. Let us look at the requirements.

 

Macintosh OS X Requirements

To run the latest OS X operating system, the general requirements are as follows:

  • For OS X not older than v10.6.8
  • At least 2GB of memory
  • At least 8GB of available space

Because Macintosh OS X is use in Macintosh computers, we also need to look at the type of machines as part of the operating system requirements. The Macintosh models supported are as follows:

  • iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
  • MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
  • Xserve (Early 2009)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
  • Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)

Macintosh OS X Versions

The Macintosh OS X is only available in two versions. Macintosh OS X Mountain Lion is available to new Macintosh computers. This operating system could be purchase for any of the supported model. Macintosh OS X will cost $19.99 when it is release in July (Apple, 2012). The OS X Server operating system is available to Apple Servers, and it comes pre-install on all new Apple Servers.

The OS X Server could be purchase for older supported servers for $19.99 when it comes out in July (Apple, 2012). Let us look at the Ubuntu distribution of Linux.

 

Ubuntu Linux

The Ubuntu distribution of Linux is the distribution designed to be super-fast, easy, and the best part is that it is free (Ubuntu, 2012). Ubuntu has a beautiful graphical interface. This operating system has an application store similar to the one found in the Macintosh OS X. The user will search for the desired application, click to install, and the application is install a few minutes later. This feature makes it perfect for new Linux users. Let us look at the requirements for Ubuntu.

 

Ubuntu Linux Requirements

The Ubuntu operating system is more forgiven with the hardware requirements. The requirements are as follows:

  • Minimal RAM is 64 GB
  • Recommended RAM is 512 MB
  • Minimal Hard Drive is 5 GB

The Ubuntu operating system has a minimum requirement of 64 MB of RAM, but Ubuntu recommends 512 MB (Ubuntu, 2012). The minimum HDD requirement is 5 GB (Ubuntu, 2012). Let us look at the versions available for Ubuntu.

 

Ubuntu Linux Versions

The Ubuntu distribution of Linux is available for either the x32 or the x64 processor versions. This operating system is available as a file that contains different versions of the operating system. The user could install Ubuntu on desktop, netbooks, laptops, and Servers.

 

Conclusion

This paper has described the three operating systems. As one can see, there are three major differences. The installation of these two operating systems (Windows® 7, and Ubuntu) could take place on any hardware as long as the hardware meets the minimum requirements. Out of these two operating systems, Windows® 7 comes with a cost although Ubuntu could is available free.

The other difference to notice is that although Windows®7, and Ubuntu could be install in any hardware as long as the requirements are met, Mac OS X is only available for Macintosh hardware. In conclusion, these operation systems available cover all available user preference. There is an operating system for everyone.

 

References

  • Apple. (2012). OS X Mountain Lion. Retrieved June 16, 2012, from Apple.com: http://www.apple.com/osx/what-is/
  • Microsoft. (2012). Windows 7. Retrieved June 15, 2012, from Windows: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/home
  • Rosenblatt, S. (2009, July 31). Microsoft Windows 7 review (Professional). Retrieved June 15, 2012, from CNET: http://reviews.cnet.com/windows/microsoft-windows-7-professional/4505-3672_7-33704140.html?tag=rb_content;contentBody
  • Ubuntu. (2012). Ubuntu for you. Retrieved June 15, 2012, from Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/ubuntu