Final answer:
The top three operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, with Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X known for their wide consumer use, and Linux for its open-source flexibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The top three operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Microsoft Windows was developed by the software business Microsoft, which provided the DOS and Windows operating systems that became ubiquitous in personal computing. The Macintosh computer, introduced by Apple in 1984, ran on its proprietary operating system Mac OS X, which gained popularity due to its user-friendly graphical interface. Then there is Linux, the open-source operating system kernel written in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, which has become well-known among those seeking a free and configurable OS. Linux has seen widespread use in everything from personal computers to the world's top supercomputers.