DIFFERENCES BETWEEN APPLE AND WINDOWS BASED COMPUTERS

BY Martin Aranda-Cardenas

SPRING 2011

CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

DISCUSSION 3

CONCLUSION 7

REFERENCES 10

i ABSTRACT:

This report, explores the differences between Apple Computers and the most common Windows based Personal Computers. (PCS) A brief history of the computer as a revolutionary technology and machine as well as some of the major history events that started the debate about which computer is best. The reason why people is choosing apple computers over PCs and advantages and disadvantages from the technology, and financial points of view. Experts were also questioned about the reliability and security level on both systems.

1 INTRODUCTION

The beginnings of the computer age can be traced back to the late 1930, with the creation of the first audio oscillator and the first computer software programs in the early 1940s(1).

Many ideas came from the need to resolve many and more complicated mathematical calculations, giving way to many implementations and developments for newer and faster machines. 1952 marks the beginning of the programming era when Ms. Grace Hopper finishes working on the A-0 compiler, Dates in History, Retrieved April 25, 2011(2)

Later on, with the development of microprocessors (integrated circuits printed onto small silicon chips, Moumina, 2001. Pg 19) the Altair 8800 was developed. This apparatus generated interest among the computer enthusiast, programmers and entrepreneurs. One of such people was Bill Gates and friend Paul Allen founders of Microsoft. The creation of Apple computers in 1975 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak came from the idea to make computers appealing to the general public by having a user friendly environment. The Apple I was created and it had a keyboard, a screen and a storage device to save data and programs.

2 DISCUSSION

Computers now days are as essential and as needed as any other household appliance, with the added benefit of being used as a learning tool, and entertainment hub or a productivity and research tool, among other uses. If the words Personal Computer are to be understood, then any computer, desktop, laptop or mobile device needs to be considered as such regardless of brand or operating system. So, essentially even an Apple computer is a Personal Computer or PC. Time and peoples attitudes towards computers have adopted the different uses of the names for Apple computers and the general Windows based computer as just PC Ironically, in 1977 when the Apple II was introduced, Microsoft was paid to make a better version of the Basic program used in the Apple I. This transaction helped Microsoft stay in business since it was facing financial difficulties. The Apple II had a cassette at first and then Wozniak developed a disk controller for floppy drives that was simpler than the ones used by Altair and others at that time. The operating system was written in UNIX allowing the Apple II to be portable. By 1980, Apple used an attachable card called

Soft Card from Microsoft permitting the Apple II to run CP/M, an operating system developed by a consultant named Gary Kildall. Kildall helped create this program for Intel microchip based computers such as the Intel 8080. (Kildall, 1981)

VisiCalc was the first spreadsheet software program developed in 1979, including word processing software. This was the moment in history that showed the potential and feasibility of a personal computer, and here is when the giant IBM decides to start making personal computers, something that would change the computer industry since 1980.

3 IBM had many issues at the management level that did not permit a fast development of their personal computers and had to outsource every component not in his production lines. IBM was geared to large software projects but did not have the flexibility and other critical skills to develop the kind of software needed for personal computers (Chopsky and Leonsis, 1988) Contrary to what many people believe, Bill Gates did not developed DOS operating system. He purchased it from a man named Tim Paterson who owned Seattle Computer Products renaming it MS-DOS which stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System, Dates in History, 6th November 1980
(3)

The heart of the computer is the microchip, without it, the computer is just a pile of circuitry with no good use. Intel, the biggest and most influential microchip manufacturer in the world did not have a very good relationship with IBM at the beginning of the computer revolution but once IBM had made the decision to produce personal computers, it even needed Intels input in

the design of their PCs The microchip industry faced many difficulties from the technological and financial fronts as well as from intense competition from Japanese manufactures, but Intels innovations kept the PC in the market. It was in 1984 when the real competition for IBM started with the launch of the Macintosh computer or Mac, made by Apple with a Motorola Microchip. This computer was very user friendly and people loved how easy it was to use. The screen showed icons, these icons represented files or programs that were easily accessed with the click of a mouse, a device attached to the computer with a wire allowing for remote control of the Mac. IBM had difficult decisions to make when the newest 386 Intel Microchip came out, and 4 due to this hesitation, Compaq Computers, one of IBMs biggest competitors became the dominant PC maker. This move made Intel and Microsoft the leading companies for the small computer industry by guiding it on how the next computer should be like. Intel graved control of the small computer industry by marketing his newest products to the end consumer by passing the manufacturers. This approach forced the computer makers to order Intels newest chips making this a very profitable marketing strategy. The competition between the Mac and the PC became mainly based on the software, speed and reliability aspects that the machines were able to work with. The PC was mainly based on the Microsoft operating systems and the widely popular Microsoft Office software programs such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint

Microsoft was contracted out to develop a better version of the BASIC operating system fist used on the Apple I, for the Apple II Apple kept its computer design a secret making it difficult for software companies to develop applications that could be used in their systems. This in turn made Apples sales very disappointing at that time. Microsofts operating system version 1.0 was based largely on the Macintosh user interface. Apple and Microsoft had their first dispute when the latest announced its newest operating system Windows 2.0 putting it into a package with its Excel Spreadsheet and Word processing software, Word, making Microsoft the market leader in this type of application soon afterwards. Apple argued that Microsoft had infringed into their registered audio visual copyrights, which were covered only by Windows version 1.0 and not by Windows version 2.0 (Ichbiah and Kneeper, 1991) Microsoft close look at the Apples Mac, basically gave it the idea to follow in the development of their own software and its own operating system which has evolved and advance more and more with every new operating system release claiming to be better than the previous one. 5 Apple computers now days are considered more reliable, more aesthetically appealing and easier to use, in other words they are cooler than PCs. PC in the other hand is the preferred choice when it comes to industrial and commercial use and compatibility. Changes in technology, financial aspects, market share and the development of new products are making Apple acquire more of the market share in the computer industry specially since the introduction of innovative products

such as the ipod, a music device, in 2001. The iphone, in 2007 and later the ipad in 2010 In May 26th 2010, Apple becomes the most valuable technology company, surpassing Microsoft. Apple shares rose 1.8 percent valuing the company at $227.1 billion dollars, while Microsoft shares lost about 1 percent putting the company at an estimated $226.3 market value, Dates in History, 2010, 26th May, Apple Surpasses Microsoft as most Valuable Technology Company
(4)

6 CONCLUSION It is clear that both computers are basically using the same technology and if looked from a strictly technological point of view, both computers will operate at a reasonable efficient level depending on the environment that it is used at. Personally, after 10 years of using Windows based computers such as HP,

Compaq, Dell and other brands, opted to try and Apple computer, the 13 MacBook. Three years have passed since the purchase of this fine machine and the regrets are nowhere to be found. The years before the change meant spending more time trying to get the Dell Inspiron 8600 at home to stay working than really using it for any simple and practical purpose. If there is anything that should make the most important factor in deciding which machine to use it should be the Vulnerability to Cybercrime. According to CNETs Elinor Mills, PCs have a higher level of Vulnerability than Macintosh Computers as shown in the next chart:

More than half of Americans believe that PCs are "very" or "extremely" vulnerable to cybercrime attacks, while only 20 percent say the same about Macs, according to this ESET survey. (Credit: ESET) Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10444561-245.html#ixzz1KkzoTxPP

7 Ms Mills asked more than 30 security experts What is more secure a Mac or PC? Most if not all the experts agree that both systems have the same reliabilities

and the same capabilities as well as the same Vulnerabilities. ROSS ANDERSON, PROFESSOR OF SECURITY ENGINEERING AT THE COMPUTER LABORATORY AT UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE points out:

Technically sophisticated people living in poor countries like Russia, India, or Brazil do the bulk of e-crime. So while preventing normal crime is about sociology, preventing online crime is about economics. Malware writers are rational, as are botnet herders. They would far rather attack Windows PCs as there are lots more of them. So you are much less likely to be bothered by malware if you use a Mac, or run Linux on your PC., Insecurity Complex, In their words: Experts weigh in on Mac vs. PC security, CNET NEWS, Website, http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10444561-245.html#ixzz1KnEYkgOe

ROBERT G. FERRELL, INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY SPECIALIST AT THE US DEPT OF DEFENSE adds to the answer: Even more critical from a safety standpoint is the level of security awareness exhibited by that consumer. If you haphazardly visit every link and download every file sent to you in e-mail or posted to your social-networking pages, sooner or later you're going to get nailed. Period. Platforms are pass. Apps are where it's at.", Insecurity Complex, In their words: Experts weigh in on Mac vs. PC security, CNET NEWS, Website, http://news.cnet.com/830127080_3-10444561-245.html#ixzz1KnGC7U3x

And lastly, RICH MOGULL, SECUROSIS CEO strongly believes that: "Microsoft has done more in terms of its inherent security features than Apple has in the operating system. All of that said, Microsoft gets attacked a lot more than Apple does. Right now your odds of being infected as a Mac user by malicious software are quite a bit lower than a Windows user, unless you do stupid things.", Insecurity Complex, In their words: Experts weigh in on Mac vs. PC security, CNET NEWS, Website, http://news.cnet.com/830127080_3-10444561-245.html#ixzz1KnHAckDe

9 REFERENCES

(1)

Timeline of Computer History, Retrieved April 25, 2011, Computer

History Museum, Computers Section Website, http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/?year=1939. And Software and Languages Section, Website, http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/? category=sl

(2)

, The Centre for Computer History, 1952 Grace Hopper completes the

A-0 Compiler, Website, http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/5487/Grace %20Hopper%20completes%20the%20A-0%20Compiler

(3)

The Centre for Computing History, Website,

http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/6083/Microsoft%20Signs %20Contract%20with%20IBM%20to%20Create%20Operating%20System

(4)

The Centre for Computing History, Website,

http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/7703/Apple%20Surpasses %20Microsoft%20as%20Most%20Valuable%20Technology%20Company

"Ready or not, computers are coming to the people": Inventing the PC.
By: Ceruzzi, Paul E.; OAH Magazine of History, Jul2010, Vol. 24 Issue 3, p. 25, 4p

History of Operating Systems, Ayman Moumina, History of Computing, Prof. Tim Bergin, 5/3/01

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