OS Smackdown: Linux vs. Mac OS X vs. Windows Vista vs. Windows XP

Computerworld - Since the dawn of time -- or, at least, the dawn of personal computers -- the holy wars over desktop operating system have raged, with each faction proclaiming the unrivaled superiorty of its chosen OS and the vile loathsomeness of all others.

No matter how fierce the language or convincing the arguments, however, these battles began to seem somewhat irrelevant to regul working stiffs. While Mac OS, OS/2, Linux and many other desktop operating systems have all had their devotees over the years, the truth is that the majority of home and business users have simply used the current version of Windows as a matter of course.

Windows Vista has changed all that. Never has a Microsoft operating system been greeted with such a lack of enthusiasm from consumers and business alike. Wheter it's because of Vista's confusing array of versions, its hefty hardaware requirements, its driver issues or its invasive security features, users are resisting the upgrade to Vista and considering other options, from Mac OS X to Linux to just sticking with Windows XP, thank you very much.

Suddenly, the OS wars have a new revelance.

That's why we've asked four experts to lay out their best arguments in support of their desktop operating systems of choice:


- James Turner for Linux
- Michael DeAgonia for Mac OR X
- Preston Gralla for Windows Vista
- David Ramel for Windows XP


Each is positive that his operating system is the best and will try his hardes to convince you of that -- and is not above taking a few swipes at the competition. These are not rational, disengaded reviews; these are opinionated essays meant to sway your point of view.

When you've read all the arguments, you make the call by voting in our reader poll -- and of course we welcome your own arguments in the comments area as well.


By Michael Deagonia, Preston Gralla, David Ramel and James Turner, www.computerworld.com

Apple And Microsoft's Windows 7 to Compete Through Advertising

Launch ad on growing operating system, Microsoft Windows 7 and Apple is also advertising the benefits of each product. Both operating systems to compete in the open advertising campaign. Not only Microsoft is celebrating the launch of Windows 7 with some new ads, but Apple is also taking a stab at the introduction of the new OS, in its usual deprecating manner.

Microsoft on Tsursday introduced to the world the new Windows 7 operating system, which despite mixed reviews, is set to break retail record. To celebrate, Microsoft also launched new a new Windows 7 ad.

The 'My Idea" ad for Windows 7 presents a series of PC users who talk about how they wanted an easies OS, with less clicks and more speed. The ad is less patronizing that previous ones and is a step ahead of the Laptop Hunters series, which took a stab at Apple's expensive hardware; and it even has a naughty word at 00.17.

Given that everybody is talking about Windows 7 this week, Apple tried to steal Microsoft's launch aura, first ay introducing new hardware on Tuesday and then with a three-ad series taking the ridiculing Windows 7 on Tsurday.

The first ad, "Broken Promises," ridicules Microsoft's promise that Windows 7 will be better than Vista, echoing previous statements for Windows XP, ME, and way back to Windows 7. The PC character even has his hair back towards the end of the ad.

Apple's 'Teeter Tottering' ad shows a Windows XP user ready to switch to a Mac, because Windows 7 requires a fresh start anyway. The PC character tries to sway her way, but in the end, as expected, the Mac wins.

The last Apple ad is titled "PC News" and shows the PC character as a news anchor, going live to what it turns out to be a bunch of Mac switchers. This makes the PC try to cut to commercials, even though the Mac character points out that this actually is a commercial.

We have yet to see whether Microsoft will come up with different ads that will attack Apple again, but it sure looks like Apple is not backing down -- especially as it wasn't very happy about the Laptop Hunters campaign.