Top 10 Multi-Tasking Operating Systems 2021

 

In ancient time people were in low-efficiency level but technological evolution changed that issue. Computer act the main role of that change. It could do lots of things correctly and quickly so it became an essential thing for people.

Computer has three parts mainly. They are Hardware, Software, and Firmware. Computer Hardware is the physical components that a computer system requires to function. It encompasses everything with a circuit board that operates within a PC or laptop; including the motherboard, graphics card, CPU (Central Processing Unit), power supply, and so on.  Firmware is a specific class of computer software that provides low-level control for a device's specific hardware but without firmware, the most basic of devices would not function. That is why it is often stored on a Read-Only Memory (ROM) chip, ensuring it does not get erased by accident, all while remaining as close as possible to the metal of the device.
Software is a program that enables a computer to perform a specific task, as opposed to the physical components of the system (hardware).

 

In this article I consider about Operating Systems only because it is the main software part of the computer.

What is an Operating System?

An operating system in its most general definition is the software that allows a user to run crucial applications on his/her computing device. It helps to manage computer hardware, software resources and provides common services for computer programs. It helps to support basic functions like scheduling tasks, and controlling peripherals. In addition to that Operating System controls all input and output devices and it needs to install other software.

There are lots of operating systems but we can include all operating systems into 4 categories.

1. Single-user operating systems(One time- One user)
   Example: MS-Dos Operating System
2. Multi-User Operating Systems(One time- multi-users)
   This type of operating system mainly uses for mainframe computers.
   Example: Linux. Windows server
3. Multi-Tasking operating systems(one time- One user but a lot of works)
   Example: Windows 8, Windows 10, Ubuntu, Mac os
4. Real-time Operating Systems(Quick response)
   This type of operating system mainly uses for Automatic machines and scientific equipment.
   Example: ATM, calculators

Top 10 Multi-Tasking Operating Systems 

MS-Windows

This is the most famous and familiar Operating System in the world. It is user-friendly and multi-tasking. Users can use it easily. Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointer make that easy. It mainly uses for personal use but also uses for gaming, browsing, and other simple professional works. MS Windows has Operating system series. Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 are some of them.

 

Features- 

• User-friendly interface and anyone can easily use it
• The Task View feature
• Two separate user interfaces, one for mouse and keyboard 
• Multifactor authentication technology for higher security like BIN, PIN, Fingerprint recognition, etc.
• It helps in making it possible to complete all types of tasks on your computer. For example, check your email, edit digital photos, can use Windows to browse the Internet, listen to music, and more.
• Day to day update security options
• Huge and useful help center that active 24 hours.

On the other hand, I can see some demerit things. As a result of a famous lot of hackers try to find vulnerabilities so it becomes a security problem for your personal data. In addition to that disk defragmentation and problems of malware protection are also threat in MS windows os.

More details: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a famous open-source Operating system. You can download, use and share it freely. It is a Linux-based, multi-task operating system. It is designed for computers and smartphones not only it is also designed for network servers. This system is developed by a UK-based company called Canonical Ltd. All the principles used to create the Ubuntu software are based on the principles of Open Source software development. This operating system mainly uses for Open Source Downloading, Running Apps, Browsers, and Gaming.

Features- 

• Ubuntu is an Open Source software, it can be freely downloaded, used, and shared.
• It comes with a specific firewall and high-level virus protection software, making it the most secure OS around.
• Five years of security patches and updates.
• Ubuntu is fully translated into 50 different languages.
• It works and is compatible with all the latest laptops, desktops, and also touch screen devices.
• High-level protection for your data
• The desktop version supports all the standard software
• It has its own office suite called the LibreOffice
• It has an in-built software called Thunderbird that gives the user access to email like Exchange, Gmail, Hotmail, etc.
• The best feature is that it is a free operating system and is backed by a vast open source community.

Ubuntu has lots of useful things but it also has adverse things. Poor support for NVIDIA graphic card, older versions of WIFI devices are unreliable, need high DPI monitors are main issues.

                           
                       More details: https://ubuntu.com/desktop

Mac OS

Mac OS is another famous and multi-task operating system. This OS is used for only apple macintosh computers This system is developed by American computer company Apple Inc. In recent years, the MAC operating systems have been completely free with the occasional free upgrade by its developers. For Apple users, there is no other option except the MAC OS. It mainly uses to run Apple-exclusive Apps.

Features- 

• Less susceptibility to malware
• High-level security system
• A dynamic desktop that helps to automatically organize your desktop files by kind, date, or tag.
• completely free upgrade by its developers.
• The new dark mode is easier on the eyes.
• Continuity camera that scans or photographs a document nearby your iPhone and automatically appears on your mac.
• MAC app store can use to get applications 
• New iTunes allows users to search for songs.
• Prevent websites from tracking your Mac by making your profile more anonymous online.

Mac OS has some adverse things. Limited and Restricted Availability of Apps is the main cause. Mac OS can run their store apps only but it hasn't some important apps which have other stores. This issue is mainly for gamers and other application developers. Furthermore, Apple devices are expensive so someone can't access Mac OS. Availability problems and the high price of hardware devices is the other problem.  

More details: https://www.apple.com/mac/

Fedora

Fedora is another famous open-source Operating system. You can download it freely. It is a Linux-based, multi-task operating system like ubuntu. It gives Ubuntu’s open-source features a run for the money. Fedora is a reliable and user-friendly Operating system. It also makes for a powerful operating system for any laptop and desktop computer. This Operating system is for casual users and caters to students and professionals working in corporate environments. It is important for Open Source Developments.

Features- 

• Reliable and user-friendly Operating system
• Fast and stable updates
• Fast and High-quality Performance
• A sleek new user interface allows the developers to focus on their code in Gnome 3 environment.
• It offers a complete open-source toolbox with languages, tools, and utilities in all just a click or commands away.
• Containerize the own applications or deploy applications out of the box with OCI (Open Container Initiative) image support.
• It will enable you to dig into powerful virtualization tools to get virtual machines up and running.
• Fedora has one of the most significant communities, and it will help you sort issues that might have you stuck while using the distro.

Fedora has some demerits. This OS is mainly developed for open source developers so it has some deep concepts that can't understand beginners. Therefore I don't recommend this os for beginners. Furthermore Updating to a new release can be problematic, Proprietary drivers are unsupported and Optimus support is terrible.

More Details: https://getfedora.org/

 

Solaris

Solaris is an open-source Operating system. This is also a multi-task and high perform operating system. It is a Unix-based operating system that is developed by Sun Microsystems. Later it was acquired by Oracle and is known as Oracle Solaris. It is known for its scalability and several other features that made it possible such as Dtrace, ZFS, and Time Slider. It mainly uses for Large workload processing and managing multiple databases.

Features- 

• Provides the most advanced security features in the world
• Allows for scalability, interoperability, and data management
• It offers indisputable performance advantages for web, database, and java-based services.
• Delivers high-performance networking without any modification.
• Unlimited capacity for helping in managing file systems and databases.
• There are limited system privileges that are being provided to employees, contractors, etc.
• Allows seamless inter-operability for solving hundreds of hardware and software problems.
• Dtrace, ZFS, and Time Slider Facilities

Solaris OS has some adverse things. This OS is mainly developed for managing multiple databases so it isn't comfortable for use as our personal os because we can't focus our other work through this os. In addition to that, this os is a powerful OS so it has some deep concepts that can't understand beginners. Therefore I don't recommend this os for beginners. Support Costs and Open Source Software Principles Issues are other issues.

More Details: https://www.oracle.com/solaris/solaris11/

Free BSD

Free BSD is another open-source Operating system. This is also a multi-task and high perform operating system. It is a Unix-based operating system. Its first developer was the University of California. It is compatible with various platforms and focuses on features such as stability and speed. It is mainly used for Networking, Internet and Intranet server compatibility

Features- 

• It has the ability to deliver a robust operating system
• It is ideal for intranet and internet services
• Advanced networking, compatibility, and security features 
• It can handle large loads and manages memory efficiently to maintain good responses for multiple simultaneous users.
• The advanced embedded platform caters to higher-end Intel-based appliances.
• Easy to install through CD-ROM, DVD, or directly over the network using FTP and NPS.
• It uses ipfw as the firewall.
• The license is less restrictive
• It boots and reboots faster than Linux.

Free BSD has some demerit things. This OS is mainly developed for networking so it has huge support for that field but this OS can't use as our personal operating system because it has deep network concepts and hasn't basic features that we always use. Less community support especially for Newcomers and old file systems are other problems of this operating system.

   More Details: https://www.freebsd.org/

Chrome OS

Chrome OS is another open-source Operating system. This is also a multi-task and free operating system. Chrome OS can power low-cost computers. Chrome OS is another Linux-kernel-based operating software that is designed by Google. It uses the Google Chrome web browser as its principal user interface. This OS primarily supports web applications. Google added a recent additional feature to run Android apps. That is the main advantage of this OS.

Features-

• Chrome OS focuses on the essential part of your computer that is your web browser. 
• Chrome OS is 100% web-based.
• It eliminates time.
• Nothing is stored in your system. 
• Chrome OS is free
• It has a media player that enables the users to play music, view images, and handle other multimedia files.
• Powers low-cost computers.
• Improved Offline features
• Runs Android apps.

Chrome OS is a good operating system to run android apps without any stuck but it has some adverse things. Unexpected program and system shutdowns, Weak file management, Difficult VPN setup. Difficult VPN setup and Inconsistent app behavior among Android apps and between Android and Chrome apps are the main problems of this operating system.

More Details: https://www.google.com/chromebook/chrome-os/

Red Hat Linux

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is the world’s leading enterprise Linux platform. It’s an open-source operating system (OS). It’s the foundation from which you can scale existing apps and roll out emerging technologies across bare-metal, virtual, container and all types of cloud environments. This is also a multi-task, free, secure, and stable operating system.

Features-

• The Upstream is the reference and gold standard for Enterprise Linux worldwide
• Prompt technical support
• State-of-the-art install and deploy services and frameworks
• Openstack and various Cloud OS support.
• Prompt action to CVE's and excellent support for security patches
• High-security level and stability
•  After you set up your environment, you can forget about upgrades and migrations for at least 5 or even 10 years.
•  well documented

Red Hat Linux is a good Operating system but it has some demerits. Expensive to license this OS and Expensive to maintain especially for large clusters that is the major problem. Lags behind on many bleeding-edge features due to older kernels os another problem. Included repositories are not covered all use cases. You can get the latest security pathing update only if you have the subscription enabled. Those are other problems.

More Details:   https://www.redhat.com/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux

CentOS

CentOS is another open-source Operating system that allows robust platform management. This is also a multi-task and free operating system. The CentOS Linux distribution is a stable, predictable, manageable, and reproducible platform derived from the sources of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Since March 2004, CentOS Linux has been a community-supported distribution derived from sources freely provided to the public by Red Hat. It mainly uses developers who are looking for an operating system that simply helps them to perform their coding tasks.

Features-

• Building and releasing the core CentOS Linux platform
• Providing Xen4 support for CentOS 6
• Improving the user experience with high-quality artwork
• Extensive resources for coders looking to build, test, and release their codes.
• Advanced networking, compatibility, and security features are still missing in many OS today.
• High performance on the hardware.
• Security and other updates are regular.
• Documentation and community support are good.
• It provides the most advanced security features.

Centos is a superb operating system for developers because this OS is mainly developed for coders looking to build, test, and release their codes but it isn't good for use as a personal operating system if you are a beginner. It has options for full access for admin users. It is another issue.  Sometimes you have to add some esoteric repositories.

More Details: https://www.centos.org/

Debian

Debian is another open-source Operating system. This is also a multi-task and free operating system. Debian is another Linux-kernel-based operating system developed by the community-supported Debian Project, which was established by Ian Murdock on August 16, 1993. The first version of Debian (0.01) was released on September 15, 1993. It is mainly used for Running Apps. The Debian Stable branch is the most popular edition for personal computers

Features-

• Debian has access to online repositories that contain over 51,000 packages.
• Debian includes popular free programs such as LibreOffice, Firefox web browser, Evolution mail, K3b disc burner, VLC media player, GIMP image editor, and Evince document viewer.
• Faster and lighter than the other OS, irrespective of the processor speed.
• It comes with in-built security firewalls to protect valuable data.
• Easy to install through any medium.
• The Debian 10 installer is available in 76 languages.

Debian is a good operating system, especially for servers. It has Some demerit things. It doesn't update its operating system by using the newest technologies. The cost of Debian’s stability is often a software that is several versions behind the latest. For networking, Debian is an obvious choice, especially if you prefer to support yourself rather than buy a service contract from Red Hat or SUSE. But, for a desktop user, Debian’s frequent lack of up-to-dateness may be frustrating, especially if you have hardware unsupported by its kernel.

More Details: https://www.debian.org/