What is the difference between UNIX and MAC OS X?

Q. My question is pretty simple – What is the difference between UNIX and MAC OS X?

A Mac OS X is an operating system with a graphical user interface, developed by Apple computer for Macintosh computers, based on UNIX.

Darwin is a free and open source, Unix-like operating system first released by Apple Inc. in 2000. It is a standalone operating system as well as the core set of components upon which Mac OS X was developed. It is primarily developed by Apple to support Mac OS X.

There are few differences:
a) File system – Mac OS X prefer to use HFS+ file system with slightly modified directory location.

b) X11 vs Aqua – Most UNIX system use X11 for graphics. Mac OS X uses Aqua for grpahics.

Further readings:

• Official Apple UNIX information page
• Top Ten Mac OS X Tips for Unix Geeks

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