M1: Compare the features and functions of different operating systems

Desktop OS vs Mobile OS

Mobile operating systemDesktop operating system

A desktop operating system manages the hardware and software resources of the system. In a desktop computer, these resources include such things as the processor, memory, disk space and more (On a cell phone, they include the keypad, the screen, the address book, the phone dialer, the battery and the network connection. It provides a stable, consistent way for applications to deal with the hardware without having to know all the details of the hardware.

A mobile operating system (mobile OS) is software that allows smartphones, tablet PCs and other devices to run applications and programs. A mobile operating system typically starts up when a device powers on, presenting a screen with icons or tiles that present information and provide application access. Mobile operating systems also manage cellular and wireless network connectivity, as well as phone access. Examples of mobile device operating systems include Apple IOS, Google Android, Microsoft Windows Phone and more

About mobile operating systems

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The Apple iOS multi-touch, multi-tasking operating system is what runs the Apple's iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. It responds to the user's touch - allowing you to tap on the screen to open a program, pinch your fingers together to minimize or enlarge an image, or swipe your finger across the screen to change pages. The Apple iOS is not allowed to be used in third party systems, so you will only be able to use it on products made by Apple. It comes with the Safari web browser for internet use, an iPod application for playing music and Apple's Mail for managing your missives

Android OS is owned by Google and powered by the Linux kernel, which can be found on a wide range of devices. Android is an open source operating system which allows developers to access unlocked hardware and develop new programs as they wish. Some of the best features of Android include the ability to customize multiple home screens with useful widgets and apps that give you quicker, easier access to the content and functions you most care about. It also has an excellent capacity for multitasking - with the ability to close programs simply swiping them away.

Microsoft released its latest version of the Windows platform for mobiles in late 2010, which has been redesigned and rebuilt from the ground up with a greater emphasis on the user experience. It is recognizable by its tile-based interface - dubbed Metro - which features removable and interchangeable squares sections on the home screen, each with its own purpose and function. It also has aggregators called 'hubs', that group together all photos from all applications, or all music into one library, meaning your Facebook photos can be found with your camera photos and your documents from different sources grouped together in one, easy to access location.

Operating Systems

Linux is freely available to anyone with Internet access.Windows First Windows operating system WIMP was simply an application – a user interface that runs on top of MS-DOS operating system DOS Non-graphical line-oriented command or menu driven operating system, with relatively simple interface. MAC OS a parallel system of software developed by Apple for those users who choose not to follow the IBM-PC hardware routeCommand Line and GUI OS responded to individual commands keyed in by user.

Comparing operating systemsFeatures Mac OSX mountain

lionWindows 8 Comparison

User Interface Apple doesn’t make too many changes to OS X instead introducing incremental upgrades every year . The latest version retains the familiar taskbar full of icons at the bottom of the screen. Mountain introduced notification centre

The focus is on larger finger-friendly live tiles and finger friendly menus.

Windows bring in a whole new operating system, whereas lion don’t make any drastic changes at all

Software Mac os supports the same programs but has the edge over windows due to versatility. It has better tools for organizing email into different folders and categories unlike windows 8. Apples Mail app supports POP 3

Windows has email clients that support Microsoft Exchange, Active sync, Yahoo, Gmail and Hotmail

Both operating systems have the tools to get going on day one, but apple have the edge over windows for the mail app feature

Different editions Mountain lion costa around £14 to upgrade, a lot less than windows 8

None are cheap, the standard version costs around £70. Pro software £108

Apples upgrade price is cheaper than any of window 8’s offerings

Business Features Apples lack of different OS X versions means its not quite as stacked with business features like windows 8

Microsoft has its roots in business, so its no surprise that Pro and enterprise versions are packed with features designed to thrive in the office

Microsoft is definitely preferred over apple for its wide range of business applications

Performance Using apple devices guarantees a base level performance when running OS and there's never sluggishness when using apple devices

Microsoft has worked hard to make windows 8 run at acceptable levels on a huge variety of devices, and the versatility of the new os is commendable.