1. COMPUTER SOFTWARE

1.2. Factors to Consider When Choosing An Operating System

When choosing an operating system for a computer the following factors may be
considered:

  • The type of computer in terms of size and make. Operating systems are available for all sizes of computers.
  • The hardware configuration of the computer such as the memory capacity, processor speed, and hard disk capacity should meet the required minimum requirements for the operating system to run well.
  • The application software to be installed on the computer should be supported by the operating system. For example, Microsoft Office 2010 cannot run on Windows 2000.
  • The operating system should be user-friendly. This depends on the skills of the intended users of the computers.
  • The operating system should have adequate information and help guides for user reference.
  • The cost of the operating system
  • Reliability and security are provided by the operating system.
  • The number of processors and hardware devices it can support.
  • The number of users it can support
  • The availability of basic utilities and accessory programs within the operating system