The history of operating systems is marked by fierce competition and significant technological advancements. Since the early days of personal computing, certain giants have stood out, shaping user experience and the global computing landscape. At the dawn of the 1980s, Microsoft launched MS-DOS, a precursor that paved the way for Windows, quickly becoming the standard on PCs. Meanwhile, Apple introduced its own system with the Mac OS graphical interface. With the emergence of the Internet, operating systems like Linux gained popularity, attracting open-source enthusiasts. Up until 2019, these players have continuously evolved, offering innovations to meet the changing needs of users and maintain their dominant market positions.
The evolution of operating systems: from their origins to their dominance
The trajectory of operating systems has been characterized by a dynamic of continuous development, where software has become the beating heart of computers. From the dawn of computing, Microsoft made its mark with Windows, an operating system whose every new version has pushed the boundaries of what we consider standard today. The user-friendly interface and hardware compatibility have made Windows operating systems the reference for generations of users. Through these advancements, Microsoft has not only developed a product; it has shaped an industry.
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While Microsoft dominated the PC market, Apple cultivated its own garden, creating a universe where hardware and software harmonize in functional elegance. Their operating systems, although less widespread than Microsoft’s, established a standard for user experience, aesthetics, and stability. IBM, for its part, directed its expertise towards professional operating systems, consolidating its position in the enterprise sector with solutions focused on robustness and security.
In June 2019, the data was clear: The 3 most used operating systems reflected the diversity and specialization of the market. Windows, with its prevalence in the personal and professional computer market, maintained its supremacy. Apple, with its macOS, continued its pursuit of excellence, targeting users willing to pay for seamless integration and an intuitive user interface. Linux, although less visible in the consumer market, had established itself as an essential pillar in the realm of servers and high-performance computing due to its flexibility and security.
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The market leaders in operating systems until 2019
In the ranking of major players, Microsoft stands out with a considerable lead in terms of market share thanks to its Windows operating system. The Redmond giant has managed, over the decades, to adapt to the changing needs of users while capitalizing on its position as a pioneer. Its revenue, amounting to billions of dollars, reflects this remarkable success. Apple, for its part, has carved out a significant share, less by quantity than by the quality and integration of its software and hardware, fostering a loyal customer base willing to invest in a closed but highly optimized ecosystem.
Google, for its part, revolutionized the market with its Android operating system, becoming the undisputed leader in the smartphone market. This omnipresence on mobile devices has propelled the company to a pivotal position, holding a market share that rivals that of desktop and laptop computers. The synergy with the cloud market, where Google also excels, paves the way for integration prospects and cross-services, thus strengthening its grip on the tech sector.
The European and French context deserves particular attention, as the issue of abuse of dominant position arises sharply. European institutions, attentive to the movements of these giants, have repeatedly sanctioned practices deemed anti-competitive, particularly in the cloud computing and enterprise cybersecurity sectors. The stakes of digital sovereignty and consumer protection remain at the heart of concerns, in a market where the leaders are also the guardians of the data of billions of individuals.