Windows Takes on Mac OS: The Systems Showdown
“Apple’s Sin” and “Windows Ink” may be unfamiliar terms to many users in today’s connected world, but for savvy computer consumers they may serve to steer shopping dollars in the direction of either the MacIntosh or Microsoft brands. According to Casey (2016), there are benefits and drawbacks to both Windows and Mac. Last year, Windows introduced their version with a tablet mode built into the system with a Start menu focused on applications. Additional forms of interactions and an operating system that allows the use of more devices places Windows over macOS in this category. In addition, the Microsoft operating system can snap four windows to a grid while macOS only allows two. Both systems have voice-activated assistants (“Siri” for Apple and “Cortana” for Microsoft), but Cortana accept both typed and voice commands. However, Siri has the capability of dropping results into open documents. Microsoft allows gaming between players, while Apple puts seldom-used files into iCloud servers to free up significant storage space. Muting is only available on macOS, and Sierra can take calls from the phone. Finally, macOS Sierra is free forever, while Windows costs $119 after one year. Edging out as the winner is . . . . macOS Sierra!
There are a number of sites providing free and paid classes, courses, and free assistance for operating and troubleshooting Windows 8. Microsoft Visual Academy promises help with an online course addressing printing problems, tools such as Xpert for daily troubleshooting, and use of the Microsoft Support Team, among others (Microsoft Virtual Academy, 2017). Lynda.com (2017) is a useful tool for beginners as it tours the applications and how to operate them, including a tutorial on troubleshooting in a presentation that is almost five hours long. Another multi-component teaching site is GFC (2017), taking new users through upgrading, setting up Windows 8, and using the operating system. When a request for troubleshooting was entered, the site offered a supply of links. Custom Guide Interaction Training (Whitney, 2013) starts with turning your computer on and off and proceeds through tutorials, quizzes, training manuals, references, and a training platform. The training program runs just under $20 per month. Finally, Best Buy offers a free site that states Lynda.com (2017) is free until November 23; trainer files for teaching students are available for $37.50 per month. This is the extent of the help this site offers.
References
Casey, H. (2016). macOS Sierra vs Windows 10: Why Apple Wins. Laptopmag.com. Retrieved 28 January 2017, from http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/macos-vs-windows10
CustomGuide. (2017). Windows 8 Training. CustomGuide. Retrieved 28 January 2017, from http://www.customguide.com/microsoft-office-training/windows-8-training
CFLearnFree.org. (2017). Free Windows 8 Tutorial at GCFLearnFree. GCFLearnFree.org. Retrieved 28 January 2017, from http://www.gcflearnfree.org/windows8/
Lynda.com. (2017). Windows 8 Essential Training. Lynda.com - from LinkedIn. Retrieved 28 January 2017, from https://www.lynda.com/Windows-tutorials/Windows-8-Essential- Training/84572-2.html#tab
Microsoft Virtual Academy. (2017). Troubleshooting Windows 8. Microsoft Virtual Academy. Retrieved 28 January 2017, from https://mva.microsoft.com/en-us/training- courses/troubleshooting-windows-8-8227?l=LUgbg4Iy_5804984382
Whitney, L. (2012). If Windows 8 baffles you, here's some free training. CNET. Retrieved 28 January 2017, from https://www.cnet.com/news/if-windows-8-baffles-you-heres-some- free-training/
