This post is an old research paper I wrote for Indiana Wesleyan University.
Much of the news in the Information Technology field has focused on Microsoft's upcoming operating system, Windows 8. Inevitably, many comparisons are being made between Windows 8 and Apple's most recent release of the Mac OS, which is code-named "Mountain Lion." Both desktop operating systems borrow heavily from their mobile counterparts. However, Microsoft's decision to reimagine Windows from its foundations, discarding the desktop paradigm of computing, is fundamentally risky and has the potential to alienate and frustrate long-time Windows users. Apple's decision to integrate features from its mobile operating system without sacrificing the familiar desktop interface is a less risky move. Although both decisions have the same goal of bridging the gap between the desktop and mobile interfaces, they are indicative of the cultural differences between the two companies and have the potential to shape their future for years to come.
Windows 8
From the moment you log in, it is evident that Windows 8 is a complete reimagining from its predecessors. "Instead of the familiar Start menu, taskbar, and Windows Explorer, you get the Start screen, which consists of square and rectangular icons for your apps called Live Tiles" (Mediati, 2012). The Start screen displays every application installed on the computer by default, but users can choose what does or does not appear. Users can pin favorite Web sites or contacts from their address book to the Start screen to further customize their experience. However, that does not mean the desktop is gone. "Windows 8 will run traditional desktop-style Windows applications too, and it will do so in a desktop environment that resembles the layout of Windows 7" (Mediati, 2012).
Microsoft built Windows 8 with cloud computing in mind. Microsoft bundles its OneDrive service with Windows 8, just as Apple bundles its iCloud service with Mountain Lion. Microsoft's OneDrive service aims to provide users with access to all of their applications and files, thus providing a consistent user experience, regardless of what machine they happen to be logged into. "A big difference between SkyDrive and iCloud is that it offers Web access to any files you've stored on it," meaning users can access their files from any Web browser. Additionally, many third-party applications for Windows 8 can make use of OneDrive to store and retrieve files (Muchmore, 2012).
Galen Gruman of InfoWorld.com summed up his thoughts on the user experience in Windows 8 in his article "Deathmatch: Windows 8 vs. OS X Mountain Lion:"
Ultimately, you're switching between two different computers that share a file system and a few core services, and each computer is optimized for a different set of input methods. It would have been better to leave Metro for tablets and Windows 7 for laptops and desktop PCs, and slowly merged the UIs as Apple is doing with OS X and iOS. For most users, Windows 8 will be a confounding mess. (2012)
Microsoft's decision to merge the desktop and mobile interfaces in Windows 8 and create one operating system for multiple devices demonstrates the company’s need and desire to remain relevant in the an era where users are increasingly reliant on smart phones and tablets to remain connected. In this "post-PC" era, the desktop is no longer the primary method of computing for the average end user. Microsoft’s decision to go "all in" with Windows 8 could spur a new period of innovation at the company or drive users away, causing the company to enter a period of decline.
Mac OS X "Mountain Lion"
Apple has taken a different approach with Mountain Lion. "At its heart, Mac OS X is still an operating system designed for desktops and laptops." At first glance, it does not look like the OS X desktop has changed. However, Mountain Lion does have a similar feature to Windows 8's Start screen: the Launchpad. When Launchpad is opened, it displays an iPad-like grid of icons for your programs, making it easier to locate and access them. However, despite Launchpad's iOS roots, Mountain Lion looks and feels like a Mac, not an iOS device (Mediati, 2012).
Like Microsoft, Apple built Mountain Lion with cloud computing in mind. Apple built its iCloud service into Mountain Lion. "When you sign into your Apple account on a Mountain Lion Mac, all your mail settings, contacts, Safari bookmarks, messages, iTunes backups and other features will be synced via iCloud. And when you launch the App Store, all the apps you purchased earlier through the App Store are available for downloading and installation" (Muchmore, 2012). Like Microsoft, Apple built cloud storage into iCloud. However, users cannot access these files via a Web browser.
"Apple defined the graphical user interface as we know it today, and despite 28 years of changes, the core metaphors remain unchanged. That consistency makes it easy to use each new version of OS X, and Mountain Lion is no exception" (Gruman, 2012). However, Mountain Lion has one user interface flaw that undermines the ease of use: "there are now three distinct UIs and services for saving files: one for traditional apps, one for Versions-enabled apps, and now one for iCloud Documents-compatible apps." This can be confusing to long-time and new Mac OS users.
Apple brings several features from its iOS operating system to the Mac OS in a natural and incremental way. Unlike Microsoft, Apple does not risk alienating long-time Mac users with the changes to the operating system. Apple has taken a much more conservative approach to merging its desktop and mobile operating systems.
Conclusion
Both Microsoft and Apple have the same goal of bridging the gap between the desktop and mobile interfaces, but the decision to take differing approaches are indicative of the cultural differences between the two companies. Microsoft has taken the riskier approach of reimagining Windows from its foundations, which could frustrate the company's user base. Apple has taken a more conservative approach, refining the Mac OS while adding features from iOS. The main difference between the two approaches is how the designs reflect the end user experience. Apple's approach to consistency demonstrates the company's willingness to keep the existing user base happy while adding features those same users like about the iOS operating system. Microsoft is seemingly ignoring the existing user base and introducing a new learning curve. Only time will tell which approach is the correct one.
References
Gruman, G. Deathmatch: Windows 8 vs. OS X Mountain Lion. InfoWorld.com. Retrieved from http://www.infoworld.com/d/microsoft-windows/deathmatch-windows-8-vs-os-x- mountain-lion-200175?page=0,0.
Mediati, N. Windows 8 vs. Mountain Lion: which OS succeeds at bringing mobile to the desktop? PCWorld.com. Retrieved from http://www.pcworld.com/article/252499/windows_8_vs_mountain_lion_which_os_ succeeds_at_bringing_mobile_to_the_desktop_.html.
Muchmore, M. Windows 8 vs. OS X Mountain Lion: Feature by Feature. PCMag.com. Retrieved from http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/265435/windows-8-vs-os-x- mountain-lion-feature-by-feature.
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