Under Review: Windows 8 and OS X Lion

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Category: Reviews

Published on Sunday, 12 February 2012 03:06

Written by Christian Dunn

2012 is going to be a big year in technology and I wanted to get an early start. Currently in my virtual lab I am testing Windows 8 and OS X Lion 10.7.2.

Hot off the presses is OS X Lion 10.7.2 that latest Apple operating system. Following the popularity of the iPod, iPhone and iPad we have seen a noticeable growth in market share of Apple computers. Predominantly led by users now familiar with Apple products taking the step from their PC to their first Mac.

While still a learning curve for home users the real challenges apply when these devices are beginning to be transferred into the enterprise usually into previously Windows only environments. Steve Jobs made no secret of his disregard for the enterprise and how his focus was on creating consumer products to inspire ingenuity. Without a doubt he succeeded in this with the development of all of these devices which consumers love, but where does this leave enterprise users and what happens when these devices and apple computers in general enter the enterprise?

Generally there are problems with integration, usability and higher support volumes, or mac users end up running in their own isolated silo away from the rest of the business isolated from the corporate environment. So why do we see problems? It is due to the inability to integrate the operating system into a traditionally windows environment? Is it due to a lack of understanding of the differences in the operating systems? Can you do everything you normally do on your Windows computer on the mac? Is it still secure?

To reopen the case in this high adoption period, the only solution was to make it happen, so with my virtualised OS X Lion 10.7.2 machine join me over the next few weeks as I enter the Lion's den and attempt to fully integrate into our corporate network and replace my daily Windows 7 machine with a Mac. Let the games begin...

....but wait, there's more...

Microsoft is not about to let Apple take over so easily, entering the ring in the far corner, we have the new kid on the block, Windows 8, ready for your home desktop this year.

So what's new? What's changed? What works? Join me as I take the Windows 8 developer preview for a test drive.

Watch this space.

Christian.