What are the operating systems for pc. What are the operating systems

Many of you may have heard that besides Windows there are other operating systems for the computer.

In this article we will do short review about the most famous representatives operating systemsand you might want to change your life by trying a different OS.

Let's start with the most common one.

Windows

Windows XP


This operating system appeared quite a long time ago, 3 Service Packs have already been released on it, and there are a lot of pirated assemblies. There are so many of them that you will hardly find one that looks like XP released by Microsoft. One of the most famous such assemblies - ZverCD - So well known that it is sold in stores, its main advantage is its ease of installation and the fact that it contains many programs that will be useful to you, including the K-Lite Codec Pack (a collection of codecs for viewing audio and Also noteworthy in it is that the drivers are installed by themselves during installation. I digress a little from the main topic. So, the pros and cons of Windows XP.

Pros:

  • The first and most important plus of Windows XP is that you are used to it. You know how to use it, you almost never have problems with it, and if there is, then hackers are to blame, weak computer, slow internet - in general, everything except. Also, you are very accustomed to its interface, which will most likely be uncomfortable with others.
  • The second, important plus - they release most programs and games. Of course they can be run on other operating systems, but it will be more difficult than on.

Minuses:

  • Windows xp requires more resources than other operating systems, and does not have as abundance of settings as other systems.
  • Programs for it are mostly paid, that is, you have to either pay or live, knowing that you are using illegal software (of course, for many programs there are free alternatives, which are not always very different in functionality. They do not use them mainly because of not knowing about them or because of the same habit).

Windows 7



Now let’s stop thinking about the past and see what we have now. Windows 7 has resolved many of the problems that Windows XP had, a lot of amenities that make you happy, and along with this, new problems have appeared.

Pros:

  • There is an improved visualization (ease of use, desktop widgets).
  • Now, when you insert a device, Windows 7 will immediately install a driver for it from the Internet for you.

Minuses:

  • Despite the changes, windows is windows. Therefore, the disadvantages are the same as for XP.

Linux


* nix is \u200b\u200ba similar operating system created by student Linus Torvald. Significantly different from Windows, used mainly by programmers or for servers. But there are not only distributions for servers and programmers, but also for ordinary users, so why do most people use Windows, and not a licensed one? Elementary, because, I'm not afraid to repeat myself, people are used to Windows, and some have no time to retrain. We really would have to retrain if we lived, for example, in 2005. Now we have released a sufficient number of distributions to choose the right one. There is even one that has the same interface as Windows. But we will focus on the most common and most suitable distribution kit for ordinary users - Ubuntu.

Ubuntu 10.04


I decided to take the latest LTS (Long Term Support) version, because it is significantly different from the previous ones - this is Ubuntu 10.04 lucid lynx. It solves the main Linux problem - Internet connection. Unlike previous versions, this one does not need to be configured, you just install the Wicd program, click the "connect" button and you have Internet access. Internet access is very important on Ubuntu, updates are released almost weekly, also with each installation of an English-language program, you can check if there is a Russian language for it by going to the language settings and installing all updates there. Also, compared to previous versions, the number of problems has decreased. A new version Ubuntu comes out every six months, which is also important. Now let's move on to the pros and cons.

Pros:

  • Ubuntu starts many times faster than Windows. You can also change the user quickly enough.
  • There is no need to manually install drivers, it is possible to connect different sources to update the system and applications.
  • There will be almost no problems with downloading and installing applications, you do not need to go into the browser to find and download the program, just go to one of the application management managers, find the desired application there and install it.
  • Lots of settings. You can customize the system completely for yourself. The interface is customizable to the smallest detail. Also, there are many sites on which all the configuration processes are described. One of them is Ubuntology. It describes everything starting from the installation.
  • Some programs have been ported from Windows to Ubuntu. That is, you can safely use your favorite browser Opera / Mozilla Firefox/ Google Chrome on Ubuntu, talk through your usual Skype and Mail.ru Agent.
  • No viruses. This means that you do not need to install an antivirus. There are dangerous terminal commands that you can accidentally run from the Internet, but it all depends on your attentiveness. Also, Ubuntu has a built-in Firewall.
  • Codecs for audio and video Ubuntu offers to download as needed. This is why an Internet connection is so important.

Minuses:

  • Setting up Ubuntu may seem daunting and time-consuming to you, because it is often the case. You can do without it, but to really enjoy Ubuntu, you'll have to go through a setup process.
  • In fact, there are few ported programs. In order for you to use the same programs as on Windows, you will have to install one of the programs intended for this (for example, Wine), configure libraries, fonts, install the Directx driver, if necessary. Or install Windows on virtual machine... In general, again the setting.
  • Not all programs can be installed from the Application Center. Some will have to be downloaded from the Internet manually, and some of them are not in deb format (Debian installation package, installation is similar to exe installation), but in tar.bz2 format, that is, in archives. You will have to unpack and install them manually.
  • Game lovers may have problems. Of course, there are many games released on Ubuntu, but in order for you to access your Steam, for example, you will have to either install Windows on a virtual machine or configure Wine.

Also, after this version, Ubntu 10.10 and 11.04 were released, but nothing new, except for an alternative graphical shell Unity, which could be added to the pros or cons did not appear.

Mac OS


An operating system created by Apple Corporation. We will not analyze it in detail, we will describe it in general terms, without affecting individual distributions, since not everyone can afford it, only if it is a pirated copy, which is not so easy to install. The operating system itself is not sold separately, it is sold only with laptops and desktop computers Apple. One such laptop will cost you about 50,000 rubles, it is clear that there is an overpayment for the brand, but despite the price they are being bought, it means that there is something remarkable in it.

Pros:

  • Nice interface. Everything in it is designed to make it convenient for you to use it.
  • No viruses. Even if they are, there is a powerful defense system.
  • Well-known programs that exist on Windows are usually released for the Mac, because it is more profitable for developers than to release them on Linux.

Minuses:

  • Price. Due to the high price tag, it is less affordable than Windows and Linux.
  • Not all games released for Windows are released for Mac.

Conclusion


Of course, it would be ideal to take a Mac, but because of its price, our target audience is unlikely to be able to afford it. As far as Linux is concerned, although Ubuntu is considered the friendliest for casual users, it is still Linux. There are enough cons. With Linux, there have always been and will be problems for ordinary users who are accustomed to Windows. Therefore, if you do not want to say goodbye to your calm life on Windows and move on to a hectic life with Ubuntu, then this system is for you. In other words, Ubuntu is an operating system that you have to tinker with if you use your computer for more than just accessing the Internet.

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Their list has greatly increased even over the past 5 years, especially due to the increase in the number mobile devices... What are their features, how do they differ, what are their advantages and disadvantages?

System classification

They differ from each other in different parameters, in particular, in the distribution of functions between computers. Operating system classes and networks themselves are:

  • peer-to-peer;
  • double-ranked (have dedicated servers).

There are computers that provide their resources to others. In this case, they act as a network server. The other is their client. Computers can perform one or the second function, or they can be combined together. The operating system must at the same time meet the needs of the buyer.

List of the most demanded systems

What are the most popular operating systems among users? The list looks like this:

  • Windows.
  • MacOS.
  • Android.
  • Ubuntu.
  • Linux and others.

There are also less popular ones. For example Fedora or Back Track. But they are common in a rather narrow circle of specialists.

How to choose?

There are different criteria for users. This is primarily the usability and capabilities of operating systems. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Functionality is important to one, interface to second, personal data safety guarantee to third. for PCs, the list of which is longer than those developed for mobile devices, differ from the latter in their requirements for the machine.


They offer their users a different level of comfort and innovative solutions, in many respects the choice is due to the person's profession.

Windows features

New operating systems have emerged in recent years. The list of the most popular ones was supplemented by Android and IOS. However, it is the Windows OS that remains the most demanded in the world, as before.

It is not only the most popular operating system, but also the most comfortable to use, great for beginners. Schoolchildren, office workers and people of all ages - almost all of them use Windows operating systems. Linux is traditionally used by specialized professionals.

pros

The key advantages of the popularly beloved Windows are the following factors:

  • user-friendly interface;
  • a large number of quality softwarewhich can be installed free of charge;
  • ease of installation and configuration;
  • ease of administration of server rooms.

Cons of Windows

Most versions of Windows are paid operating systems. The list can be found in open sources. High software cost - key flaw Windows.


Another disadvantage is the instability and vulnerability of the entire OS family to all sorts of malware.

Latest version

How much does Windows 10 cost? It all depends on whether the version will be home or professional. In the first case, the cost will be about 6 thousand rubles, and in the second - about 10 thousand.

The last modification, like the previous one, can have a classic interface or the same as that of the "eight", when you can switch icons on the desktop.

Answering the logical answer to the question of how much Windows 10 costs, by the fact that the cost is not small, we must warn: do not rush to worry. After all, the license that is provided to the user does not have a final validity period. But software such as online games, antiviruses or Office requires regular updates for a fee.

Traditionally, if you have a previous licensed version of Windows installed on your computer, you can update it to the latest version for free.

Previous Windows OS

Despite the release of new software, there are those who are comfortable using the previous ones. Different versions of operating systems have their own advantages. Now, along with the "ten", many continue to use the "eights" and "sevens".

Windows 7 came out back in 2009. It included both developments from the previous "Vista", and completely new solutions that relate to the interface and embedded programs. Some software was excluded - games, applications, a number of technologies, and more.

"Seven" has several editions:

  • initial;
  • home basic;
  • home extended;
  • corporate;
  • professional;
  • maximum.

The next version of the operating system, Windows 8, was released in 2012. Its main innovation was a redesigned interface that was more responsive to work on mobile devices. Today this product of the company is the most sold.

Outdated versions

There are once popular, but now almost forgotten operating systems. The list of them can be started with Windows 95, it was with this version that many started working with a PC at one time. After it came the no less popular Windows 98. The next system - Windows 2000 - came out at the turn of the millennium and was intended for use on devices with 32-bit processors.

However, the real popularity was found by Windows XP, which appeared in 2001. She only recently lost her primacy to the seventh and eighth versions. For more than 10 years, it was XP that users preferred to install on their computers and laptops.

The subsequent user version was Vista, but its functionality and features, according to experts, were extremely weak, which is why it did not gain popularity.

Other operating systems for computers

However, not everyone uses Windows. There are other PC operating systems as well. Their list includes, in particular, macOS, Linux Ubuntu and other modifications. They are mainly used by narrow-profile specialists.


Ubuntu was built with linux based... Its interface looks a lot like a Mac, but the overall style is similar to Windows. Users appreciated the usability, stability and the fact that the OS can be obtained for free. They also like the speed of the machine. But Ubuntu also has disadvantages - a small amount of software, games, and complex scheme administration.

MacOS is an operating system developed by Apple for its own computers. It is called a premium user product - it has a beautiful design, user-friendly interface and excellent multimedia capabilities. But this solution is far from affordable for everyone, because both the computers themselves and the Apple brand OS, in comparison with others, are incredibly expensive.


Also for PCs, some use Linux. This system is free, stable, and has a lot of built-in software. However, despite all these advantages, it requires high user skills. Therefore, Linux is most often installed by programmers, networkers and other specialists.

Work on mobile devices

As you know, more and more users prefer to use the Internet not from laptops and PCs, but from mobile devices - smartphones and tablets. There are operating systems that are designed specifically for them. The most common are Android and IOS. But "Symbian" has already lost its former popularity, since its capabilities can no longer cover the needs of users.

In the first place in terms of quantity, by a large margin is "Android". After all, if IOS is an OS created specifically for Apple devices, then the second can work on smartphones and tablets of other brands, for example:

  • Samsung.
  • Sony.
  • Lenovo and others.

"Android" has a convenient interface for its users, allows them to use high-quality software in large quantities for free. It is suitable not only for smartphones and tablets, but also for modern “smart TVs”. Devices based on this OS can be independently reflashed and changed to work.


But IOS, which is an Apple product, is considered to be more stable and much faster, providing customers with a good multimedia experience. But compared to "Android", it is more expensive, since there is very little free software in it. And what is provided for money is very expensive.

About 10 years ago and earlier, those who used the Internet on mobile phones, actively used the Symbian system, which was a joint development of the leading manufacturers at that time (Nokia, Motorola and others). It works now, but, compared to IOS and Android, it is not able to cope with the tasks that the current owners of mobile devices set themselves.

Other operating systems

In addition to common operating systems for computers and mobile devices, there are lesser known ones, many of them are based on Linux and require high level custom skills. Fedora is one such system. It is highly stable, practically does not fall in terms of work. You can forget about freezes, sudden overloads and other problems forever.

There are also specific operating systems. For example, Back Track. This system is free and used by hackers all over the world. Most of the hacks were carried out thanks to Back Track. It was originally optimized to obtain unauthorized access to download data from a particular computer.


People who are far from the computer sphere know little about the features of operating systems and their real number. On laptops or computers, they install Windows, iPhones are equipped with their own software, and on other smartphones or tablets, Android is installed by default.

But there are other systems, they are generally not intended for a wide range of reasons due to their characteristics. The choice of one or another OS depends primarily on the tasks that a person sets for himself.

So what exactly is an operating system on a computer? The OS is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages memory, processes, and all software and hardware. We can say that the OS is the bridge between the computer and the person. Because without an operating system, a computer is useless.

Apple Mac OS X

Mac OS is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes preinstalled on all new Macintosh or Mac computers. The latest versions of this operating system are known as OS X... Namely Yosetime (released in 2014), Mavericks (2013), Mountine Lion (2012), Lion (2011), and Show leopard (2009). There is also Mac OS X Serverwhich is designed to run on servers.

According to the general statistics of StatCounter Global Stats, the percentage of Mac OS X users is 9.5% of the operating system market, as of September 2014. This is much lower than the percentage windows users (nearly 90% ). One of the reasons for this is that Apple computers are very expensive.


Linux

Linux is a family of open source operating systems source code... This means that they can be modified (changed) and spread by any person around the world. This is very different from others like Windows, which can only be modified and redistributed by the owner (Microsoft). The advantages of Linux are that it is free and there are many different versions to choose from. Each version has its own look, and the most popular of them are Ubuntu, Mint and Fedora.

Linux is named after Linus Torvalds, who laid the foundation for Linux in 1991.

According to the general statistics of StatCounter Global Stats, the percentage of Linux users is less than 2% of the operating system market, as of September 2014. However, due to the flexibility and ease of configuration, most servers run on Linux.


Operating systems for mobile devices

All the operating systems that we talked about above are designed for desktop and laptop computers such as a laptop. There are operating systems that are designed specifically for mobile devices such as phones, and MP3 players, for example, Apple, IOS, Windows Phoneand Google Android. In the picture below, you can see Apple iOS running on the iPad.

Of course, they are inferior in functionality to computer operating systems, but they are still capable of performing many basic tasks. For example, watching movies, browsing the web on the Internet, launching applications, games, etc.


That's all. Leave in the comments what operating system you use and why you like it

Working with a computer every day, we often do not even think about the fact that with one keystroke we force millions of tiny elements to be activated, forcing the most complex logic to work, opening and closing many hidden programs and functions. We think about the operating system only when we do not have enough functions, when new versions of the already used "OSes" are released or radically new systems are being developed. Then, in pursuit of performance, novelty and convenience, we set new system, we discover new possibilities of the information world. But what is an operating system? How does it work and what does it do at all? What types of operating systems are there, how do they differ from each other? Which operating system is best for you? We will talk about all this.

operating system

Let's start from the beginning and answer the first question. So, the operating system is a set of software toolsthat implement the processing and processing of user information to transfer it to machine logic to perform the assigned tasks. As a rule, the user imagines the operating system only as a visual shell. But he is wrong ... only half, though.
The structure of the operating system is a multi-layer cake, the bottom layer of which (like a cake) forms the core. It is a foundation committed to keeping everything under control, handling errors and commands. If you do not go into the details of the structure of the hardware component of the PC, then this "cake" lies right on the "tray", i.e. on machine logic. The top layer of the OS (like cream roses on a sweet dish loved by many) is what the user sees: images, screensaver, cursor, etc.
This software cake includes:
  • the cake itself (core), consisting, as is customary, of flour, butter, milk, etc. (that is, from auxiliary modules, which together and perform all the functions of the kernel);
  • loader - impregnation for the cake, thanks to which the cream is kept on it;
  • device drivers are butter, thanks to which our cake does not stick to one tray, but can be transferred to another, more beautiful or more convenient;
  • the command processor is a layer of nuts between the cake and the cream, which makes the cake tastier and more interesting (and the operating system is faster and more functional);
  • the interface is the very creamy roses.
In general computing system the computer has an "axis" between the built-in software of the computer (here it is, the BIOS and everything that makes the simplest commands work: addition, subtraction and shift of the register) and software applications user (here is the user area: applications, files, etc.).
What does the operating system do? In fact, she has a lot of work and she is always busy (so don't get angry with her when she makes you wait a few seconds, because she has a lot to do). She supervises the input and output of data and distributes these and tasks to various devices, loads programs into RAM and executes them, and generally manages RAM, distributing it to the right and left to various applications you run, depending on how it will be more rational to use her. The operating system also controls access to all data sources (removable and, flash-drives, etc.), protects data and itself (from hackers, malware and custom errors). All the same OS is responsible for the multitasking of your PC, provides the ability to work on the computer for many users. If you think that without an operating system we would only see a black screen and white letters with numbers, you are mistaken - we would not see this either, because the OS is already needed to display letters.
What OS are there? This question is usually answered as follows: operating systems are Windows (this also includes DOS, as a rule), MacOS and its various versions and Unix-like. In fact, the distinction between them is much more complex and wider, however, this is a slightly different story (the history of the course "Operating Systems", taught to future administrators of networks and systems). Well, we will talk about the three that have already been named, having considered them a little closer.
And we will start by telling the reader the statistics of the use of operating systems. Research has shown that as of October 2011, Unix-like systems were preferred by only 0.84% \u200b\u200bof users, while Apple's operating systems (MacOS) were used by 7.18%. Most of all users of different versions of Windows - 90.13% (the source of statistical data is the site statcounter.com). If you compare these results with those for 2010, you will notice that users are moving from Windows to other systems in small steps.
And now that we have become information-savvy, let's return to the more familiar user assessment of the software offered to us today in the form of the latest versions of operating systems.

Windows 7 operating system

The newest released operating system from Microsoft is. Windows 8, announced this year, is not yet available to users, so we cannot yet “touch” it, and we will only be able to do it next summer, according to the developers.
Evolution of Windows. It all started, as we all understand, with DOS - with a simple blue screen and white letters. Probably, this system has remained the fastest and most reliable so far, because it had a maximum connection with the hardware component and a minimum of visual effects. But it was not very functional, so it began to appear different versions: First Windows 1.01, then "Enhanced" Windows 2.03. On the first desktop PCs, we will most likely recall Windows 95, then Windows 98, with which I, for some reason, still associate the nickname "stump" and the anecdote "about the old Pentium". Windows Millenium made a big splash, from which a lot was expected, and then found itself in the same position. Windows 7 is considered a fairly stable and user-friendly system today, and it's hard to disagree with that.
Installing Windows 7 does not take long. Personal experience has shown that, if desired, a complete OS package is located on a computer in 12-15 minutes, and if desired, a smaller one - in 25-30. During installation, the user receives fairly accurate instructions about the ongoing processes and his actions, which is important for those who maintain their computer on their own, without deep knowledge in this area.


This version took a lot from the previous one - for example, demanding hardware resources... It does not promise, but it will still try to work if it has less than 1 GB random access memory for a 32-bit OS, a video adapter with a margin of less than 128 MB and supporting DirectX versions below 9. It will also require a reader and writer (here you will decide whether it is a DVD adapter or a USB connector). It is also advisable to have 16 GB of free disk space in stock, and preferably more.
System performance is high and this cannot but please the user who wants to do everything at once: to conduct network activity in 3 browsers, master the latest version, and something else. Compared to previous windows versions, then performance has become stronger hard disk, graphics are somewhat weakened. But it is perfectly compensated by the far-advanced hardware part. Considering the overall result, Windows 7 lost a couple of positions in favor.
Interface "Friendly" as the developers say. And the desktop is configured perfectly (in the figure below we can see the personalization window of the virtual workplace).


And the whole system has significantly expanded the number of settings, which is why a more experienced user is only a plus, and a less "savvy" user is not a minus.


Now the sound, display, and much more is adjusted. The operating system will certainly advise the user on what needs to be done in order to increase performance in a particular area of \u200b\u200bits work, to increase one or another of its indicators, or to solve a sudden problem with the network or program debugging.
Stability and safety. It will amuse those who always suffer from the inexperience of acquaintances and friends, the fact that errors that arise due to incorrect input or other "oversights" of the user are much better worked out. This suggests that the system as a whole has become more stable. Again I will give the readers of MirSovetov an example from personal experience: even left for 10 days without reboots and shutdowns, the system did not slow down or make mistakes more often.
In order to protect itself and the user, Windows 7 will try to check everything that can do the slightest harm to the stability and security of the PC. From now on, all storage media, programs from unknown developers and files with activity unusual for this extension are subject to careful control. As before, the OS will report to the user about each step. This will annoy many people, but believe me, this is for your own safety.
Among the main advantages of the new "operating system" should be noted:
  • multilevel security (from the most sensitive, which will sound the alarm almost every time you launch more or less harmful software, and to the most "quiet" one, notifying only that a certain program intends to make changes in the system);
  • the presence of many new functions, for example, the "Libraries" function, designed to replace the outdated "My Documents";
  • expansion of the main menu and the "Toolbar".
Among the shortcomings was another new feature - "HomeGroups", which is designed to provide entire folders to users over the network. The function is great, but it is not yet fully functional. We are waiting, as they say! It is also unpleasant that Windows XP users will not be able to upgrade to Windows 7 in any way - they either have to reinstall the system in general or use utilities that do not allow transferring already installed programs. Those. the pursuit of Windows 7 will one way or another result in installing all the software again. Also very frustrating is the fact that some device drivers are simply not suitable, although it was promised that those will be inherited from Vista.
In general, the reviewed operating system Windows 7 Professional makes an extremely pleasant impression, although the jump from Windows XP immediately to Windows 7 will be a shock for many.

Linux Mint 11

Most users of Unix-like operating systems are just some kind of "enemy camp" for Windows users. The former are not happy with Windows because of its "slowness, heaps of errors and generally eternal dampness", while the latter consider Unix systems "something extremely incomprehensible and not user-friendly." The points of view of both "opponents" are understandable, but whether they are wrong - judge for yourself.
History of Linux. The first Unixes, it is true, were not very adapted for an ordinary user, but there were not so many ordinary users at that time and they were all quite well-versed in system administration. Therefore, you should not blame the developers for the lack of decent visualization, but we should praise them for their courage, because they continued to develop that branch of operating systems, which did not really predict a good future.
A distinctive feature of Unix systems has always been that they are not monolithic like Windows: their kernel consists of many independent modules that can work independently. This allows you to "rebuild" the system right in the process of working with it, which, of course, pleases those who program at least a little. Due to its atomicity, such an "axis" works better (read more stable and faster). The process of her work is somewhat similar to picking apples: who will pick the fastest, a few gnomes or one tall and strong man? A person will simply climb one tree and collect fruits in a basket, then on another. And the gnomes will divide the garden among themselves according to the principle "1 worker - 1 tree" and do all the work at once. At the same time, fallen apples will be collected (probably several gardeners will be thrown into "land" work), and those that have just ripened at the very top of the tree (an agile and light gnome will easily reach the topmost branch).
Most Unix systems there is no one manufacturer and developer, because its codes are open and can be rewritten by anyone and in any way - such a folk art. But some versions are still developed centrally.
The history of Linux itself began with an attempt to create a free operating system as they say "from scratch" within the framework of the GNU project. Linux got its kernel from Unix and came with a lot of bells and whistles. If the first versions of this OS were console and "incomprehensible" for most users, the latter are already quite similar to Windows in appearance and functionality and even allow you to work with familiar applications for users of this OS.
The last one is taken for consideration. linux version Mint 11, released in May this year.
Installation Linux Mint is almost completely automated and will require user participation for only a few clicks: specifying the language, initial login password and network settings. Everything that happens during the installation, as well as what the user can or cannot do, the installation wizard notifies in "writing". The whole action will take no more than 10 minutes and will not require special knowledge and skills.


Linux Mint, as with all Unix systems, is minimal. 512 MB of RAM, an integrated video adapter and 5 GB of hard disk space will be enough for this OS. You will also need a DVD or USB. A 32-bit operating system will run fine on both a 32-bit and 64-bit processor.
Performance, as always on top. It is possible to compare only the 64 and 32-bit versions of the system. Despite the fact that 64 bits is an initial adaptation to increase performance, and 32 is a guarantee of compatibility, the result will be rather ambiguous: with a 32-bit "version" graphics are more efficient, but in access to data (and therefore to disks ) 64 bits are unmatched. It turns out just some kind of division of labor.
Interface more than friendly. A user who is confident in the "complexity and incomprehensibility" of Linux will simply amaze the number of different settings (from the background and screesaver to configuring updates and installing software). Settings window " appearance»OS is shown in the figure.


What does the user need from the operating system? Functionality, performance and completeness. From this point of view, Linux Mint will satisfy the needs of any user. The point is that the "axis" is supplied immediately with the minimum required set of drivers and software (by the way, the list of "built-in" programs has been changed, which we'll talk about later). Access to all the wealth of the operating system is carried out through the transformed menu, which reminded me personally of Windows 7.


Among already installed programs included:
  • browsers (in particular, Mozilla Firefox);
  • an analogue of the MS Office software package, which, by the way, allows you to save documents in different formats (from txt to docx);
  • programs for listening to music, watching videos and images, as well as for editing the latter;
  • programs for online communication (Jabber), etc.
In general, we can assume that the operating system is well-equipped. It is useful for readers of MirSovetov to know that there are no problems with installing additional software, since most programs written for Windows successfully "become" and work perfectly with Linux Mint. By the way, in our usual programs, as a rule, various "add-ons" are added, designed to make life easier for the user and to simplify information management, search and processing (such as, for example, mint-search-addon, which is built into browsers for easier and more convenient search data on different resources).
Linux Mint Security - this is, first of all, the security of all "non-Windows" systems, because most viruses are written specifically for Windows, but Linux and its brothers are left out. But besides this, of course, there are many additional tools designed to protect the user and his faithful information friend. They work for this, configure the network parameters, etc.
System stability, as already mentioned, is provided by its atomicity. The fact is that an error in one of the modules will not affect the others. Therefore, the OS will quietly enter data on the error and its causes into the event log, reload this module and start working further, and the user simply will not notice anything at all. You will not be able to observe constant notifications about errors either ... Unix is \u200b\u200bgenerally a very silent and balanced system.
The advantages should be noted as follows:
  • versus previous versionwe have significantly improved the interface and customizability;
  • the presence of a minimum set of software allows you to install the system and immediately start working with it;
  • drivers and codecs supplied with the OS are usually suitable for any initial user equipment;
  • fixed OS incompatibility with the Wi-Fi standard;
  • Linux will perfectly stand next to any other operating system and will not even think about starting to conflict with it, so you should not abandon the already familiar "axis".
Among the shortcomings, we note that we, the "generation fed on Windows", will have to work hard to get used to Linux Mint, although not much. It is not worth installing Linux without constant access to the World Wide Web, since the Internet for this OS is not only a source of information, but also a source of updates, additional software (which is extremely difficult to install from a flash drive, but from the Internet it is nowhere easier) and much more.
In general, the impression from Linux Mint is good, I will say even more: this operating system fully justified my hopes.

MacOS Lion 10.7.2

Let's start by saying: MacOS is not just an operating system, it is a lifestyle. Believe me, this phrase has good reason. The fact is that MacOS was originally adapted for "its" hardware and IBM works on the usual for us, but it does not matter very much.
MacOS history. Designed as a reliable and powerful operating system, macOS initially surprised everyone by the fact that it ran exclusively on Apple computers. "So it will be safer for her, but for you and me - calmer!" - said the developers, however, they still made a slight deviation from this rule and still allowed latest versions on any hardware part.
The first MacOS appeared in 1984, but something more or less similar to the beauty that we are used to seeing on Macs was invented only closer in 2000. At the same time, the first version was named very simply: System 1.0, but the pleasant ones “Lion”, “Leopard”, etc. - this is already the property of our times. In the process of its development, MacOS has gone from complete instability (yes, there were times when an error in the operation of one application simply turned off the entire system) to absolute reliability, multitasking and everything that we will talk about later.
Installing macOS Lion happens easily and naturally in the mode of dialogue between the user and his PC. In terms of time, we will estimate it at 10-15 minutes, which is a good indicator. It's nice to see that already during installation, the operating system behaves extremely confidently and fulfills everything within the promised time frame (she said, the files will be unpacked in 6 minutes and unpacked in 6 minutes, so Windows users will understand me). MacOS Lion also shows its unique style already at this stage, as you can see in the picture.


Hardware requirements big, but justified. There is a strict requirement regarding the hardware manufacturer - only Apple. OS will definitely ask you to put it on intel processor i3 or even newer, and will also remind you that it is worth making sure that she has in stock:
  • at least 2 GB of RAM;
  • 16 GB of hard suit stock;
  • a video card worthy of all its charms (I think, at least 512 MB, although this is not indicated in the requirements).
MacOS Lion performance directly depends on what kind of hardware you give her at her disposal. But, in any case, readers of MirSovetov should not worry about the fact that resources will be used irrationally or that the processor supporting parallelism will suddenly be out of work. Multitasking is not just built-in - everything is built on it! In general, the performance has improved in comparison with the previous version, but not much, so the user will not notice much difference.
MacOS Lion interface Is something that you can talk about for hours and days and write whole books. MacOS has always been beautiful. That is just a desktop.


"This is what a" friendly "interface is!" - said the developers and placed everything that can be urgently useful for a user in using a PC right at hand. It came out conveniently, quickly and beautifully.
The user is allowed to customize everything that "darling", for which the " System settings", Not too large-scale, but very functional: all settings are divided into categories and clearly delineated.


The operating system also comes with a set of software, therefore, having installed it, you can immediately start working. True, some more time will have to be spent to get used to all this luxury, speed and functionality, and most importantly, to the fact that there are no "familiar and favorite" (for Windows users) applications here, because this OS most of them are simply incompatible. But here there are their analogues that are not inferior to them either in convenience or in quality (for example, a beloved mozilla browser easily replaces the equally functional Safari).
MacOS Lion security is based on the fact that this OS was developed already in the era of the Internet, and therefore all possible problems are required here. Firewall and antivirus here are also their own, and built-in, of course. Well, the rule "MacOS is not a Windows" system "also works successfully. Who will write a virus targeting only 6.5% of PC users worldwide? This is not to say that there are no viruses for MacOS, but they are few.
Stability provided by the Unix FreeBSD kernel, full-fledged multitasking system, hardware stability (do not forget about the hardware platform requirement from Apple) and many years of practice of the operating system manufacturer and developers. No matter how much I tried to get this system out of myself, it only kindly informed me that such actions are beyond the boundaries of my capabilities and rights. You don't even have to worry about data or your work being lost - the autosave feature won't allow it.
The advantages of MacOS Lion can be enumerated for a long time, but we will note only those that appeared in this version and are absolute innovations:
  • control visual components made easier and more beautiful thanks to the Multi-Touch gesture system;
  • now all windows can be full-screen, which greatly simplifies data management;
  • many programs supplied with the OS have undergone qualitative changes, after which they have become more convenient, functional and beautiful;
  • the cost of this version surprises everyone who knows Apple's prices.
Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting that not all the qualitative changes in the applications turned out to be for the better. For example, the Dashboard ("widget") has deteriorated, many users complain that the calendar has become inconvenient for them.
In general, the system is very pleasant: the unique style of MacOS has not been lost, excellent changes have been made, the speed of work is impressive.

Comparing these operating systems would be inappropriate, and you can see it yourself, right? It is impossible to compare systems operating on different logic, produced and developed by different companies, and generally have practically nothing in common. The term "compare" from the point of view of operating systems is allowed within one type of system or in the case of choosing a system for yourself. If you are "comparing" them based on your desire to choose, my advice to you: make a list of what is important to you in the operating system (for example, reliability, lack of strict hardware requirements, etc.) and consider all possible options.