Microsoft vs Apple: A Comparison of Tech Giants and a Personal Journey in Computer Science
Microsoft – An Overview
Microsoft was founded on April 4, 1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Currently headquartered in Redmond, Washington, it develops and commercializes software, besides manufacturing electronic devices such as Xbox, one of its flagship products.
Microsoft’s Diverse Product Range
Microsoft has an enormous variety of products, from Windows Server used by IT professionals in the construction of servers to Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8, although these are focused on personal use.
These products are referred to as Operating Systems. They are responsible for ensuring communication between Man and Computer. Without them, we can’t accomplish anything on them. In addition to operating systems, Microsoft also offers very interesting tools for the general public.
Microsoft Office Suite and Internet Explorer
One of the most known and used is the Office suite which includes the well-known Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, and Access, amongst others. Microsoft also owns Internet Explorer, a native Web browser of Windows which has been losing many users to competitors like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. But despite this, Microsoft has invested a lot in the browser and it is, undoubtedly, one of the most powerful today.
Microsoft’s Global Reach and Philanthropic Efforts
Talking a little more about the company, it has about 100,000 employees. It’s easy to realize the global dimension that this company has. In the last year, Microsoft, with the release of Windows 8 and the appearance of Windows Phone, managed to get a profit of 6 billion dollars.
In short, Microsoft is a multi-national company with an impressive dimension. It’s a company concerned about satisfying their customers and focused on making their products of exceptional quality. Besides the need to satisfy the will of its clients, Microsoft is also interested in helping the poor. Bill Gates has even created a foundation dedicated to philanthropy called Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, dedicated to helping those in need and to support ideas that help build a more sustainable world.
Apple vs. Microsoft: A Head-to-Head Comparison
Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, and was created by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975. Apple is headquartered in Cupertino, California, USA, and was created by Steve Jobs, Paul Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976.
Software Suites: Office vs. iWork
Microsoft has a set of software composed by Word, Excel, and PowerPoint known as Office. Apple has a similar set known as iWork composed by Pages, Number, and Keynote, equivalent to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, respectively.
Operating Systems: Windows vs. Mac OS and Mobile Platforms
Microsoft also commercializes an operating system named Windows, as for Apple commercializes Mac OS. Besides these two, which are focused on laptops and desktops, there are also mobile operating systems. They are Windows Mobile/Phone from Microsoft and iOS from Apple. Both of them are completely different.
Windows is more exposed to viruses, but this is a reality that is about to change. The difference resides in the number of users that use these operating systems. Microsoft has many users but Apple has been gaining admirers and with time the amount of viruses made for Mac OS will be substantially bigger.
Hardware Compatibility and Customization
An important aspect to consider is the fact that Apple’s operating system, Mac OS, only runs on Intel processors. This means they are made for specific hardware, opposite to what happens on Windows, that runs on every processor.
Choosing the Right System: Factors to Consider
So, what to choose? This is a complex question. It all depends on the available money, the type of use being given to the computer, the apps needed, amongst other situations. However, there is something worth to note:
- Mac OS is made for specific hardware and it will generate stability in the system, it has a unique design, it is more expensive and the physical components of those machines can’t be altered.
- On the other hand, Windows is made to run on every IBM PC, has an enormous variety of styles since there are a lot of brands using Windows, there are equipments for every wallet and a bigger possibility to change physical components.
Curriculum Vitae – Leandro Rodrigues
My name is Leandro Rodrigues, I’m 19 years old and I live in Fagilde, Viseu.
Professional Experience
About my professional experience (as an internship):
- In July 2011, I worked as a Hardware and Software Maintenance and Installation Technician.
- In June 2012, I developed a computer application with a graphical user interface.
- In July 2013, I developed web scripts.
The first two internships were made at Overclock and the last one at Ename.
Education and Training
About my formation:
- From September 2005 to November 2005, I did a Computer Science course with three modules: Windows XP, Office XP, and Internet.
- From September 2010 to June 2013, I did my Level 4 Professional Qualification in Management and Programming of Computerized Systems at Emidio Navarro Secondary School.
- On October 2013, I started my Level 5 Professional Qualification in Installation and Maintenance of Computerized Systems.
Skills and Competencies
The résumé also encompasses the communication, organization, and technical skills.
Communication Skills
On a communicational level, I have team spirit, ability to work in a group, capability to adapt new concepts, good capability of communication and interaction, capability to listen to criticism and to learn with it. All of these characteristics were learned and acquired throughout my life as a student, through participation in indoor football and athleticism teams.
Organizational Skills
On an organizational level, I have good leadership capability and team spirit.
Technical Skills
On a technical level I have skills such as implementation and maintenance of Data Base Management Systems, development of software in general and static or dynamic websites. Besides all of these I also have advanced skills in Office and Visual Studio.
Career Goals and Future Aspirations
In short, this résumé allows me to apply to jobs in the Computer Science area. However, in the future and in order to deal with the most diverse situations and technological developments, I’ll have to get more formations to find a job more easily. Or at least to keep up with recent technological developments.