Unit 2 Task 4

Task 4 (M1)

Develop a table that can be included in your web pages that compares the features and functions of Windows XP and Mac OS in the following areas;

Functions

• machine and peripheral management
• security
• file management
• device drivers

Features

• ability to customize or
• support for connectivity of portable media or
• security or
• stability and reliability or
• ease of management or
• associated utilities 

Wed 14th May 2014

	WINDOWS XP	MAC OS
MACHINE/PERIPHERAL MANAGEMENT	The entire machine, including all of the components, is controlled by the operating system as well as peripherals like keyboards, mouse and printers. For example, Windows controls the monitor by altering the resolution to be suitable.	The controlling of a Mac OS is quite similar to that of the Windows operating system. However any peripheral devices must be bought separately specifically for the Mac. Mac OS can control the keyboard, for example, by changing the input language.
SECURITY	Operating systems need to make sure that everything works properly and that there is no unauthorised access that can harm your data. Windows has security functions like user accounts with password protection, but also has firewall which can be easily bypassed by going to safe mode.	Mac OS has security features like blocking the ports that are potential security issues. It also uses security features that check if the downloaded content is safe or not. In email programs attachments are not opened automatically so they can’t harm the user’s computer without his knowledge.
FILE MANAGE	File management is required in an operating system to perform different tasks, such as organising, creating and deleting files. On a Windows operating system there is a program called explorer.exe designed to handle the file management.	The program for file management that Mac OS use is called Finder. It is pretty similar to explorer.exe: it has an appropriate icon for every file type as well as other handy features such as
DEVICE DRIVERS	Drivers are programs that tell the operating system what and how to do certain functions. For example when you buy a new graphics card, to make it work properly with all of its power and efficiency you need to install drivers provided with the card.	Same as Windows device drivers, the drivers are programs that control the devices. In the Mac OS every driver required to run the computer is included in the system. However when you want to install a new printer, you have to install a new version of driver for the Mac OS.

	WINDOWS XP	MAC OS
ABILITY TO CUSTOMISE	With Windows XP you have the option to fully customise your computer with ease because they have been designed to be easily accessible and other machines and peripherals can easily be connected to the computer.	The Mac OS can be customised but it is a lot harder to do so as it is more difficult to access these customisable features. Other programs, devices and additional peripheral will have to all be bought and installed manually.