INTERFACE
Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows 7 still features the dynamic
interface with Aero effects of Windows Vista making easy to navigate and use
for Windows users and beginners alike. The start menu contains everything you
need. From customizing settings and configurations to applications and many
more. You could also search files with the start menu’s search bar. This means
that the user interface of Windows 7 favors both beginners and experts alike.
Customizing desktop appearance and themes is also easy through the
Personalization settings. The user could easily choose his preferred theme,
wallpaper, the style, color, size of the fonts on the windows.
Linux Mint 13 MATE
Mint 13 MATE edition offers many features
including its stability, portability and compatibility in all computers. It
means you can run Linux Mint 13 MATE on just any
computer. MATE’s desktop environment is one of the most productive and user
friendly desktops available. It would also favor users who love Gnome because
MATE continues where Gnome 2 left off and introduces its own incremental
improvements. Being built with GTK2, it features more themes and integrates
with more applications than any other desktop. Unfortunately, some
parts of Gnome 2 were not migrated to MATE yet and a few aspects such as
Bluetooth support might not work as well as they did with Gnome 2.
Solaris 10
Oracle’s
Solaris 10 in its old releases use Open
Windows, and or Gnome as its user interface. Solaris 10 features the new Java
Desktop System (JDS) as its new Graphical User Interface. The new user interface clearly made a
difference for it separates Solaris 10 from other operating systems. It gave
Solaris a unique user interface distinction. Like linux mint 13, the interface
of Solaris 10 also look close to windows 7. The JDS really reshaped Solaris 10.
Multitasking
Windows 7
When it comes to multitasking with
respect to hardware, windows might need high end features to perform at top
speed. Older hardware might have trouble running multiple apps and still have a
stable system. Users who use programs
that require much resource might consider having higher RAM, faster processor
and hdd.
Mint 13 MATE
Linux distributions have been regarded
to run on old computers at a satisfying speed and performance. This means
having many open apps and processes open won’t be able to cause much delay or
lag the system. However, even if MATE only supports 2D graphics, the
consumption of system resources is much higher than Cinammon. When it comes to
hardware, old laptops or desktops may still perform well.
Solaris
Being a UNIX based system, there is no
doubt that Solaris is built for performance.
Solaris 10 has already made 300 records since its release.
Oracle Solaris 10 unleashes more power from existing applications. Developers
can use Solaris applications in building applications incorporated with the
latest optimizations.
Updates
Windows 7
Windows update downloads all updates
that are available regardless if it’s important or not and installs it
automatically on default. For users with low internet connection, this may not
be good. Also, the frequent automatic downloading of updates slows the system.
In order to have a faster system, the user can consider turning automatic
updates off or choosing the setting that lets you choose which updates to
install and when to install them.
Mint 13
Unlike windows 7, Mint 13 lets the user
choose what updates to install and when to install them. And with long term
support which will last until 2017, users need not to worry about Mint 13 being
outdated. The new features on new releases can be added to Mint 13.
Solaris 10
When it comes to costumer support or
updates, solaris 10 also ensures users with its long term support.
There are 3 ways to obtain support for Oracle
Solaris
Premier Support for Systems
Premier Support for Operating Systems
Oracle Solaris Support Premier Subscriptions for Non-Oracle
Hardware
Search
Windows 7 might be a slower than Linux
Mint 13 when it comes to file searching. When searching on other hard disk or
partition, windows 7 may need to index the hard disk or partition. Solaris may
be short because it doesn’t have a search bar on its start menu. To conclude,
linux mint’s speed may be a big difference.
Web
browsing
Windows 7
The default pre-installed web browser
of windows 7 is Internet Explorer 8 but you could download the latest version
of IE through windows update. Reviews made about web browsers in 2013 show that
IE 10 has earned the second spot due to the faster response time and new
benchmark. However, if a user has just install a new copy of windows, internet
browsing using IE 8 may bother him. The time it takes for IE 8 to load and the
benchmark speeds seems very much longer than Google Chrome. In short, windows
7’s default browser IE 8 is outdated.
Linux Mint 13
Linux Mint 13 package contains Mozilla
Firefox as its default web browser. Since Firefox performs better than the
outdated IE 8, Linux Mint 13 may just leave Windows 7 behind.
Solaris
Like
Linux mint 13, Solaris also use Mozilla Firefox as its default browser.
Gaming
When it comes to gaming, there is no
doubt a windows top all operating systems. With thousands of games available,
windows might just be the best option for gamers. Linux may be faster than
windows in any way but the fact that there are more experience programmers in
windows platform than linux makes windows a better choice for gamers. However,
with the use of a software called WINE linux users might still be able to play
some good games made to run on windows. On the part of solaris 10, it may not
work well with gamers.
Hardware
Options
Windows 7
Having quit a lot improvements and upgrades
from windows vista, windows is also known for its hardware compatibility.
Having certain requirements that suit most new computers, it is undeniable that
windows 7 might require better memory in order for it to perform to its peak.
This means that old computers might need a little elevation in order to be
qualified to use a Windows 7 at a fast pace. When it comes to hardware options,
windows could run on any pc and is supported by almost all manufacturers.
Linux Mint 13
Being able to run in any computer with no
problems especially with drivers could may Mint 13 a very good choice for many
users. Even Ubuntu users are already transferring to the Linux Mint Community and
driver support for every hardware is fast improving.
Solaris
Being open source software has its advantages
and disadvantages. While it is true that Ubuntu can run on any computer, it
also possible that it will have problems with some drivers. One reason maybe
because it still needs to support all drivers available in any computer
regardless of the type and brand.
Security
Windows 7
Securing windows 7 from viruses, rootkits
and other malware may require patience. In order to ensure the security of the
system, awareness on the type of malware and their mode of transmission may be
needed. Also, acquiring a quality anti-malware program may be needed. But the
most important thing is frequent scanning of the system for possible malware
infection.
Linux Mint 13
While windows users may have to be a
little vigilant when it concerns security, mint users need not to worry about
malware for linux is free from viruses. Also, there is no antivirus software
needed to be installed. However, taking full security measures especially on
networking may still be a better practice.
Solaris 10
Solaris is proven to have trusted security
features which include:
Reduce risk by granting only the privileges needed for users
and processes
Simplify administration and increase privacy and performance
by using the
standards-based key management and cryptographic frameworks
in Oracle Solaris
Secure your system using dynamic service profiles, including
a built-in, reduced exposure network services profiles. Control access to data
based on its sensitivity level by using
Recovery
Windows
7
Data
recovery also counts when a system failure occurs. The system can recovered
using a backup image created to restore windows. The installation dvd can also
be used.
Linux
Mint 13
There
is no recovery disc made for linux mint 13. Even so, users could easily solve
the system failure by correctly searching the error on google. The linux mint
community is noted to be friendly.
Solaris
10
When it comes to system failures, solaris 10 has the
advantage. Its Predictive Self Healing is its key
feature whicht helps increase system and service
availability. It also automatically detects, diagnoses, and isolates system and
software faults before they cause downtime. It
spans the full range from diagnosis to recovery on Oracle SPARC and x86 systems.
Conclusion
Even if windows 7’s user-friendly system and
with the variety of options and preinstalled features it offers, it may still need
a lot of improvement in order to completely satisfy its users and stop others
from migrating to other platforms. When it comes to applications available,
windows has the upper hand. When speed and performance is concerned, linux mint
13 and solaris 10 may leave windows behind. If security is put in line, Mint 13
and Solaris 10 still outrans Windows 7. With a scale of 1-10, for me Windows
gets 8/10, 9/10 for Mint 13 MATE and 8/10 for Solaris 10. I based my conclusion
on many reviews and my own experience with the three Systems.
Updates
Windows
7
After installing windows 7, updates including
the Service Pack 1 which is one of windows’ largest important updates could be
downloaded from Microsoft’s website. Updates are checked regularly by the
system given that automatic update is turned on.
Linux
Mint 13
Linux Mint 13 is the current LTS ( Long Term
Support ) of Linux Mint. With an extended support until 2017, users need not to
worry about being outdated. Updates could be obtained through is Software
Manager.
Solaris
10
Solaris 10 is no
hustle. There are 3 ways to obtain support for
Oracle Solaris
• Premier Support for Systems
• Premier Support for Operating Systems
• Oracle Solaris Support Premier
Subscriptions for Non-Oracle Hardware
Cost
Windows
7
Obtaining a copy of windows 7 cost
Linux
Mint 13
Linux Mint 13 is completely free. Anyone could download a copy
from its download page and could choose from a variety of servers serving as
mirrors. Unlike Ubuntu, the developers don’t directly ask for donation before
redirecting to the download page.
Solaris
10
Interested users who want to try Solaris 10 could get a copy from
oracle’s website. Even though Solaris 10 is a mixed open and close source, it
is still free to use.
Availability of Applications
Windows
7
Thousands of useful applications could be
acquired from Microsoft’s App Store. Other applications and third party
software could also be download from the internet.
Linux
Mint 13
There are also more than just a handful of
useful applications available for Mint 13. Most of it could be downloaded
through its software manager and websites that promote open source software
like sourcefourge.net. and with the help of a software called WINE, Mint users
could be able to run windows applications, thus, maximizing productibility.
Solaris
10
When it
comes to applications, Solaris may be a little bit behind. Application
availability for Solaris 10 may be a little short compared to Mint and windows
7.
