Introduction
Apple incorporation is an international company that deals in electronic gadgets, computer software and hardware. Its operations began on 1ST April 1976 through the efforts of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak as the founders. Apple incorporation mainly specializes in the manufacture of iPhone, iPod, Macintosh computers and iPad which is the latest computer technology. It is currently the world’s largest technology company and the second largest in the world after Exxon Mobil.
Microsoft is a corporation based in America that deals in developing of a vast collection of computer software and licenses. Bill Gates founded it in the year 1975 together with his friend Paul Allen.
Its growth was mainly achieved from the famous windows operating systems and their tricky business licensing rights as seen in the MS-DOS. Microsoft is also well known for its most preferred office suite in the world that is commonly used for instance the Microsoft office 2003, 2007, 2010 that are common in the computer market (Coursey, 2009, p.1).
Differences
Since both deal in the development of operating system a distinction is made in the release and their uses. For instance when Microsoft is producing operating systems they produce one operating system but with several versions of the same. This is seen in windows xp where we have service pack one, two and three or in windows vista home basic, business and ultimate.
They produce them in such a way that it’s the same only a few features have been improved or upgraded. Contrary Apple releases are final such that only one operating system with no upgrades. They also ensure that their operating systems give their customers maximum satisfaction.
Apple specializes in both hardware and software production in that it manufactures the computer itself and the operating system. The Apple operating systems only function on Mac computers which are produced and distributed by Apple incorporation (Coursey, 2009, p.1).
Their operating systems do not function well on other non-Apple computers. Unlike Apple, Microsoft only deals in software production and distribution. They do not produce computers and thereby the sell their software to computer manufacturers such as dell, Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba, Lenovo among others. The computer manufacturers then sell their computer brands with Microsoft operating systems installed.
Microsoft operating systems are compatible with almost all computers. This implies that Microsoft operating system can run on any computer in the world today except the Mac. Unlike Microsoft that runs on many computer brands, Apple operating system and software are only meant for Mac computers only. This means that apple products are exclusively meant for Mac computers only.
Similarities
Both Apple and Microsoft corporations are worldwide companies that deal in the development and distribution of computer software and operating system. The most recent Microsoft operating systems include windows seven, vista and server among others while Apple’s most recent is the Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard (Bleeker, 2010, p.1). The two companies provide software that help in the running of a computers and other electronic gadgets.
The two just like any other businesses have their goals and objectives. These include making profits and satisfying their customers’ wants and needs. They have to make sure they stay in business and it is through this that they have come up with a licensing program. The license helps to prevent imitation of their products and that is why genuine products from both companies have serial numbers or product keys.
Conclusion
In a nutshell Microsoft and Apple Corporation both deal with software and hardware development and distribution. They mainly aim at providing solutions brought about by the desires and wants of their customers. Their products have become part of our lives that we cannot do without due to their application in the daily lives today.
Reference List
Bleeker, E. (2010). Apple vs. Microsoft: Who Owns the Future? Retrieved from https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2010/06/04/apple-versus-microsoft-who-owns-the-future.aspx
Coursey, D. (2009). Microsoft vs. Apple: Running stupid, Not Scared. Retrieved from https://www.pcworld.com/article/168603/Microsoft_vs_Apple_Running_Stupid_Not_Scared.html