Difference between Mobile Operating System and Desktop Operating System

Mobile and Desktop OSs are developed differently and for different purposes. Desktop operating systems are older and have a great spread and penetration among a broader population. Microsoft Windows and Mac OS have emerged as the two most popular OSs, and open-source Oss, including Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and GNU, have also gained popularity. Desktop operating systems are not designed to operate mobile devices via wireless networks.

In this article, you will learn the difference between the Mobile Operating System and Desktop Operating System. But before discussing the differences, you must know about the Mobile Operating System and Desktop Operating System.

What is Mobile Operating System?

A mobile OS allows application software to operate on mobile devices. It is similar to desktop OS in certain ways, but it is simpler and lighter in comparison. Smartphone operating systems include Windows Mobile, Palm webOS, Symbian OS, RIM's Blackberry, Android, iPhone OS, and Maemo. WebOS, Android, and Maemo are all variations on the Linux OS. The iPhone OS is based on BSD and NeXTSTEP, both of which are UNIX-related.

Mobile operating systems combine computer and handheld device features. They frequently incorporate a cellular modem and SIM card tray for phone and Internet services. When you acquire a mobile device, it comes preinstalled with a device-specific operating system.

Features of the Mobile Operating System

There are various features of a Mobile Operating System. Some features of the Mobile Operating System are as follows:

1. It is very easy to understand and utilize. The graphics of the mobile operating system is very attractive, and its features are very powerful and easy to use.
2. An OS gives focus on controlling the data and network usage. It also keeps the limit and requirements in focus.
3. It provides better apps to use. The apps should be simple and attractive.

What is Desktop Operating System?

The desktop OS is the environment in which a user manages a personal computer. It helps in the management of system hardware and software resources. For example, Windows, Mac OS, and various Linux distributions. It supports basic features, including task scheduling, printing, I/O, peripheral control, and memory allocation.

On the desktop, the OS user needs an operating system. The OS acts as a bridge between programs and system hardware. Some OS require installation, while others may come pre-installed with new computers. Microsoft Windows, MacOS, and Linux are the most popular desktop OSs. Graphical User Interface (GUI) is a feature of modern operating systems (GUI).

Microsoft Windows OS was introduced in the mid-1980s. There are various versions of Windows, the most recent of which are Windows 11 (2021), Windows 10 (2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes pre-installed on most of the new PCs, making it the most common OS in the world. Apple's MacOS is another well-known operating system. It is preinstalled on all Macintosh computers. Mojave (2018), High Sierra (2017), and Sierra (2016) are some of the major versions.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Desktop Operating System

There are various advantages and disadvantages of the desktop operating system. Some advantages and disadvantages of the desktop operating system are as follows:

Advantages

1. The operating system acts as a bridge between the user and the system hardware. It enables users to enter data, process it, and view the results.
2. It enables data and relevant information to be shared with other users through Players, Printers, Modems, and Fax Machines. Furthermore, a single user may simultaneously share the same data with several people via email.
3. The operating system must increase s and handle all aspects of computer operation as other programs' performance and software receive upgrades to improve their functionality. It is software that requires to be updated regularly to keep up with many functions. It may be simply updated without any problem.
4. It also helps in reducing the efforts required to access multiple data.
5. It is capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously. It enables users to complete several tasks simultaneously.
6. The failure of one system does not affect the others because every system component is independent of each other.

Disadvantages

1. It is an open-source OS, and all other platforms are considered to be expensive. Even while customers choose to use a free operating system, it is not always the best option because it lacks some functions.
2. Fragmentation is the process of dividing stored memory into fragments. If the process requires more space to execute a process than it was allocated, it will cause insufficient storage space. As a result, the process will take up far less space, causing internal fragmentation. Internal fragmentation is also a risk for operating systems.
3. The computer will not work without an OS. As a result, any malfunctions in the operating system will have an impact on the entire system.
4. Viruses are always more dangerous in an operating system. Users may unknowingly download dangerous programs, browse malicious websites, or open virus-infected email attachments, all of which may expose a computer to viruses.

Main Differences between the Mobile and Desktop Operating System

Here, you will learn the main differences between Mobile and the Desktop Operating System. Various main differences between the Mobile and the Desktop Operating System are as follows:

1. A mobile OS is a type of OS that allows application software to operate on mobile devices. On the other hand, the desktop OS is the environment in which a user handles a personal computer.
2. The mobile operating system uses a flash drive to store the data. On the other hand, the desktop operating system uses hard drives and flash drives to store data.
3. Mobile OS needs minimum RAM to optimize. On the other hand, the desktop OS needs huge memory to operate.
4. Mobile OS handles cellular and wireless connectivity and device access. On the other hand, the desktop OS handles the software and hardware resources of the system.
5. Mobile OS runs on touchscreen or touchpad devices. On the other hand, the desktop OS runs through many input devices, including mouse, keyboard, etc.
6. Mobile OS takes less time to boot. On the other hand, the desktop OS boots much slower.
7. Mobile OS is optimized to work under fewer power requirements and has a feature to avoid energy loss. On the other hand, the desktop OS is not readily optimized for energy loss.
8. Some examples of the Mobile OS are Apple iOS, Blackberry OS, iPhone, Google Android, Bada, Symbian OS, Palm OS, Windows Mobile OS, Harmony OS, WebOS, etc. In contrast, some examples of the desktop OS are Windows 10, MacOS, Windows Vista, etc.

Head-to-head comparison between the Mobile and Desktop Operating System

Here, you will learn the head-to-head comparisons between the Mobile and Desktop Operating Systems. There are some comparisons between the Mobile and Desktop Operating Systems are as follows: