Okay, I have decided to post my opinions on the debate between Microsoft(www.microsoft.com) and Apple(www.apple.com) on who has the better Operating System(OS). First, let me say that as an IT professional it is important to understand both platforms. Each OS has a significant market share holding. In providing support, one will most likely come across both in his/her career.

When I compare these two companies, the thing that comes to mind is hardware. Why hardware you ask, well, because Microsoft doesn’t manufacture their own hardware like Apple does. This is a major issue. Microsoft provides compatibility with an extreme about of proprietary hardware. Also, they provide backwards compatibility for all of the supported proprietary hardware. In stark contrast, Apple does manufacture its own hardware and provides minimal backwards compatibility effort. Hum…. It is hard to say that i can even compare because the supported Hardware Compatibility Listings are very different. Microsoft doesn’t control the hardware they support. Conversely, Apple does control the hardware they support. On that point alone, the cards are stacked in favor of Apple OS.

In reality, I like both companies. But,I prefer Microsoft Windows as my primary client OS mainly because of the applications I am required to support. Secondly, because Microsoft holds the majority market share in Operating Systems used. And Thirdly, because my experience with Microsoft extends far beyond my experiences with Apple.

And just to muddle everything up… I am honestly a Linux guy. Go Open-Source!