With the recent launch of Apple’s iPad and the consequent talk about not only forthcoming tablet devices running Google’s Android operating system, but also what a low power-tablet running Windows 7 or Chrome OS might be like, I decided to work out some (unscientific) figures to see which OS would be best to use on your own tablet device.

I have to admit I was expecting Windows 7 to win this, due to its flexibility and the better hardware that it requires.

I didn’t take into account the cost of the OS, working instead on the assumption that it would simply be provided with whatever device you buy, and that all the prices would be pretty-much the same.

I did pick ten categories though to compare the different operating systems on…

Local file storage (small)

For devices with Flash memory only, what the local storage would be like if you didn’t have many files to store on the device.  Here Google Chrome OS stood out as the only OS not to support local storage.

Local file storage (large)

If you want to store music, video or photo collections on a tablet device you’ll probably need a proper hard drive.  Here only Windows 7 scored highest as none of the other devices, so far, come with hard drives.

Install programs

Being able to install programs on a device is essential.  iPhone OS and Android get plaudits here for the ease of use of their App stores in installing software, and Microsoft scores well for the sheer volume of quality titles available.  Again, Chrome OS, which doesn’t allow for software to be installed at all, scored poorly.

Works offline

Despite what Google will tell you, having the ability to use a computing device when you don’t have an internet connection is essential.  Here again Chrome OS scored very badly.

Email / Video / Music Offline

Again, Chrome OS with its lack of support for offline storage scored badly in this category.

 Large Music / Video collection supported

Windows 7 scored best in this category because all devices running it come with good capacity hard drives.  While iPhone OS and Android also support these libraries, there can be an additional charge for the hardware that can make them seem uneconomical compared to Windows powered devices.

Works on very low power devices

This is where Windows 7 scored it’s lowest score.  It’s quite demanding, very in fact, when it comes to the minimum hardware requirements it needs to run.  Compare that to the other operating systems and it looks all too demanding.

Easy to use interface

Every operating system scored well here as these OSes are now almost as simple to use as a family microwave.

Security rating

Here, Windows 7 with it’s propensity to be attacked by hackers and criminals, scored the least of all the operating systems.  However it was saved by the beefed up security in Windows 7.  Android and Chrome OS scored the best here because there have, so far, been no security attacks on either.  They are simply put, much less of a target than Windows and iPhone OS.

Web application / plug-in support

iPhone OS, sadly, scored the least here due mainly to the continued lack of support for Flash.  This plug-in is used so widely on the internet these days that whatever the reasons for the lack of support, it still leaves the OS open to criticism.

The results

In the chart (above) you can read a green square for 1 point, a yellow square for ½ a point and a red square for zero points.

It was very close all round with the exception of Chrome OS that, because it’s so very limited, scored quite poorly.  Windows 7 and iPhone OS came neck and neck in the results.  I was very surprised however to see Google Android sneak ahead and win by a narrow margin.  With a score of 9 out of 10 in this unscientific test, it could be your best OS choice for a tablet.

Related posts:

1. I Wouldn’t Want Windows 7 on a Tablet-style PC
2. Apple shares at a high on Tablet speculation
3. Should Microsoft Fear Google Chrome OS?
4. Re-evaluating the Tablet
5. Why it doesn’t matter what OS you use