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Apple creates it's first operating system
Apple releases Apple DOS for the Apple II computer. -
Unix releases
Unix was released in 1979 and was the inspiration for Linux -
Microsoft makes its first OS that was released
Despite many attempts to make an OS before, Microsoft succeeded in making MS-DOS for IBM computers. -
Apple begins its line of desktop OSes
Mac OS was the beginning of the current line of OSes that run today (now renamed to macOS with the release of macOS 10 Sierra.) -
The Creation of Windows
Microsoft released Windows 1.0 setting off the line of OSes that we use today. -
Windows 2.0
There was nothing really important in this one. -
Windows 3.0
The creation of Windows 3.0 finally revealed Microsoft as a rival to the more expensive and less updated Mac OS. Windows 3.1 wasn't important but it did introduce us to Minesweeper. -
Mac OS 7.6
This was the first officially named Mac OS as 7.6. Its predecessors were named like System 7.0. -
Linux is created
Linux was created by Linus Torvalds. It was inspired by Unix but was Torvalds' dream operating system. It is completely free and arguably better than Windows. -
OS/2 2.0
This was a rather obscure operating system. Microsoft and IBM teamed up to make the first 32-bit OS and because of that, it deserved recognition. -
Windows NT 3.1
Microsoft created Windows NT 3.1 as the first in the line of NT systems. It was built similar to OS/2 2.0 in that it was 32-bit. Its success was limited due to high system requirements and a lack of 32-bit software. -
Debian
Debian is a Linux distro created to simulate Windows on a slower computer and add all of Linux's benefits to the OS. -
Windows 95
The classic windows. Windows 95 brought forth the design of the modern Windows systems. -
Windows NT 4.0
I'm going to stop adding Windows NT because they aren't very important. -
Mac OS 8
Mac OS 8 was Apple's successful attempt to catch Mac OS up with the rest of Apple's technology. -
Windows 98
Windows 98 was almost identical to Windows 95 but came with minor new features and better graphics. -
Mac OS 9
The final release of Mac OS came with many features. After Mac OS 9, Apple focused all attention toward OS X. -
Windows 2000
Used primarily for servers, Windows 2000 was the successor for Windows NT 4.0. -
Windows ME
Windows ME was the final installment to the Windows 9x series. It targeted home PC users with many user friendly options. -
Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah
This was the first installment of Apple's new Mac OS X line. It had a lack of features and performance issues making it a rough start to Apple's new OS. In the new OS X, Apple began making their OS more like Linux (Unix, to be exact.) -
Windows XP
Despite Microsoft's best efforts to convert everybody into a Windows 10 user, Windows XP is still the most used version of Windows today and definitely one of my favorites. It was another installment to Windows NT and development on it began in the late 90s. It was praised for its better performance than Windows ME and its user-friendly interface. It has sold One billion copies by April 2014 and remains in the top three most popular Windows (with Windows 7 and 10.) -
Mac OS X 10.1 Puma
The second installment of Apple's Mac OS X series came free for Mac users. Apple still releases their OSes for free which is one advantage over how expensive Windows is. Though still plagued with bugs, OS X 10.1 was better received by critics. -
Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar
Another successful OS by Apple, OS X 10.2 was praised for many performance enhancements. -
Mac OS X 10.3 Panther
OS X Panther brought a lot of new applications still used today. The iconic "Finder" was introduced with QuickTime Player. After Microsoft's contract with Apple ended, Apple replaced Internet Explorer for Mac with Safari. -
Ubuntu 4.10
Ubuntu is one of the most widely used Linux OSes among home PC users. With a Windows-like desktop and all the features of Linux, Ubuntu is a great alternative for people with old PCs looking for modern software. -
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
Apple claimed that OS X Tiger was their most successful OS release. Tiger shocked Microsoft with fast file searching, 64-bit technology, and improved graphics processing. The original Apple TV used a Tiger-based OS called Apple TV OS. -
Windows Vista
The infamous Windows Vista is up there with Windows 8 as the worst ever Windows. The system requirements were insane for computers at the time and the licensing was very restrictive. It had a longer boot time, it was incompatible with most software from Windows XP, and the amount of authorization needed to access you're account was ridiculous. Also I hated the startup sound. I mean, you give us Windows XP's startup sound then you do that? -
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
OS X Leopard was not very important. with minor changes to the desktop and a few technical changes, it wasn't very important. It was, however, the last Mac OS X to support PowerPC structure. It also had two versions, a server and a desktop. -
Windows 7
Another success for Microsoft came in the form of Windows 7. Windows 7 is used by many schools and businesses today because of it's user-friendliness. Windows 7 was praised by critics for fixing everything wrong with Windows Vista and still keeping the same general design. -
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
Released nearly two years after OS X Leopard, Snow Leopard was supposed to be just an improvement to Leopard. Snow Leopard was highly successful in the market because of it's ridiculously low price of $29. OS X Leopard mainly focused on efficiency and brought many applications up to date with the current Mac hardware. -
OS X 10.7 Lion
OS X Lion was created only for more efficient use of a Mac. -
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
OS X Mountain Lion was used to bridge the gap between iOS and OS X. It was the first OS X to be released under the Mac App Store for free. This was the beginning of what Apple does today. OS X 10.8 added the Game Center, iCloud and (after getting rid of iChat) Messages. Notes and Reminders were no longer integrated with the mail app and stood alone. It also added iOS's Notification Center to the desktop. -
Windows 8
Windows 8 was Microsoft's attempt to bridge the gap between Windows Phone and Windows. It sucked. Windows 8 did away with the desktop and replaced it with a confusing screen of apps. It was hard to navigate and ran terribly. Windows 8.1 tried to repent for it's sins and re-introduced the desktop. This was the same old desktop but, if you pressed the "Start" button, you were given the same screen of confusing apps. -
Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks
OS X Mavericks introduced more iOS apps to the Mac. It was the first OS X to be named after a place in Apple's home state. -
Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite
OS X Yosemite changed the graphics to be more flat and solid. It replaced iPhotos and Aperture with Photos and continued working on iCloud support. -
Windows 10
Windows 10 is probably the most controversial Windows ever. Critics have praised and criticized it countless times and Microsoft is even going as far as to say that its just flat out better than a Mac. Windows 10 reintroduced the classic Start button after Windows 8 ruined it. Windows 10 came loaded with a free anti-virus, a new browser called Edge to replace internet explorer, and many other features. -
Windows 10 Cont.
Windows 10 is often criticized for it's amount of useless built in apps that just make your computer run slower. Windows 10 was adapted to be used among all Windows devices such as phone, tablet, PCs, and the Xbox. Microsoft's intent is that Windows 10 will be the most used OS in the world despite many users switching to Mac and Linux users are happy with what they got. Windows 10 is trying to do what Windows 8 could not and adapt one OS among all devices. -
Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan
El Capitan's name was to signify that OS X El Capitan is just a refinement of OS X Yosemite. -
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
I only included this because I wanted to give a personal review. Ubuntu 16.04 is the best Linux distro I have seen for home PC users. Its easy installation doesn't require any knowledge of Linux commands. It comes with every feature of Windows and macOS with all the fun Linux stuff. Its completely free and the software for it is free too. Ubuntu 16.04 comes with an easy to use desktop and a software store so you don't have to look online. -
macOS Sierra 10.12
macOS Sierra was released not long ago. It included Siri and Apple Pay and some improvements to iCloud. Apple renamed OS X to macOS with the release of Sierra.
