10 Operating Systems that Made a Difference

An Operating System is software that manages and provides services programs to run on a hard ware.

The entire world’s computer hardware owes a lot to the Operating Systems supporting them. Any good

computing device should have an operating system that makes optimal use of the hardware available

maximizing its efficiency.

Based on the type of usage, computing devices include Desktops, Laptops, Mobiles and Tablets which

have different kinds of operating systems. We have put together a list of the most popular Operating

Systems from the recent past, across all devices.

1. Windows 7

To make up for the debacle that was Windows Vista, Microsoft released Windows 7 in 2009. It

was widely accepted and is the most widely used Windows operating system with a market

share of 56% of all desktop computers. The smooth interface and Aero (Glass textured) made

this operating system look great and it performed even better.

2. Mac OS X

This operating system runs only on Apple laptops (called the Macbooks) and desktops (called

the iMac). It has a buttery smooth interface that Apple is famous for. It comes preloaded on all

Apple computers since 2002. It is the successor of the Mac OS 9 and is the second most widely

used operating system in the world.

3. Windows XP

Windows XP released in 2001 and has ever since been the most widely used and the most

successful operating system until 2009. The market share of XP is very high in India and China

and is used by many banks and in ATMs. After providing support for 13 long years, Microsoft

stopped giving updates and support to Windows XP, forcing all networks and offices to upgrade.

Nevertheless, Windows XP is a great Operating System to run on computers with low

specifications, even today.

4. Android

Before Android was owned by Google, it was the concept of a group of likeminded individuals

who wanted to simplify the mobile operating system. Android was the brain child of Andy Rubin

and when Google took over, he moved to Google to work on Android. Android is the most

widely used Mobile Phone operating system in the world today and the best part is, it is

completely free. Android is also not limited to Mobile Phones but also expands into Televisions,

Wearables, Automobiles and Tablets.

5. Windows 10

Owing to the insipid response to Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, Microsoft sat down to make

amends. To improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, Microsoft is offering Windows 10 as a

free upgrade to all existing Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 users. This Over the Air upgrade will

be available for a year after which Windows 10 has to be purchased.

6. Ubuntu

Ubuntu enjoys a huge fan base across the world owing to it being a freeware. Ubuntu is free for

anyone who wants to use it and is as smooth and competent as any other paid operating

system. Ubuntu encourages people to use it, improve it and distribute it for free. It is also

critically acclaimed and many enthusiasts and firms use Ubuntu as their default operating

system.

7. Windows 8/8.1

After the highly successfully Windows 7, Windows 8 was a disappointment. Many cited the lack

of the familiar start button and also most of the interface being tweaked for tablets. Critics

claimed that Windows 8 would only be perfect for a touch screen PC or a windows tablet and

not a true successor of Windows 7. The large Tile interface was given precedence over the

familiar desktop icons.

8. iOS

As the popular ad tagline goes “If you don’t have an iPhone, well you DON’T have an iPhone!”

The success of the iPhone can be attributed, though not entirely, to the operating system called

the iOS. Even the iPad owes most of its success and popularity to the iOS. It is closed nature

software and not many customization options are available. But it is very smooth and extremely

user friendly. With every new update, Apple is perfecting all the features for iOS, making the

iPhone the most desirable mobile on the planet.

9. Windows Phone

Nokia Lumia series made the Windows Phone popular. Nokia, now owned by Microsoft changed

the Lumia series into Microsoft Lumia and continues to enjoy success. The drawbacks however

are the non-availability of official Google apps like YouTube and the outdated versions of all the

popular apps like WhatsApp.

10. Chrome OS

Google had a great idea of implementing a browser as an operating system. Chrome OS that is

mostly run on Google branded notebooks called the Chrome Books, has a browser interface and

is primarily used for internet browsing. With the ever increasing huge library of apps for Google

Chrome, Chrome OS is the future for all computers which have technical specifications.

Whichever computing device you chose, make sure you decide on your OS first. You can buy OS at

online websites which offer warranties and discounts. Buy yours today.