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Time and time again I see people make this point about a "real desktop operating system" like that actually means anything. What is more "real" about Windows 10

Time and time again I see people make this point about a "real desktop operating system" like that actually means anything. What is more "real" about Windows 10 or OSX than iOS or Android? The former OSes expose more of the lower level internals such as access to the filesystem, but I'd take some convincing that not having that access would be a barrier to a video producer or a graphic artist or pretty much anyone other than a hardcore superuser or developer. Right now, we have two highly contrasting approaches. Microsoft is championing one OS that attempts to do very different things on different hardware, alongside hardware that attempts to be relevant in many different contexts. And Apple is choosing to persist with two forks (I believe there is an amount of common code), each trying to do a smaller job, better. Plus hardware that is optimised for specific scenarios. I think the jury's still out on who's going to win this one; as a unix fan, though, I tend to favour the 'do less, better' approach.

imaginenore 11y ago
That's what desktop OS means to me (not a complete list): Mouse support File system access with permissions / access control Boot control Background non gui processes Custom Drivers Ability to change OS behavior given enough permissions Multiple display support Default tab-order behavior for the input boxes, and tons of other input box behaviors Apps that can be resized and can set their own size. Ability to mount drives, including remote SSH.
- oneeyedpigeon 11y ago
  I can't really disagree with your list, but I feel most of it demonstrates power user features rather than typical needs of a professional. I repeat my earlier point: I don't see much there that, for example, a graphic artist would demand. Very few people in the wider populace use multiple displays. Most people wouldn't know what boot control, background processes, or even filesystems are. Tab-order is screwed even on a 'real' OS like OSX. My main gripe is this belief that the iPad is somehow less capable because it doesn't run a 'real' OS when, in fact, it is usable precisely because it runs an OS tailored towards its purpose as a device for consumption, primarily, but also for specialised professional niches that don't involve tinkering under the bonnet for the sake of it — not that there's anything wrong with that, of course.

imaginenore 11y ago

That's what desktop OS means to me (not a complete list): Mouse support File system access with permissions / access control Boot control Background non gui processes Custom Drivers Ability to change OS behavior given enough permissions Multiple display support Default tab-order behavior for the input boxes, and tons of other input box behaviors Apps that can be resized and can set their own size. Ability to mount drives, including remote SSH.

oneeyedpigeon 11y ago
I can't really disagree with your list, but I feel most of it demonstrates power user features rather than typical needs of a professional. I repeat my earlier point: I don't see much there that, for example, a graphic artist would demand. Very few people in the wider populace use multiple displays. Most people wouldn't know what boot control, background processes, or even filesystems are. Tab-order is screwed even on a 'real' OS like OSX. My main gripe is this belief that the iPad is somehow less capable because it doesn't run a 'real' OS when, in fact, it is usable precisely because it runs an OS tailored towards its purpose as a device for consumption, primarily, but also for specialised professional niches that don't involve tinkering under the bonnet for the sake of it — not that there's anything wrong with that, of course.