Operating systems have evolved a ton over the past 10 years or so, from Windows 2000, to today's Windows 8. Here's a basic rundown on the past 13 years of Windows operating systems:
Windows 2000. Released on February 17, 2000. Four editions of this OS was released, Professional, Server, Advanced server, and Datacenter server.
Very basic compared to today's OS', all versions of this OS supported NTFS (New Technology File System) 3.0 and Microsoft continually patched security vulnerabilities every month until July 13, 2010 when the OS outlived its usefulness.
Windows XP. Released on October 25, 2001, is has been the most popular OS until August 2012 when Windows 7 was released to the public.
Very user-friendly GUI and interface, still used today on most computers, such as your dentist's front desk computer. Also was the first Windows OS for laptops.
Windows Vista. Released on January 30, 2007, it was the first Windows OS to introduce the semi-transparent window edge theme called "Aero" (also used in windows 7 and 8) and also allowed for peer-to-peer file transfers.
Windows 7. Released on October 22, 2009, it was the first Windows OS to support virtual HDDs, and had a overall better performance on multicore processors, faster boot time, and the ability to pin programs to the task bar, a feature that was first thought of back in the Vista era.
My personal favorite OS, great for gaming because of compatibility, general smoothness of it is great.
Windows 8. Released on October 26, 2012, it was the first non-mobile OS to support touchscreen controls, and supported USB 3.0, Advanced format HDDs, near field communications, cloud computing, and other upcoming technologies.
Personally, I think the UI is overly confusing, inefficient, and the "Start" screen display advertisments. These should never be in any OS, especially if you paid for it. Game compatibility as of 8/16/13 (when I wrote this) isn't very good without the use of compatibility mode, which Windows 8 has.
Mac OS
Although Macs are not recommended for gaming, they can still be used by games that support them, and the OS is very user-friendly across all versions. However, unlike PCs, a iMac cannot be taken apart to be repaired or upgraded. The latest iMac is a all-in-one monitor and computer, meaning there is no space for a retail graphics card, only a laptop-class GPUs by NVIDIA, the GTX M series provide adequate graphical power for most games on lower settings.
Here is a timeline of Mac OS X operating systems over the past 12 years:
Mac OS X v10.0 Cheetah
Released on March 24, 2001. First major release of the OS X operating systems, only took up 1500MB of space, user-friendly and basic.
Mac OS X v10.1 Puma
Released on 25 September 2001.
Mac OS X v10.2 Jaguar
Released on August 23, 2002.
Mac OS X v10.3 Panther
Released on October 24, 2003.
Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger
Released on April 29, 2005.
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard
Released on 26 October 2007.
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard
Released on August 28, 2009.
Mac OS X v10.7 Lion
Released on July 20, 2011.
Mac OS X v10.8 Mountain Lion
Released on July 25, 2012.
Mac OS X v10.9 Mavericks
Not yet released.
Mac OS
Although Macs are not recommended for gaming, they can still be used by games that support them, and the OS is very user-friendly across all versions. However, unlike PCs, a iMac cannot be taken apart to be repaired or upgraded. The latest iMac is a all-in-one monitor and computer, meaning there is no space for a retail graphics card, only a laptop-class GPUs by NVIDIA, the GTX M series provide adequate graphical power for most games on lower settings.
Here is a timeline of Mac OS X operating systems over the past 12 years:
Mac OS X v10.0 Cheetah
Released on March 24, 2001. First major release of the OS X operating systems, only took up 1500MB of space, user-friendly and basic.
Mac OS X v10.1 Puma
Released on 25 September 2001.
Mac OS X v10.2 Jaguar
Released on August 23, 2002.
Mac OS X v10.3 Panther
Released on October 24, 2003.
Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger
Released on April 29, 2005.
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard
Released on 26 October 2007.
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard
Released on August 28, 2009.
Mac OS X v10.7 Lion
Released on July 20, 2011.
Mac OS X v10.8 Mountain Lion
Released on July 25, 2012.
Mac OS X v10.9 Mavericks
Not yet released.
