Why the Debate 'Which Platform and Which OS for Your Devices?

It all started when an office colleague approached me asking whether to go for an Apple MacBook Air or not. While a lot of people aspire to buy Macbooks (as well as the other “i” products), this query had a twist that got us thinking at PCQuest. The query wasn't just about whether to buy a Macbook or not, but whether it would work better with some of the other “i” devices that the person already owned and with the ones he might buy in the future. The comparison was of course against other traditional, Windows based laptops. Since the person had never used a MacOS, the decision was even more difficult. Eventually, he ended up biting the bullet and bought a Macbook Air, and is happy with his decision so far.

This small incident sparked off a lot of other thoughts, which led to the making of this story. Most people today, buy their mobile devices for the looks, features, and the 'coolness' factor associated with them. They even buy them to enhance their productivity, but all these purchases are done in isolation. They're done without thinking about whether the device would really work well with the other devices that the person already owns or might buy in the future. It's typically after the purchase happens that the person realizes that the devices aren't working well together. We can't blame people for this because everyone has their own individual taste for devices. Moreover, the only two things that people usually own are a laptop and a smartphone, both of which have worked together without a hitch for years.

But now the equation has changed completely. Today, there are smartphones and tablets and millions of apps for people to choose from. There are different eco-systems by different vendors, each proclaiming to be the best. So should you choose the Apple eco-system? With iOS on the iPhone and iPad and MacOS on the laptop and desktop? Or should you wait for the upcoming Windows 8 eco-system by Microsoft, which will be available across all screens. Or, should you go the Android way on the smartphone and tablet, with either Windows or Linux on the desktop and laptop? BlackBerry is another contender, which has been facing a lot of rough weather internationally, but has seen pretty strong growth in India. What should you finally choose? Maybe you could go for a mix and match.

The answer to this varies depending upon whether you're a consumer, enterprise, or a developer. To find out the answers, we put together a panel of technology experts who've been well versed with all the eco-systems. They debated and fought with each other for several hours before giving us the answers.

The pages to follow have been generated by combining inputs from this debate and extensive research by the PCQuest team. We hope you enjoy reading it. You can also view short videos where these experts summarize their views on the subject on our Facebook page at facebook.com/pcquest. Do give your views on which eco-system approach suits your requirements.