The Big Fight

Differences between PC and MAC 

*(Focus) Operating Systems

Start with these videos

MAC: http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/8/8746719/apple-os-x-wwdc-2015#ooid=xnZXlqdTquAQc3Ubbh_DsIz-jj6Mie8E

PC: http://www.cnet.com/videos/link/dtVmkIslLLEbgikDXFNP4hk_HrHz5W_n/

OS X Yosemite vs Windows 10: Desktop

Yosemite’s desktop was visually overhauled with a new flat look but functionally is mostly identical to earlier releases of OS X. You get the Dock, from which you can launch apps, or open files and folders via Stacks. Mission Control lets you see what apps and documents are open, and switch between them. Spaces lets you switch between apps running in full-screen mode and also create or switch to additional desktops.

Windows 10 brings back the Start menu that’s been around since 1995 but was removed from Windows 8, this is news that will please some (its removal didn’t go down well). The Start menu features some updated graphics that can go full-screen, but it is as functional as ever, if a little click-heavy – to get to your apps you need to click through to an actual apps listing.

OS X Yosemite vs Windows 10: Notifications

Significantly boosted in Yosemite, the Notification Area lets your apps and OS X tell you important stuff, and also provides a home for widgets that show information like weather, or that let you perform quick and dirty tasks. The whole caboodle works harmoniously while scratching every itch a user might have.

When we looked at the original beta in 2014, Window’s Live Tiles appeared not to have evolved since Windows 8. With a little thought the Live Tile area of the Start menu could be an information hub as well as an app launcher, just like Yosemite’s Notification Area. Sadly, most Tiles appear to be dumb icons. For example, the Mail tile shows the number of unread messages, rather than their subject fields or excerpts. The Calendar tile shows nothing more than the day and date. The Skype tile is simply an app icon, rather than a chance to quickly jump into or respond to a text or voice chat with a contact.

OS X Yosemite vs Windows 10: Task View

Yosemite firms-up Apple’s goal for apps to run either as traditional program windows or full-screen. It does this by switching the maximise button (the green blob at the top left of windows) to a full-screen option. Working full-screen in apps courtesy of Mission Control and Spaces makes life significantly easier on smaller screens such as those on MacBooks.

As in the Windows 8.1 update, “Metro” apps designed primarily for tablets start-up full-screen in Windows 10, but don’t overlap the taskbar at the bottom and also have a traditional title bar. Some can be resized in the usual way, just like any window, while some have fixed dimensions. There’s a new menu button at the left of the title bar that provides quick access to features found on the Charms bar in Windows 8, such as settings. This full-screen approach works pretty well, although it has the feel of emulation about it – as if you’re using two different computers, with Metro apps providing a peek into a different universe.

OS X Yosemite vs Windows 10: Mobile integration

Where Apple has always maintained that two separate operating systems are necessary: one for mobile devices, one for computing, Windows 10 will run on PCs, smartphones, tablets and even Xbox One. There will no longer be a separate version of Windows for phones. The benefit of this strategy is that it means the same apps will be available on all Windows 10 devices.

Of course Apple’s philosophy, initially outlined by Steve Jobs prior to that famous quote about not using styluses, is that an operating system that relies on mouse input isn’t suitable for use on a mobile phone where the finger or thumb becomes the means of input (if you resort to using a stylus on the phone you have failed).

How is Microsoft addressing this issue? Continuum Mode isn’t Microsoft’s answer to Continuity, it’s Microsoft’s answer to the dilemma of what happens when you disconnect the tablet part of the Surface from its base. The Windows OS will detect the loss of a keyboard or mouse and switch to the tablet (touch) usage modes.

That said, Microsoft is tailoring the OS to devices 8in and above, with a slightly different version for Windows phones and small screen tablets. This ‘mobile’ version of Windows 10 isn’t a successor to Windows Phone 8, it’s still the same OS as runs on PCs, however there are some tweaks. The mobile version includes the ability to float the keyboard around the screen.

OS X Yosemite vs Windows 10: Continuity features

While the operating systems are unique, Apple offers a number of features that unify both OS X and iOS. Apple has unified these features underneath the banner of Continuity and they include Airdrop, which is significantly boosted in Yosemite to let you share files between not just desktop computers, but also iOS devices. Windows 10 simply has nothing similar.

You have been able to send SMS messages to other iCloud users on your Mac since Mavericks in 2013, but now you can text anyone from your Mac, regardless of what smartphone they are using. Also new in Yosemite is the ability to make and receive calls on your Mac using your iPhone number (your iPhone just needs to be nearby with Bluetooth turned on).

OS X Yosemite vs Windows 10: iCloud vs OneDrive

Cloud storage is a hot area nowadays. Yosemite comes with iCloud at its heart, while apps in Windows 10 will default to saving all files and pictures automatically to Microsoft’s OneDrive, as well as backing up your PC settings there. Microsoft Office 365 already features strong OneDrive support, so this is a logical continuation and you can always save files locally by selecting a folder.

OneDrive is available on most computing platforms, but the difference between it and iCloud is one of integration. iCloud works as a kind of Dropbox clone in Yosemite but in iOS each app can claim its own walled garden within iCloud to save data – safe from the prying eyes of other apps or potential malware. Apple’s approach is significantly more secure than that of Windows 10, and again indicates more thought has been applied to basic tasks.

OS X Yosemite vs Windows 10: Siri v Cortana

Windows 10 gains Cortana, Microsoft’s digital assistant and Siri rival. Cortana is activated either by clicking on a button beside the Start button on the desktop, or by saying “Hey Cortana”. You’ll be able to edit the things that Cortana knows about you to improve the service it provides. You can also typing your query to Cortana, if you want to request “show me photos from December” without shouting it out for all to hear.

Microsoft has pipped Apple to the post here, bringing system-wide voice control to the PC, will Apple bring Siri to the Mac? Over the years there have been rumours that it will, but we aren’t convinced anyone would actually use it – which is probably why Microsoft’s solution allows the self conscious to type their enquiry to Cortana.

OS X Yosemite vs Windows 10: Gaming & Gimics

Microsoft is bringing Xbox Live to the desktop. Players will also be able to play Xbox One games on their PC by streaming them directly from their console to their Windows 10 tablet or PC within their home. Windows 10 gamers will be able to play against people on their Xbox One in multiplayer games. Game recording will also be built into Windows 10 for Windows games.

Microsoft is also working on an augmented reality system called HoloLens, using a headset a little like Google Glass. Windows 10 will be the first holographic computing platform and a set of APIs will mean developers can create holographic experiences in the real world. Apparently HoloLens lets you interact with ‘holograms’ that you see.  You could use HoloLens to play games in a virtual 3D environment.

VERDICT

On the basis of this tech preview there’s previous little in Windows 10 to get excited about. Yosemite trumps it in almost every regard. Even better, Yosemite is already here while Windows 10 is still months away. Microsoft needs to significantly up its game before Windows 10 is released but all the signs are the features are mostly set in stone, aside from a handful of adjustments. Ultimately, Windows 10 feels like an apology for Windows 8. When the best you can say about a new operating system is that it isn’t as bad as its predecessor, there’s clearly something wrong. In contrast, Yosemite demonstrates how an operating system should evolve. Across just under 15 years OS X has constantly met its users needs with style and grace. Even compared to OS X Mountain Lion, released just two years ago, Yosemite feels like a completely different beast. As desktop operating systems go, it’s simply unrivaled.