If you’re reading this, you probably know that there are a number of different operating systems available for your personal computers, tablets, smartphones, and other devices.
Each operating system has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand the different options so you can choose the best one for your needs.
You might be considering switching from an existing device to a new model, and in that case it’s important to understand what operating system is supported by your old device so you won’t be locked into an incompatible version.
However, if you are just deciding which operating system to buy and not planning on switching devices anytime soon, we’ve got some helpful information below that will help you make the right decision.
What is an Operating System?
An operating system (OS) is the software that manages hardware and software components that make up a computer’s hardware and software architecture, including the hardware and software needed to operate the computer.
The OS controls various functions such as the way the computer reads, writes, and displays data. Many programs will let you choose the type of OS you want, including Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS, Amazon’s Kindle, and Google’s Android. You can also choose between free and commercial operating systems.
How to Choose an Operating System?
There are a few ways to choose an operating system. The first is which is the newest. This is the most subjective choice as newer operating systems tend to be newer versions of older operating systems and not always the latest version.
You could end up with an operating system that’s only a few months old and still has bugs that need fixing. Another way to choose an operating system is by which one has the most options when it comes to hardware and software.
This one is a little more objective as you can look at which one has the most hardware and software options supported by a device such as an laptop, smartphone, or tablet.
If you are just deciding which operating system to buy and not planning on switching devices anytime soon, we’ve got some helpful information below that will help you make the right decision.
Which Operating System Are You Looking At?
The first thing to keep in mind is which operating system is right for your specific device. For example, if you are looking at installing a new device such as a laptop or a new smartphone, see if there is an option to “upgrade” to the new device’s OS from an old machine.
If not, you will be locked into an old operating system and will be forced to spend money on updates that may no longer be needed as the new OS comes along. This is a particular issue with Android devices, as they are often not upgraded to the new operating system.
Windows
Windows is the most widely-used operating system on earth, and it is also the most outdated. For years, Microsoft has been releasing updates to Windows without tagging them as “major” or “minor,” so people have been stuck with old, unsupported versions of Windows.
However, Windows 10, released in late 2015, is the first Windows release to be supported by a majority of the hardware on the market, meaning most people will be able to use it without buying a new computer.
However, things don’t stop there — in March 2018, Microsoft also released Windows 10 “Threshold 2,” which is supported by over 90% of the devices on the market.
This means that devices that don’t have the new operating system pre-installed will still be able to connect to the internet via a Windows computer, and only those devices upgraded to Threshold 2 will be able to connect to the internet.
MacOS
Here is another operating system that is more than 30 years out of date. However, Apple’s operating system is still the most used desktop OS in the world, as well as the most used mobile OS.
And it’s also the one that is the most supported by older devices. Why support an old operating system when you can support an old computer?
Because more and more people are moving to computers that run on “old-fashioned” tech such as laptops, netbooks, and tablets rather than new, high-speed computers that have replaced the mainframe and Microcomputers of the 1960s and 1970s.
That means there is a wide range of hardware out there that can run Mac OS — from relatively old Macs to modern Mac Pros, as well as Mac Mini and iMacs.
Linux
Here is a system that was designed for computers that don’t have a lot of memory or processing power, usually servers. However, there are Linux distributions that are optimized for smartphones, including Android-based ones, so there is some potential for it to become the de-facto OS for those devices as well.
However, it can also be used on computers with less than 2GB of memory, so it’s not the most versatile OS around.
iOS/Android/BlackBerry
Here is the one we have been waiting for — the operating system to take on all of the above! iOS and Android are hugely popular with consumers and are used on millions of devices.
However, neither are optimized for theather-screen form-factor of a smartphone. That’s where Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android are different. Both iOS and Android run on relatively old devices with small screens.
On the other hand, BlackBerry is a different story. The last BlackBerry device released was the Q5, and it runs on a specialized platform that runs on the Keyone — a $699 device with a 5,000mAh battery that is only available through carrier partnerships.
Summary
There are a number of different OSes available for computers, smartphones, and other devices, and each has advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to understand which OS you are likely to use for your devices so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
There are also many options when it comes to updating your operating system. Some operating systems are supported by all devices, while others need to be upgraded only on newer devices.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing an operating system, so make sure you carefully consider the different factors listed above before making your decision.