Philip W. Schiller, the Senior Vice President of worldwide marketing at Apple Inc speaks on stage during an Apple event in San Francisco, California October 22, 2013.

Apple and Microsoft have always been fierce competitors all over the world. Now that OS X 10.9 Maverick and Windows 8.1 Professional are launched almost simultaneously, you may be wondering how these two fare against each other. International Data Group (IDG) gives you a comparative analysis.

Ease-of-use

Windows 8.1gets 7/10 whereas OS X Mavericks gets much higher, 9/10. The basic metaphors of the Apple user interface remains the same even after almost 30 years since it started. It is the consistency of the company that helps it score more against Windows that continues to challenge its users with new changes which they have failed to adapt well in recent past. Apple offers sophisticated capabilities which can be discovered by users whenever required. Even though there is a minor adjustment, Mavericks UI remains extremely easy to use.

Features

Windows 8.1gets 7/10, whereas OS X Mavericks again beats its rival with 9/10. Windows 8.1 does not offer anything significant to match OS X in terms of features. The reason may lie in the fact that Microsoft wants its users to buy several tools which are pretty expensive. On the contrary, OS X can be described as much greater than just an operating system. The features include note-taker, calendar manager, email client, image editor, instant messenger and media player. However, when Microsoft does offer a free product, it turns out to be quite inferior to its Apple counterpart.

Manageability

Here Windows takes the upper hand as it scores pretty high with 9/10, whereas Apple stays low at 7/10. There are enough ways to manage Windows 8.1 if you do not mind spending money. Managing features like policy enforcement, remote installation, software updating and application monitoring - everything is widely available through System Center. OS X, on the other hand, offers pretty lower degree of control in comparison to Windown admins. The number of tools are also pretty less than the other.

Compatibility

Windows 8.1 gets a perfect 10 in terms of compatibility even though OS X does not lag much behind with a healthy 8/10. Windows 8.1 is compatible with nearly all the hardware, software as well services. On the contrary, OS X runs only Mac software which makes it limited in the first place.