1. operating system: The software that supports a computer's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, and controlling peripherals.
2. open source: of or relating to or being computer software for which the source code is freely available.
3. Random Access Memory: RAM (pronounced ramm) is an acronym for random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes.
4. Market Share
5. Windows 8
5.1. Pros
5.1.1. 3G/4G Support: Windows 8 will detect your SIM card, determine the vendor, and download the appropriate connection app from the Windows App Store, if it's available
5.1.2. Faster Boot Time: The boot process will typically take only 8 seconds from power off to being fully operational.
5.2. Cons
5.2.1. No Start Menu: Microsoft has pulled the Start button off the legacy interface, complicating any Windows 8 rollout in a corporate environment
5.2.2. Hardware Outlay: Companies will have to upgrade their hardware to take advantage of the touch interface.
6. Mac OS X
6.1. Pros
6.1.1. Mac OS X is still the operating system of choice for graphic artists, designers and most others who work with visual and audio media. It also synchronizes user information well across multiple Apple devices, such as the iPhone and iPad, making it easily usable in a mobile office environment.
6.1.2. Gesture Based Multi Touch Trackpad: Mountain Lion has a more rich list of gestures; provided you have a track pad, you will likely find its easier to navigate your way around Mountain Lion with gestures than you would on Windows 8.
6.2. Cons
6.2.1. Price: Apple computers simply cost much more than your average PC. This is offset somewhat by those computers’ durability, and the fact that they take a long time to go out of date.
6.2.2. App Switching was never a great experience in OS X before the introduction of gestures in Lion. You have the Command+Tab shortcut that shows open app icons on your screen and lets you switch to them, along with the Command+Backtik shortcut that allows you to switch between windows of the same app. However, it doesn’t give you the preview you get with the trackpad gesture.
7. Linux Ubuntu 12.10
7.1. Pros
7.1.1. Ubuntu is also continuing to integrate the Web into the desktop in other ways. While it hasn't gone as far as Google Chromebooks or the Ubuntu-based Peppermint desktop Linux, you can engage with such services as Facebook, Twitter, Last.FM, and Google+ from the desktop.
7.1.2. 1: Amazon search: This is something new to every desktop platform. With Ubuntu Unity’s Dash, when you run a search, the search results will include items that can be purchased from Amazon.com.
7.2. Cons
7.2.1. A result of all this "live" Web activity is that Ubuntu is no longer directly supporting PCs that don't have 3D graphic acceleration. Instead, it uses Gallium llvmpipe, a 3D software graphics accelerator to support a common version of Unity for all PCs. That's great for developers, but it's not so hot for those of us using older hardware.
7.2.2. Ubuntu is still not as user friendly as Windows is. Primarily because if you have a problem with Ubuntu, sometimes it requires using the Terminal which isn’t a good start for someone who may not understand what the Terminal is nor what to do.