Though, Microsoft and Apple are quite disparate, in that Apple ensure that the hardware works with their OS, including certifying drivers, etc.

Microsoft only produce the operating systems & core software components, i.e. all software. This then gets deployed on a gamut of systems and configurations involving millions of combinations of components, etc.

To keep track of all the program and driver updates would involve some pretty heavy-duty logistics.

Apple cope because they have a tighter reign on what hardware and, to a certain extent, what software is allowed to be put in and on their systems. Tracking updates is essentially straight-forward because the vendors no doubt submit any updates to them first.

I am largely speculating and deducing from what I know about Apple. But even still, Microsoft do not have the same incentives to ensure a smoother running system then Apple do, though most people would instantly blame Windows for any incompatibilities of course. Where as with a Mac, Macccers would no doubt point the finger at the nearest program or pisece of hardware to the problem.

Just my £10.25 worth.