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See also kinds of operating systems for a general, non-technical discussion of operating systems and the purposes of various kinds of operating systems.
“The rules for PC buyers are quite different than those governing high-end buyers. IT consumers of high-end equipment weigh features and stability along with vendor credibility, as they assume they will have to hire the expertise to manage any environment they choose. IT consumers of PC equipment tend to stick with the safe lowest-common-denominator choice and leverage their existing expertise on staff.” —Nicholas Petreley, “The new Unix alters NT’s orbit”, NC Worldw74
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Windows XP is a server, workstation, and desktop operating systems made by Microsoft that run on the Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
low quality servers | low quality workstations desktop |
not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| XP | Pentium | 32 bits 2 (Professional), 4 (Server), 8 (Server Advanced) processors |
Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows 2000 Advanced Server are server and workstation operating systems made by Microsoft that run on the Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
low quality servers | low quality workstations | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 2000 | Pentium | 32 bits (Professional and Server), partially 64 bits (Advanced Server) bits 2 (Professional), 4 (Server), 8 (Server Advanced) processors |
Windows NT, Windows NT Server, and Windows NT Server Enterprise Edition are server and workstation operating systems made by Microsoft that run on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium, Intel 80x86, and DEC Alpha.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
low quality servers | low quality workstations | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 5 (2000) | Pentium | 32 bits 4 processors |
Windows ME (Millenium Edition) is a low quality desktop operating system made by Microsoft that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
not appropriate | desktop | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| ME | Pentium | 24 bits 1 processor |
Windows 98 is a low quality desktop operating system made by Microsoft that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium and Intel 486DX.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
low end servers | desktop | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 98 | 486DX, Pentium | 24 bits 1 processor |
Windows 95 is an obsolete desktop operating system made by Microsoft that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium and Intel 80486.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
low end servers | desktop | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 95 | 80486, Pentium | 16 bits 1 processor |
Windows 3.1 is an obsolete desktop operating system made by Microsoft that runs on Intel 80486, 80386, and 80286.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
low end servers | desktop | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 3.11 | 80486, 80386, 80286 | 16 bits 1 processor |
MS-DOS is a text-based desktop operating system made by Microsoft that runs on Intel 80x86.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
not appropriate | desktop system for older hardware | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 8 | 80486, 80386, 80286, 8086, 8088 | 16 bits 1 processor |
PC-DOS-2000 is a text-based desktop operating system made by IBM as an update of the older MS-DOS. It runs on Intel 80x86. Only low end servers can run on this operating system.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
not appropriate | desktop system for older hardware | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 2000 | 80x86, Pentium | 16 bits 1 processor |
Macintosh OS X Server (MXS) is a server operating system based on Rhapsody. MXS is made by Apple Computers and runs on Motorola/IBM PowerPC.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary UNIX† |
small to medium scale servers | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 1.2 | PowerPC | 64 bits 2 processors |
Macintosh OS X (ten) is a desktop operating system based on Rhapsody. Macintosh OS X is made by Apple Computers and will run on Motorola/IBM PowerPC.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary BSD UNIX† |
small to medium scale servers | general desktop and content creation workstations | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 10.1.2 | PowerPC G3 and G4 | 64 bits 2 processors |
Macintosh OS 9, OS 8, OS 7, and OS 6 are desktop operating systems made by Apple Computers that run on Motorola/IBM PowerPC and Motorola 680x0.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
small scale servers | general desktop and content creation workstations | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 9 | 680x0, PowerPC | 32 bits 4 processors |
OS/2 is a high performance desktop and high end operating system made by IBM that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium and Intel 80x86.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
Warp for small to medium scale servers | client for desktops and workstations | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 4.51 | 80486, Pentium | 32 bits 1 processor |
LINUX is a free version of UNIX† that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium, Intel 80x86, Motorola/IBM PowerPC, Motorola 680x0, Sun SPARC, SGI MIPS, DEC Alpha, HP PA-RISC, DEC VAX, ARM, API 1000+, and CL-PS7110.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| open source UNIX† |
small to large scale servers | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 2.4.2 | Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium, 80486, 80386, 80286 (partial port), 8086 (partial port), IBM/Motorola PowerPC, Motorola 68060, 68040, 68030, 68020, 68000, Sun SPARC, Sun SPARC64 (Ultra), SGI MIPS, DEC Alpha, HP-PA RISC, ARM, API 1000+, CL-PS7110 | 32 or 64 bits (depending on processor) 4 processors |
FreeBSD is a free version of UNIX† that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium and Intel 80486.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| open source BSD UNIX† |
small to large scale servers | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | embedded systems | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 3.1 | Pentium, 80486, 80386, PowerPC, DEC Alpha | 32 bits 4 processors |
NetBSD is a free version of UNIX† that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium, Intel 80486, Intel 80386, Motorola/IBM PowerPC, Motorola 680x0, Sun SPARC, HP PA-RISC, DEC VAX, and ARM.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| open source BSD UNIX† |
small to large scale servers | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | embedded systems | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 1.4.2 | Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium, 80486, 80386, IBM/Motorola PowerPC, Motorola 68040, 68030, Sun SPARC, Sun UltraSPARC, SGI MIPS, DEC Alpha, VAX, HP PA-RISC, ARM (ARM26, ARM32, Strong ARM), Cobalt Qube and Raq machines, PC532, SH3 embedded systems | 32 or 64 bits (depending on processor) 1 processor |
OpenBSD is a free version of UNIX† that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium, Intel 80486, Intel 80386, Motorola/IBM PowerPC, Motorola 680x0, Sun SPARC, HP PA-RISC, DEC VAX, and ARM.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| open source BSD UNIX† |
small to large scale servers | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| Pentium, 80486, 80386, 68040, Sun SPARC, SGI MIPS, DEC Alpha, HP PA-RISC |
GNU Hurd is a free open source operating system.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| open source | small to medium scale servers | workstations (for those with command line familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| Pentium |
Solaris is a UNIX†-based operating system made by Sun Computers that runs on Sun SPARC and Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary UNIX† |
medium to large scale servers; corporate databases; supercomputers | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 8 | Sun UltraSPARC, Sun SPARC, Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium Pentium, Intel 486DX | 64 bits 64 processors |
SunOS is an older text-based UNIX† that runs on Sun SPARC. Solaris is an enhancement of SunOS that includes a graphic user interface.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary UNIX† |
medium to large scale servers | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 5.8 | Sun SPARC | 64 bits 64 processors |
HP-UX is a UNIX†-based operating system made by Hewlett-Packard that runs on HP PA RISC.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary UNIX† |
small to large scale servers; database servers; mainframes | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 11.11 (aka 11i v1.0) (for HP PA-RISC) 11.20 (aka 11iv1.5) (for Intel Itanium) |
HP PA-RISC (HP9000 workstations and servers), HP Focus (HP9000/500 family), Motorola 680x0 (HP9000/300 family) Intel Itanium |
64 bits 128 processors |
VMS is a high performance operating system made by Compaq/DEC that runs on DEC VAX. OpenVMS is an updated version of VMS.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
medium to large scale servers; minicomputers; mainframes | workstations (for those with command line familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 7.2-1 | DEC Alpha, VAX | 64 bits Alpha; 32 bits VAX 16 processors |
Tru64 Unix (formerly Digital UNIX) is a UNIX-based† operating system made by Compaq/DEC for the DEC Alpha.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary UNIX† |
medium to large scale servers; minicomputers; mainframes | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 5.1 | DEC Alpha | 64 bits |
ULTRIX is a UNIX†-based operating system made by Compaq/DEC. ULTRIX has been replaced by Digital UNIX.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary UNIX† |
medium to high scale servers; minicomputers; mainframes | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| V4.5 | VAX, MIPS | 32 bits 6 processors |
IRIX is a UNIX†-based operating system made by SGI that runs on SGI MIPS.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary UNIX† |
medium to large scale servers; super computers | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 6.5.11 | SGI MIPS | 64 bits 128 processors |
NeXT is a UNIX†-based operating system made by NeXT that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium, Intel 80486, and Motorola 68040. OpenSTEP runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium, Intel 80486, Motorola 68040, Sun SPARC, and HP PA RISC.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary UNIX† |
small and medium scale server systems; some enterprise systems | primarily for scientific, mathematic, or engineering workstations | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| Pentium, 80486, 68040, Sun SPARC, HP PA-RISC |
Rhapsody is a UNIX†-based operating system that includes capabilities from the NeXT and Macintosh operating systems. Rhapsody is made by Apple Computers and will run on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium and Motorola/IBM PowerPC and will have a Run Time Library for Windows.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary UNIX† |
small to medium scale servers | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| DR 2 | Pentium, PowerPC | 32 bits 4 processors |
AIX is IBM’s version of UNIX†.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary UNIX† |
medium to large scale servers; mainframes | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 4.3.3 | PowerPC | 64 bits 24 processors |
MVS is a mainframe operating system made by IBM.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
medium to large scale servers; mainframes | workstations (for those with command line familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 5.2 | System/360, System/370, System/390 |
NetWare “is a dedicated network operating system” that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium, Intel 80486, and Intel 80386.e16
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
small to large scale servers; internal networks | not appropriate | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 5.1 | Pentium, 80486, 80386, 80286, 68000 | 32 bits 4 processors |
BeOS is a high performance desktop operating system made by Be that runs on Motorola/IBM PowerPC and Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
not appropriate | general desktop and content creation workstations | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 4 | Pentium, PowerPC | 64 bits 8 processors |
AmigaOS is an old but popular operating system that is being resurrected. Only low end servers can run on this operating system.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary custom |
small scale servers | general desktop and video editing workstations | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 3.5 | PowerPC, 68060, 68040, 68030, 68020, 68000, Pentium | 32 bits 2 processors |
SCO OpenServer is a UNIX†-based† operating system that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary Sys V UNIX† |
small to large scale servers; mainframes | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 5.0.6 | Pentium, 80486, 80386 |
SCO UnixWare is a UNIX†-based† operating system that runs on Intel/Cyrix/AMD Pentium.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary Sys V UNIX† |
small to large scale servers; mainframes | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 7.1.1 | Pentium, 80486, 80386 |
Pyramid uses the MIPS chipset, and did the reference port of SysVr4 to those chips under contract to Unix System Laboratories (USL). Pyramid runs Sys V, release 4.2 (with their own enhancements).
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary UNIX† |
medium to large scale servers; mainframes | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 1.1-[cd]087.4 for nile and mis series reliant unix 5.43C20 for rm1000 |
MIPS | 32 bits 24 processors |
BSDi Internet Super Server (also known as BSD/OS) is a commercial BSD UNIX† for Pentiums and other processors.
| kind | server/mainframe | desktop/workstation | handheld | real time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| proprietary BSD UNIX† |
small to large scale servers | workstations (for those with UNIX familiarity) | not appropriate | not appropriate |
| current version |
hardware supported | number of bits maximum processors |
||
| 4.0 | Pentium, 80486, 80386, Sun SPARC and Ultra-SPARC, PowerPC |
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This web site handcrafted on Macintosh computers using Tom Bender’s Tex-Edit Plus 
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†UNIX used as a generic term unless specifically used as a trademark (such as in the phrase “UNIX certified”).
Names and logos of various OSs are trademarks of their respective owners.
Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Milo
Last Updated: January 15, 2002
Created (from portions of index.htm): September 26, 2000
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