Linux server market share 2012

Learning Team Operating Systems Comparison Rough Draft

Irfan Chaudhry

Russel Bent

Ken Catuncan

Omar Ganda

Richard Bohaty

POS/355

3/21/2016

Joseph Fischer

Running head: LEARNING TEAM OPERATING SYSTEMS COMPARISON ROUGH

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LEARNING TEAM OPERATING SYSTEMS COMPARISON ROUGH

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Learning Team Operating Systems Comparison Rough Draft

Introduction

UNIX, Linux, Mac OS, and Microsoft Windows are the major operating systems used. UNIX is a multitasking and multiuser operating system, which was developed in 1970. Linux is an operating system that belongs under free and open-source software, which was first launched in 1991. Mac OS is an operating system that is based on graphical user interface, which was developed in 1996 by Apple Inc. Microsoft Windows, is an operating system that has multifamily, and each family is used in a particular sector of the computing industry. Microsoft Windows have dominated the global personal computer market with a market share of over 90%. However, in 2014 Android has dominated the market due to the tremendous growth of smartphones.

Cost Comparison

Microsoft Windows has a higher licensing cost compared to UNIX, Linux, and Mac OS. Mac has unlimited licensing, unlike Windows, which has updating fee. Linux and UNIX have no cost in licensing where customers can buy and update the operating systems free of charge. Linux and UNIX software are free that allows users to share, modify, and study them free of charge. Whereas, Mac OS and Windows are owned by a single person cannot be redistributed by the user of being modified without charges. Windows is readily available in the market, unlike the other operating systems that are found in some areas. Also, Windows has a broad range of business application software that can support the OS (Silberschatz2011).

Windows has a high cost in matching its applications on other systems. Users face a high cost of changing from other operating systems to Windows. The migration cost discourages most users most to change to Windows. Mac is cheap in maintenance compared to other operating systems. It has a low user friction interface, high productivity, and better security, support cost. Also, Linux and Unix have low maintenance cost, good security, and an exceptional stability compared to Windows. Unix has very expensive hardware compared to Linux, Mac, and Windows. Mac Hardware is relatively expensive but they last longer compared to others (Silberschatz 2011).

Market Share Comparison

Windows is leading in the workstation market. It holds more than 90% of the market share in the global market. Mac OS is the second with about 10% market share. UNIX and Linux tie together with an equal percentage of market shares that is minimal. However, Linux and UNIX have a large proportion in server market compared to Windows and Mac OS. They have more than 50% market share on a server platform. In workstation market, Windows XP is leading with 63% share followed by Vista at 23% market share. XP and Vista are under Microsoft Windows (LakkaMichalakelis, Varoutas, &Martakos2013).

In various categories, Linux is leading as an operating system on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and handheld games. Linux and UNIX are leading as operating systems on the server or the web. In supercomputers, Linux is leading with more than 90% market share. UNIX is leading on Mainframe as the dominating operating system. Windows is dominating in gaming console support system. In workstations, Windows is dominating in the market (LakkaMichalakelis, Varoutas, &Martakos 2013).

Market Trend Comparison

Windows have dominated the market for a long time but in the past few years, it has declined in some platforms. It still bears the leadership flag in the workstation market. However, Linux and Mac OS dominate the graphic inset in the market. Mac sales have increased recently due to its new model that can support Windows. Consumers in their personal computers mostly use Mac OS. Nevertheless, lately, Mac OS has gained its entry in the business sector. Linux and UNIX have demonstrated continuous growth in the server market. Also, Windows have recently increased its share in the server market (LakkaMichalakelis, Varoutas, &Martakos 2013).

Pros and Cons

Windows has a high compatibility level with various applications, drivers, and games. Also, it has a good technical support; since it has many users a problem can be solved by a nearby person or from the Internet. It also has various disadvantages. Microsoft Windows has a number of malware that attacks the software. The user requires buying an antivirus to protect his or her software and documents. The system is slow, for example, Vista that requires a big memory, processor, and disk space to start operating. The price of a Windows operating system is very high (Neteler, Bowman, Landa, & Metz 2012).

Mac OS have advantages that make it conversant to many users. It has no infections of viruses thus; users do not risk their documents and software. It is reliable because it rarely has software or hardware crushing cases. This advantage is promoted by the fact that Mac OS only runs on Apple computers. Mac is more attractive than Windows, which act as an advantage in the market. However, it has disadvantages that make many customers run away from this OS. Mac is very expensive, and many people cannot afford the system. It is limited to Apple computers whereas not every person has this kind of a PC. Mac has a low compatibility level. Only a few applications and programs can run on it (Neteler, Bowman, Landa, & Metz 2012).

Linux and UNIX are free which allow users to download, share, and modify them without spending money. They are available in varieties that allow customers to choose the one that works for them. They have very few cases of virus infections. They require low maintenance. However, it has disadvantages. It is complicated, low compatibility levels, and not available in many markets (Neteler, Bowman, Landa, & Metz 2012).

Conclusion

The overall selection of an operating system is based on the requirements of the activities the user intends to perform. Apple's OSXs fast video processing and editing has been the OS of choice for graphic designers and producers. Microsoft Windows support for graphics accelerators, wide range of business applications, and user friendly GUI is preferred by gamers, programmers, and business users. Developers and security analysts due to the modifiable operating system, which can be tailored to the need of the analyst, have selected Linux & UNIX. It is good to try each of the operating systems to see what works best for you in the various activities you perform.

References

Lakka, S., Michalakelis, C., Varoutas, D., &Martakos, D. (2013). Competitive dynamics in the operating systems market: Modeling and policy implications. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 80(1), 88-105.

Neteler, M., Bowman, M. H., Landa, M., & Metz, M. (2012). GRASS GIS: A multi-purpose

open source GIS. Environmental Modelling & Software, 31, 124-130.

Silberschatz, G. (2011). Gagne. Operating System Concepts Essentials.