Operating System Versions

• Apple
  
  Microsoft Windows has been around for a while now. The most current version of Microsoft's operating system is Microsoft Windows Vista. However, Microsoft has announced a new operating system that is due to come out on October 22, 2009 named Microsoft Windows 7.
  
  As of August 30, 2009, Apple has released its most current operating system dubbed Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard is basically a recoded version of OS X Leopard with a couple of added features. Before Snow Leopard and Leopard, Apple used a different operating system, OS X Tiger.
  
  

Requirements

• Apple's most current operating system, Snow Leopard, has some more specific hardware requirements than previous versions of OS X. Most importantly, the processor requirement. Apple has required that only computers using an Intel processor be able to run Snow Leopard. This eliminates many of Apple's older computers such as their G5 and G4 lines from being eligible for this operating system.
  
  Microsoft Windows has been somewhat more generous Windows Vista and Windows 7 compatibility. All Microsoft requires to run Windows 7 and Windows Vista is at least a 1GHz processor, 1GB RAM, and 16GB free hard drive space. These requirements will work with the majority of PCs both old and new.
  
  

Hardware Compatibility

• Apple Bootcamp
  
  Apple's OS X can only be installed and run on Apple computers. This is due to built-in security encryption from Apple. Apple does not want people installing OS X on PC computers. Many people have found away around this by making modded copies of OS X that are compatible with PCs. This procedure is not legal.
  
  Microsoft Windows operating systems work much differently from Apple. Microsoft does not officially make their own computers. Microsoft is mainly a software manufacturer who distributes Microsoft Windows to be used on PCs such as Dell, HP and Gateway. However, Microsoft does make some hardware components such as mice and keyboards.
  
  Oddly enough, Microsoft Windows can be run on Apple computers via Apple's Bootcamp Utility or a virtual software solution such as Parallels or VMware Fusion.
  
  

Software Compatibility

• Operating systems like OS X and Windows are the backbone software of the computer. It is through these operating systems that other software can be run. For the most part, Microsoft Windows has a lot more software that can be run on it. Although OS X has been expanding and making itself available to outside software developers, it still does not have the software compatibility that Windows offers. Example: For the most part, every piece of software will be available for Windows. However, only about half the software out there will be compatible with OS X.
  
  

Operating System Design and Functionality

• For the most part, both OS X and Windows are good operating systems. In terms of which operating system is better is all going to be a preference. Many people are Windows gurus and hate Apple and OS X. Alternatively, many people are Mac people and do not like Windows.
  
  Generally speaking, OS X has an advantage in terms of simplicity and ease of use. Because OS X is designed to work only with Apple computers, it works well with Apple components as well. For example, syncing your iPhone or iPod with OS X is as painless as it gets. Microsoft Windows has an advantage in versatility. Every PC has the capability of running Microsoft WIndows, and Intel Macs have the capability of running Microsoft Windows. Also, you can custom build a PC and install Windows. You cannot custom build a computer and install OS X, unless it is done illegally.