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Jonathan Relf

A Quick Guide to Operating Systems

Updated: Nov 6, 2023


Many different operating systems are available for all different types of devices, PCs, Smartphones and Tablets.

Each one has its own unique features but also its flaws.


Below we take a look into the three main operating systems available on the market today.


Technology Coach Blog - A Quick Guide to Operating Systems

This blog post will briefly discuss the three most popular operating systems: Windows, IOS and Android.





1. Windows OS (Microsoft)


Technology Coach Blog - A Quick Guide to Operating Systems Windows Example


Windows is one of the most used operating systems in the world on personal and business computers. It was developed by Microsoft in 1981 and has been used ever since.


Windows was created by Microsoft to be a better alternative to DOS (Disk Operating System), which was the dominant operating system at the time. Windows 1.0 was released in 1985, and it quickly became popular due to its graphical user interface (GUI) and ease of use.


Windows has continued to evolve over the years, with each new OS version having its own name: Windows NT (New Technology) in 1993, Windows 95 came out in 1995 with many new features, Windows 2000 & ME (Millennium Edition) in the same year, Windows XP (eXPerience) was released in 2001, Windows Vista in 2006, Windows 7 (2009), Windows 8 & 8.1 in 2011 (We won’t go there) and the long awaited Windows 10 on 30th September 2014.


Today, The latest version on the market is Windows 11; this brings much improvement and an almost complete redesign of the operating system. Some of the new features include an Improved search bar, full-screen mode, multiple desktops and a revamped Start menu, to name a few.






2. Mac OS & IOS (Apple)



Technology Coach Blog - A Quick Guide to Operating Systems Apple OS Example

Apple has three main operating systems for its products, macOS, iOS and watchOS.


The operating system macOS developed by Apple Inc. It was first released in 1984 for Macintosh computers. It is the software that controls how your Mac works. It’s the brains behind the operation of your computer, and it helps you manage what’s on your screen, find files and apps, and connect with other devices. macOS runs on all Apple computers, including their desktops (iMac's) and Laptops (MacBook's).


The latest version of Mac OS is called Monterey. Previous releases have been given many names, ranging from the very early ‘Big Cats’ (Mountain Lion, Mavericks, etc.) to the more recent California Mountains (High Sierra, Yosemite, etc).


iOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc. It was first released in 2007 with the launch of iPhone and iPad devices. The latest version of iOS is called iOS 14, and the Apple Watch is watchOS 8. These OS versions were kept simple with just numbers.


The significant benefit of the iOS operating system is that it’s the most secure on the market. It keeps devices and apps safe from viruses, malware, and other security threats.





3. Android (Google)



Technology Coach Blog - A Quick Guide to Operating Systems Android Example

Android OS is the world's most widely used mobile operating system, especially in developing countries. It was developed by Google to rival Apple's iOS in 2008.

It can be found on many brands of smartphones and tablets like Samsung, Motorola, LG, Lenovo, and many more.


The main advantage of Android over iOS is that it has a much greater range of devices available on the market at any given time than Apple does with their iPhones and iPads. This means that you are more likely to find an Android device that will meet your needs and is very popular due to its lower price. Still, there are many other reasons why you should use Android.


Since Android is open source, it means that anyone can modify the operating system as they see fit, allowing them to add new features and make improvements where needed. This means that even though you may be using an older model phone or tablet, more recent versions may be available for download from the Google Play Store for free! Especially useful if your device doesn’t have an internet connection or is running out of storage space when downloading updates or storing photos on your device’s memory card.



Each major Android release had been named in alphabetical order after sugary treats, from the first, Cupcake. Jelly Bean, KitKat, and Oreo, to name a few.

In 2019, Android ditched the 'Sweet Codenames' and began to just use numbers. The latest version on the market is Android 13, Released in August 2022.

You can find a full list of the released versions here





Conclusion:


Each operating system has its own unique features. It is essential to research the different operating systems before making a decision.


Are you in a profession that requires you to use specific software? Or is it just a computer to ‘google’ on? The type of computer you choose to buy and the operating system that it runs can help you determine what kind of software you should be running.


It is important to research what types of operating systems run these particular software programs and /or will meet your needs as the user.


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