Oct 23, 2019 What Is This Thing? Fuchsia first popped up on the tech world’s radar in mid-2016, when an unannounced open source project from Google appeared on the GitHub repository.According to initial inspection by the technology press, it was designed to be a “universal” operating system, capable of running on everything from low-power smartwatches to powerful desktops. Aug 29, 2017 This video will go over all sorts of other options for free operating systems, how they relate to each other, and how you might pick a new operating system for. Online shopping for Software from a great selection of Microsoft Windows, Linux & Unix, Mac Operating Systems & more at everyday low prices.
Fuchsia a totally new operating system, currently in the very early stages of development at Google. How does it differ from Android and Chrome, and might it replace either one? Let’s break it down.
An operating system or OS is software installed on a computer's the hard drive that enables computer hardware to communicate with and run computer programs. Without an operating system, a computer and software would be useless. In the picture is an example of MicrosoftWindows XP, an early popular operating system.
ArcaOS is an operating system based on the last IBM release for OS/2. While OS/2 barely survives as a legacy system, even after being extended for a while as eComStation, ArcaOS is still being. Mac System Software Mac OS was named by the company Apple as 'Mac System Software' in the beginning, a specially designed operating system only for 68K first Motorola processors. With own Macintosh hardware, Mac OS takes up a special role in the world of desktop systems. The first version was 'System 1' and appeared bundled with the Mac in 1984. System 7 – System 7.5.1 was the first to refer to itself as Mac OS, Mac OS 7.6 was the first to be branded as 'Mac OS' Mac OS 8; Mac OS 9 – Mac OS 9.2.2 was the last version of Classic Mac OS; macOS.
Operating system types
As computers have progressed and developed, so have their operating systems. Below is a basic list of the categories of operating systems and a few examples of operating systems that fall into each of these categories. Many computer operating systems will fall into more than one of the below types.
GUI - Short for Graphical User Interface, a GUI operating system contains graphics and icons and is commonly navigated by using a computer mouse. See the GUI definition for further information. Examples of GUI operating systems are:
System 7.x
Windows 98
Windows CE
Multi-user - A multi-user operating system allows for multiple users to use the same computer at the same time and different times. See the multi-user definition for a complete definition. Examples of operating systems that would fall into this category are:
Linux
Unix
Windows 2000
Multiprocessing - An operating system capable of supporting and utilizing more than one computer processor. Examples of operating systems that would fall into this category are:
Linux
Unix
Windows XP
Multitasking - An operating system that is capable of allowing multiple software processes to run at the same time. Examples of operating systems that would fall into this category are:
Linux
Unix
Windows 8
Multithreading - Operating systems that allow different parts of a program to run concurrently. Examples of operating systems that would fall into this category are:
Linux
Unix
Windows XP
Troubleshooting
Common questions and answers pertaining to operating systems in general can be found in the operating system questions and answers section below. All other questions relating to an operating system in particular can be found through its corresponding operating system page link in the box below.
Linux and variants | Windows 98 SE |
Operating system listing
Below is a listing of many of the different operating systems available today, the dates they were released, the platforms they have been developed for, and who developed them.
Operating system | Date first released | Platform | Developer |
---|---|---|---|
AIX and AIXL | Unix and Linux history. | Various | IBM |
AmigaOS | Currently no AmigaOS history. | Amiga | Commodore |
Android | November 5, 2007 | Mobile | |
BSD | Unix and Linux history. | Various | BSD |
Caldera Linux | Unix and Linux history. | Various | SCO |
Chrome OS | July 7, 2009 | Various | |
Corel Linux | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Corel |
CP/M | Currently no CP/M history. | IBM | CP/M |
Debian Linux | Unix and Linux history. | Various | GNU |
DUnix | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Digital |
DYNIX/ptx | Unix and Linux history. | Various | IBM |
HP-UX | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Hewlett Packard |
iOS | 2010 | Mobile | Apple |
IRIX | Unix and Linux history. | Various | SGI |
Kondara Linux | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Kondara |
Linux | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Linus Torvalds |
Mac OS 8 | Apple operating system history. | Apple Macintosh | Apple |
Mac OS 9 | Apple operating system history. | Apple Macintosh | Apple |
Mac OS 10 | Apple operating system history. | Apple Macintosh | Apple |
macOS X | Apple operating system history. | Apple Macintosh | Apple |
Mandriva Linux | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Mandriva |
MINIX | Unix and Linux history. | Various | MINIX |
MS-DOS 1.x | MS-DOS history. | IBM | Microsoft |
MS-DOS 2.x | MS-DOS history. | IBM | Microsoft |
MS-DOS 3.x | MS-DOS history. | IBM | Microsoft |
MS-DOS 4.x | MS-DOS history. | IBM | Microsoft |
MS-DOS 5.x | MS-DOS history. | IBM | Microsoft |
MS-DOS 6.x | MS-DOS history. | IBM | Microsoft |
NEXTSTEP | Apple operating system history. | Various | Apple |
OS/2 | 1987 | IBM | IBM |
OSF/1 | Unix and Linux history. | Various | OSF |
QNX | Unix and Linux history. | Various | QNX |
Red Hat Linux | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Red Hat |
SCO | Unix and Linux history. | Various | SCO |
Slackware Linux | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Slackware |
Sun Solaris | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Sun |
SuSE Linux | Unix and Linux history. | Various | SuSE |
Symbian | 1997 | Mobile | Nokia |
System 1 | Apple operating system history. | Apple Macintosh | Apple |
System 2 | Apple operating system history. | Apple Macintosh | Apple |
System 3 | Apple operating system history. | Apple Macintosh | Apple |
System 4 | Apple operating system history. | Apple Macintosh | Apple |
System 6 | Apple operating system history. | Apple Macintosh | Apple |
System 7 | Apple operating system history. | Apple Macintosh | Apple |
System V | Unix and Linux history. | Various | System V |
Tru64 Unix | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Digital |
Turbolinux | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Turbolinux |
Ultrix | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Ultrix |
Unisys | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Unisys |
Unix | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Bell labs |
UnixWare | Unix and Linux history. | Various | UnixWare |
VectorLinux | Unix and Linux history. | Various | VectorLinux |
Windows 10 | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Windows 2000 | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Windows 2003 | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Windows 3.X | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Windows 7 | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Windows 8 | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Windows 95 | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Windows 98 | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Windows CE | Microsoft Windows history. | PDA | Microsoft |
Windows ME | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Windows NT | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Windows Vista | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Windows XP | Microsoft Windows history. | IBM | Microsoft |
Xenix | Unix and Linux history. | Various | Microsoft |
Common operating system questions and answers
Additional information
- See our operating system definition for further information and related links.
When you upgrade to macOS Catalina, you get more of everything you love about Mac. Experience dedicated apps for music, TV, and podcasts. Smart new features in the apps you use every day. And Sidecar, which lets you use iPad as a second Mac display. Best of all, upgrading is free and easy.
Chances are, your Mac can run macOS Catalina.
Mac computers with Metal-capable graphics processors (GPUs) can upgrade to macOS Catalina.
Make sure you’re ready to upgrade.
Before you upgrade, we recommend that you back up your Mac. Then, if your Mac is running OS X Mavericks 10.9 or later, you can upgrade directly to macOS Catalina.
Upgrading is free. And easier than you think.
Upgrading from macOS Mojave?
Go to Software Update in System Preferences to find the macOS Catalina upgrade. Click Upgrade Now and follow the onscreen instructions to begin your upgrade. If you don’t have broadband access, you can upgrade your Mac at any Apple Store.
Upgrading from an older version of macOS?
If you’re running High Sierra (10.13), Sierra (10.12), or El Capitan (10.11), upgrade to macOS Catalina from the App Store. If you’re running Lion (10.7) or Mountain Lion (10.8), you will need to upgrade to El Capitan (10.11) first. If you don’t have broadband access, you can upgrade your Mac at any Apple Store.
New Operating System For Mac
- OS X 10.9 or later
- 4GB of memory
- 12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*
- Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
- Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.
For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina:
- MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
- MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
- Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
Siri
Requires a broadband internet connection and microphone (built-in or external).
Hey Siri
Supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook Pro (2018 or newer)
- MacBook Air (2018 or newer)
- iMac Pro
Dictation, Voice Control, and Voice Memos
Requires a microphone (built-in or external).
Spotlight Suggestions
Requires a broadband internet connection.
Gestures
Requires a Multi-Touch trackpad, Force Touch trackpad, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse.
Force Touch gestures require a Force Touch trackpad.
VoiceOver gestures require a Multi-Touch trackpad, Force Touch trackpad, or Magic Trackpad.
Photo Booth
Requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built-in or external), or USB video class (UVC) camera.
FaceTime
Audio calls require a microphone (built-in or external) and broadband internet connection.
Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built-in or external), or a USB video class (UVC) camera; and broadband internet connection.
Apple TV
High Dynamic Range (HDR) video playback is supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook Pro (2018 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (2019) with Pro Display XDR
Dolby Atmos soundtrack playback is supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook Air (2018 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (2018 or newer)
Sidecar
Supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook (2016 or newer)
- MacBook Air (2018 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (2016 or newer)
- Mac mini (2018 or newer)
- iMac (late 2015 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017 or newer)
- Mac Pro (2019)
Supported by all iPad models with Apple Pencil support:
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro
- 11-inch iPad Pro
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- iPad (6th generation or later)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
Continuity Camera
Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 12 or later.
Continuity Sketch and Continuity Markup
Requires an iPhone with iOS 13 or an iPad with iPadOS.
Handoff
Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 8 or later.
Instant Hotspot
Requires an iPhone or iPad with cellular connectivity, a Lightning connector, and iOS 8.1 or later. Requires Personal Hotspot service through your carrier.
Universal Clipboard
Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 10 or later.
Auto Unlock
Supported by Mac models introduced in mid 2013 or later.
Requires an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later or an iPhone 5 or later.
Approve with Apple Watch
Supported by Mac models introduced in mid 2013 or later.
New Operating Systems For Mac Os X
Requires an Apple Watch with watchOS 6 or later or an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13.
Apple Pay on the Web
Requires MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 10 or later, or an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later.
Phone Calling
Requires an iPhone with iOS 8 or later and an activated carrier plan.
SMS
Requires an iPhone with iOS 8.1 or later and an activated carrier plan.
Home
Requires an iPhone with iOS 12 or later and a configured Home app.
AirDrop
AirDrop to iOS and iPadOS devices requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 7 or later.
AirPlay
AirPlay Mirroring requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later).
AirPlay for web video requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later).
Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac (2012 or later) and an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later.
Time Machine
Requires an external storage device (sold separately).
Power Nap
Supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
- MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
- MacBook Pro with Retina display (Mid 2012 or newer)
- Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
Boot Camp
Allows Boot Camp installations of Windows 10 on supported Mac models.
List Of Operating Systems For Mac
Exchange Support
Requires Microsoft Office 365, Exchange 2016, Exchange 2013, or Exchange Server 2010. Installing the latest Service Packs is recommended.
Windows Migration
Supports OS X 10.7 or later and Windows 7 or later.
App Store
Available only to persons age 13 or older in the U.S. and many other countries and regions.
- Apple Books
- Apple News
- App Store
- Automator
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Chess
- Contacts
- Dashboard
- Dictionary
- DVD Player
- FaceTime
- Find My
- Font Book
- Home
- Image Capture
- Launchpad
- Maps
- Messages
- Mission Control
- Music
- Notes
- Photo Booth
- Photos
- Podcasts
- Preview
- QuickTime Player
- Reminders
- Safari
- Siri
- Stickies
- Stocks
- System Preferences
- TextEdit
- Time Machine
- TV
- Voice Memos
- Activity Monitor
- AirPort Utility
- Audio MIDI Setup
- Bluetooth File Exchange
- Boot Camp Assistant
- ColorSync Utility
- Console
- Digital Color Meter
- Disk Utility
- Grapher
- Keychain Access
- Migration Assistant
- Screenshot
- Screen Time
- Script Editor
- Sidecar
- System Information
- Terminal
- VoiceOver Utility
- Arabic
- Catalan
- Croatian
- Simplified Chinese
- Traditional Chinese
- Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong)
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- English (Australia)
- English (UK)
- English (U.S.)
- Finnish
- French
- French (Canada)
- German
- Greek
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Hungarian
Mac Operating System List
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Malay
- Norwegian
- Polish
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Portuguese
- Romanian
- Russian
- Slovak
- Spanish
- Spanish (Latin America)
- Swedish
- Thai
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Vietnamese