The new operating systems: OS 2 Warp, Windows 95, and Mac System 7

Black Enterprise, May, 1995 by Ron Evans

A new dilemma has emerged now that Intel's Pentium processors and Motorola's PowerPC chips have increased the calculating and processing power of computers while lowering their prices. These faster and more powerful new chips are performing on an old operating system that does not make full use of the chip's capacity.

If you currently own any Macintosh computer or an IBM-compatible with Windows 3.11, you are running what the industry calls a 16-bit operating system. The computers themselves, however, are 32-bit microprocessors. What that means is that when you have more than one application running on your computer and one of those applications crashes, the machine's entire hard drive will crash.

To resolve this problem, Microsoft, IBM and Apple are introducing new operating systems to optimize 32-bit microprocessors and improve the performance of most computer applications. Ultimately, they will have a major effect on the shape of both home and business computing.

IBM OS/2 WARP VERSION 3.0

IBM's OS/2 Warp, the third version of OS/2 (suggested retail price, $129), has some major advantages worth considering. OS/2 Warp is a true 32-bit operating system that allows for multitasking, the ability to run simultaneous applications.

Although you can run more than one application on Windows 3.11 today, it's in a 16-bit environment where all of the applications share the same memory pool. If one application crashes, all the applications that are running crash. OS/2 Warp provides protected and separate memory pools for each application to run in. If one application dies, only that application, and nothing else, is affected.

OS/2 Warp is just as effective an operating system as earlier OS/2 versions, but IBM faces a big challenge in marketing it effectively. Software developers have not embraced the OS/2 operating system as they have Microsoft Windows.

To address this problem, IBM'S Warp supports all Windows software applications. If you currently have Windows, Warp will detect it and incorporate Windows into the Warp environment. If you do not have Windows, Warp installs a WIN-OS/2 shell that will run Windows applications. IBM also includes its own OS/2 software with a generous software bundle that comes with the operating system. If you're looking for value, IBM's OS/2 Warp 3.0 is certainly worth a test drive.

MICROSOFT WINDOWS 95

Windows 95 is one of the most eagerly awaited operating systems ever. While it will not be available before August--if then--it's a significant step forward in computing.

The Windows operating system you currently use is not a true operating system since it relies on the DOS system to execute functions. Windows 95 builds the operating system into Windows, eliminating the need for DOS.

Windows 95 also has a new "Plug and Play" hardware component recognition. Windows 95 is comparable to the Macintosh in the ease with which you can install boards and monitors and have the operating system identify and configure the device.

APPLE MACINTOSH SYSTEM 7.5

Apple's new Macintosh clones, and the blazing fast PowerPC line, place the company in a great position for 1995. Sporting this new hardware, System 7.5 (suggested retail price, $135) builds upon Apple's renowned ease of use while adding some nice refinements to the operating system.

Apple's PowerTalk and QuickDraw GX allow networked Macs to share information easily. Apple also has built-in file sharing, which allows one Macintosh to act as a file server for several other Macs so they can send and retrieve files. Earlier versions of System 7.0 also had this capability--something noticeably absent in OS/2 Warp and Windows 95. Unfortunately, System 7.5 does not support true 32-bit multitasking like OS/2 Warp and Windows 95. Therefore, the threat of serious applications crashes still exists.

OS/2 Warp, Windows 95 Macintosh System 7.5 are all excellent operating systems for computers serving small businesses. Whichever operating system you choose, they will provide features to make your computer and your office more productive.