Tuesday 16 June 2015

Windows 10 vs. Mac OS X El Capitan: Clash of Titans

At WWDC 2015, Apple announced the launch of Mac OS X El Capitan, the latest version of its desktop operating system. This new OS is named “El Capitan” after the famous rock formation in the Yosemite National Park and will arrive this fall. El Capitan promises to take the “Mac experience to new heights.” OS X El Capitan leverages cutting-edge features and design introduced in OS X Yosemite to improve performance. El Capitan improves and tweaks little things to make a big impact.

Everyday tasks ranging from opening PDFs to accessing your email gets snappier than ever before. El Capitan allows you to do daily tasks you do the most, in a smart way. Tasks like searching your email got more natural and interesting with El Capitan.

With the release of Windows 10 slated on 29th July, we couldn’t help but compare both operating systems. Windows 10 aims to take personal computing to next level with a range of new features.

Here is a quick comparison between Windows 10 and El Capitan.


Smarter and Intelligent Search 

Apple has announced significant changes to Spotlight search. The search window is now a real window and can be re-sized and moved like any other window, rather than its distracting front-and-center location in Yosemite.

Spotlight search gets smarter with context-sensitive search. If you want to search for documents you worked in April, simply type “documents I worked on April” Spotlight will know what you mean.  

Cortana, Microsoft’s voice assistant learns your preferences and sets reminders and delivers on the best device. Cortana is cloud-based and keeps a track of user interests.

Gaming and graphics

Metal was released on iOS last year makes its way to its desktop machine. This technology effectively accelerates graphics with a 50% increase in rendering and a 40% improvement in efficiency of rendering.

Metal is ideal to help games look stunning. But it will take much more for Apple to woo game fanatics, especially since there is a buzz around that Xbox users will be able to stream their games to Windows 10 device and transform their tablets, laptops and smartphones into gaming zones.


Window-management feature

The once discarded Windows 10 start launch button will make a comeback in Windows 10. Microsoft strengthens it already existing window management system. Windows 10 lets users snap four apps into place on a screen or create virtual desktops for groupings.

El Capitan introduces Split View option where you can have two apps side-by-side in their respective full screen modes. However, split view applies only to full screen view of applications. While Apple has given users multiple desktops for several years, its side-by-side window-management feature was long overdue.


Pricing

You'll be able to upgrade to the new operating system automatically and free of charge on your recent iMac or Windows PC laptop. As a matter of fact, you will be reminded to upgrade on regular basis!

Compatibility


El Capitan
  • iMac (Mid-2007 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
  • MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
  • Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
  • Xserve (Early 2009)

Windows 10  
Compatible with any system that can already run Windows 8 and Windows 7.

Conclusion: 

Both Windows 10 and OS X El Capitan look to formidable at this stage. However, they have not released yet. We'll wait until they're released to see their performance. Windows 10 has managed to gain the momentum, and El Capitan does nothing significant to change the course of its rival operating system.