Department of CS&IT

Name: Zain Abbas

Roll No: BSIT51F22R049
Program: BSIT-5th SS1
Assignment No: 02
Subject: System and Network Administration
Teacher: Ma’am Misbah Jabeen
 Comparative Analysis of Operating
Systems

1. Windows OS
 Characteristics & Attributes:
o Developed by: Microsoft.
o User Interface: Graphical User Interface (GUI) with start menu,
taskbar, windows for multitasking.
o Popular versions: Windows 10, Windows 11.
o File System: NTFS, FAT32.
o Application Support: Supports a vast array of commercial software
like Microsoft Office, Adobe suite, and many gaming applications.
o Compatibility: Supports a wide range of hardware and peripherals.
 Advantages:
o User-friendly: Known for ease of use, especially for beginners and
non-technical users.
o Wide software support: Compatible with a wide variety of third-
party software, especially for gaming and professional applications.
o Hardware compatibility: Works on a wide variety of devices, from
low-end to high-end PCs.
o Enterprise features: Strong support for business applications,
including networking and management tools like Active Directory.
 Disadvantages:
o Cost: Commercial OS with licenses required for most versions.
o Vulnerable to malware: Popularity makes it a frequent target for
viruses and malware.
o Resource-heavy: Requires relatively high system resources, leading
to slower performance on older hardware.
2. Mac OS
 Characteristics & Attributes:
o Developed by: Apple Inc.
o User Interface: Clean, minimalist GUI with a dock, menu bar, and
multiple desktops (Mission Control).
o Popular versions: macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey, macOS
Ventura.
o File System: APFS (Apple File System), HFS+.
o Application Support: Strong integration with Apple’s ecosystem
(iCloud, iWork, iTunes) and support for professional applications
(Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro).
o Compatibility: Limited to Apple hardware (MacBooks, iMacs, etc.).
 Advantages:
o Optimized hardware-software integration: Since Apple makes both
the OS and hardware, macOS is optimized for performance, stability,
and energy efficiency.
o Security: macOS is considered more secure than Windows due to its
Unix-based architecture and lower market share (less targeted by
malware).
o Aesthetics and UX: Offers a polished, intuitive interface with high
usability and good design aesthetics.
o Creative & professional apps: Often preferred by creative
professionals for multimedia creation (e.g., video editing, music
production).
 Disadvantages:
o Cost: Expensive since it is exclusive to Apple’s hardware, which is
generally priced higher than PC counterparts.
o Limited gaming support: Not ideal for gaming due to limited
availability of games and lack of optimization.
o Limited customization: Less flexibility compared to Windows or
Linux in terms of system customization and hardware modification.
3. Linux OS
 Characteristics & Attributes:
o Developed by: Community-driven (originally by Linus Torvalds).
o User Interface: Highly customizable with different desktop
environments (GNOME, KDE, XFCE, etc.).
o Popular versions: Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Arch, Red Hat.
o File System: EXT4, XFS, Btrfs, among others.
o Application Support: Wide range of open-source software;
commercial apps are less supported compared to Windows/Mac.
o Compatibility: Can run on a wide range of hardware, including older,
low-end systems.
 Advantages:
o Open-source: Free to use and modify, providing transparency and
control over the system.
o Highly customizable: Users can modify almost every part of the
system, making it a great choice for advanced users and developers.
o Lightweight versions: Various distributions (like Lubuntu) can run
on low-end hardware efficiently.
o Security: Generally more secure due to its permission structure and
lower popularity among cyber attackers.
o Command-line power: Strong command-line interface (CLI),
making it a favorite for developers, system administrators, and
technical users.
 Disadvantages:
o Steeper learning curve: While user-friendly distributions exist (e.g.,
Ubuntu), it can be challenging for beginners, especially when it comes
to system maintenance or troubleshooting.
o Software availability: Many commercial programs, especially
gaming or professional design software, are not natively supported on
Linux.
o Hardware driver issues: Sometimes requires manual installation of
hardware drivers, which can be complex.
4. Unix OS
 Characteristics & Attributes:
o Developed by: AT&T Bell Labs (Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie).
o User Interface: Primarily CLI (Command Line Interface), though
GUIs (like X Window System) can be added.
o Popular versions: BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution), Solaris,
AIX.
o File System: UFS (Unix File System), ZFS.
o Application Support: Often used in enterprise environments,
research, and development; supports many server applications and
scientific tools.
o Compatibility: Runs on various hardware, primarily servers and
mainframes.
 Advantages:
o Stability and reliability: Unix systems are known for their robustness
and are often used in mission-critical environments like servers,
banks, and academic institutions.
o Multi-user, multitasking: From its inception, Unix was designed for
multiple users and multitasking, making it ideal for server use.
o Security: Strong security features, often used in environments
requiring high levels of security.
o Portability: Designed to be portable across systems, making it widely
applicable for different architectures.
 Disadvantages:
o Cost: Commercial Unix systems (like AIX or Solaris) are expensive
and typically used by enterprises.
o User-friendly issues: It requires extensive knowledge of the
command line and system administration, making it challenging for
non-technical users.
o Limited desktop use: While it’s a powerhouse for servers and
workstations, Unix isn’t typically used for personal or consumer
desktop environments.
Comparison Table:
Feature/Attribute Windows Mac OS Linux OS Unix OS
OS
Ease of Use High High Moderate to Low (CLI-
(beginner- (polished low(depends on based)
friendly) UX) distribution)

Customization Low Low High Moderate

Security Moderate High High High

Cost Paid Paid(via Free(open- Paid(commercial

hardware) source) versions)

Software Very high Moderate Moderate to low Low(focused on

Availability servers)

Hardware High Low(Apples High High(server-

Compatibility devices only) oriented)

Best For General Creative Developers, tech Servers,

use, professionals, enthusiasts, enterprise,
gaming, Apple servers research
business ecosystem
apps users