Windows 7 and OSX Snow Leopard Compared
Apple has released new versions of their OSX Operating System on an almost annual basis since 10.0. Microsoft, on the other hand, will go 2-4 years between releases, and in the past tried to differentiate completely between Consumer and Business versions (see Windows 2000 and NT). This has always meant that Windows features were usually added in Service Packs, whereas Apple was adding functionality in what they classified as a “new” OS. Arguments can be made for and against both companies as far as what should constitute a new OS install, but that’s not the point today. Since both OSes look to release in the Fall of this year, it’s a perfect time to compare the two. I won’t hit on every major and minor feature, just a few I find interesting.
Price
W - $119 to $320
SL - $29
32 vs 64 bit
W – both
SL – both
RAM
W – 4 to 192 gigabytes depending on version (why would they limit the amount of RAM the OS can access?)
SL – 16 exabytes
Release date
W – 10/22/09
SL – 9/09
Versions
W – 6 (Technically more, but consumers will only see 3 for the most part - Starter, Home Premium, Professional)
SL – 1
Native Exchange 2007 Support
W – No
SL – Yes
Network Backup
W – Professional Edition or better
SL – Yes
Built in Productivity
W – Windows Media Player, DVD Player, Paint, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Media Center
SL – iTunes, DVD Player, Front Row, iCal, iChat, Mail, Photo Booth
Compatible hardware
W – Any x86 based hardware meeting minimum requirements
SL – Any Intel based Apple manufactured hardware meeting minimum requirements
One thing I’m interested to seeing more of is the new Windows Explorer (I don’t use my Virtual 7 machine very often). One of the gripes I’ve had with OSX is that I never really got used to the heirarchy of their folders and the view, even though it logically seems to make more sense. When using Explorer in Vista, I had a hell of a time getting around for the first few days and never really liked it. I’m more of a XP view kinda guy since it didn’t change dramatically from previous versions of Windows.
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