220-1102 Question 1
Select 21.1 Explain common operating system (OS) types and their purposes.A small architecture firm is replacing several aging workstations. One group of employees uses a line-of-business accounting application that only runs on Windows. Another group of designers uses Apple Final Cut Pro for video editing. Management wants each team to use the operating system that best supports its required applications with the least amount of additional configuration or compatibility work. Which TWO operating systems should the technician recommend?
- A
Windows 11 Pro for the accounting team
- B
macOS for the design team
- C
Chrome OS for both teams because it is lightweight and secure
- D
Linux for the accounting team because it can run all Windows applications natively
- E
Android for the design team because it is optimized for media creation
Show answer and explanation
Correct answers: A, B
Explanation
This question tests practical OS selection based on application requirements, which is a core skill for A+ Core 2 objective 1.1. In real deployments, technicians should match the operating system to the business purpose and supported software rather than choosing based only on popularity, cost, or general security reputation. Windows is the standard choice when an application is specifically supported only on Windows. macOS is required for Apple-exclusive professional applications such as Final Cut Pro. Chrome OS is best suited to web-based and cloud-first environments, Android is a mobile OS, and Linux is often excellent for servers, development, and some desktop use cases but is not a native replacement for Windows-only applications. This aligns with vendor support best practices: use the OS officially supported by the application developer to minimize compatibility, deployment, and troubleshooting issues.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Windows 11 Pro is an appropriate recommendation for the accounting team because the required line-of-business application runs only on Windows. In business environments, choosing the OS that natively supports the required software is the most practical approach and reduces compatibility issues, retraining, and support overhead.
- B. Correct.
Correct. macOS is the correct choice for the design team because Final Cut Pro is Apple's professional video editing software and is designed specifically for macOS. Selecting macOS ensures full application support, vendor-backed compatibility, and a standard deployment for creative professionals.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Chrome OS is useful for web-centric workflows, kiosks, and lightweight endpoint use, but it is not an appropriate fit here. The scenario requires a Windows-only accounting application and Final Cut Pro, neither of which is a native Chrome OS solution. A candidate might choose this option because Chrome OS is secure and easy to manage, but it does not meet the software requirements.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Linux is a common distractor because it is powerful and widely used in servers, development, and some desktop environments. However, Linux does not run all Windows applications natively. Some Windows applications may run through compatibility layers such as Wine or in virtualized environments, but that adds complexity and does not satisfy the requirement for least compatibility work.
- E. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Android is a mobile operating system intended primarily for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. While media apps exist on Android, it is not the standard desktop platform for Final Cut Pro, which does not run on Android. Someone might select this option by associating mobile platforms with creative apps, but it does not fit the business requirement.