Windows or Linux?

Hey everyone

I find myself stuck between two worlds; the free world of Linux and the everything-just-works world of Windows. Now, before any Linux fanboys (no offense, keep reading) tell me to use Linux, hear my story.

For the last three years, I've been using Linux, and everything was fine. Windows XP was a security hazard, and Vista was huge and slow. But now things have changed; I've started college, the latest Ubuntu was released and so was Windows 7.

Thing is, I'm studying to be an IT-technician. I've always been obsessed with computers and I've felt I had to set the example by not using any illicit software. But I've tested (unfortunately an illegal copy of) Windows 7 and it was perhaps the best OS ever released. Add to this that Linux suddenly gave up on me; games which used to work fine suddenly became broken. Even more, I desperately need Visual Studio and Microsoft Office for school.

'So use Windows', you say. Well, there's two things I really don't like about Windows 7 (or Windows in general): the fact that its updates take a long time to install, and the fact that it costs a lot of money. While I can afford the 200 euros, I don't really like that Microsoft is planning to bring out a new version every 3 years, meaning the support for the previous version ends in about 6 years. I know this is really really long-term thinking, but I don't want to have to buy another Windows in 3 years. And an illicit copy is not an option.

Any opinions?

Linux and the everything-just-works

Are you serious try getting a usb wireless adaptor to work with Linux, if you do have hair I swear you wont for much longer attempting this task.

Tews said:

It sounds like a dual boot configuration may be your best solution ... You get the best of both worlds! Ive been dual booting for several years, and I find it fills all of my needs perfectly... Ive never even tried playing games in Linux (Wine or Crossover just doesnt get it for me) and when I need a fix, I just boot up Windows... Windows 7 is probably the best OS that MS has come out with to date, so I dont worry about needing to update it when ever a new version is released...

I'm not really a big fan of dual-booting, since it's a hassle with the partitioning. You need to have all your data in one place, but what filesystem since FAT doesn't support large files, NTFS support isn't perfect with Linux, and vice versa with ext4.

You mean Windows Updates from the control panel, I haven't seen such a problem here...

What I meant was that, after installing updates, booting takes quite a bit longer, which is not the case with Linux.

Who in the world said you hand to buy the latest and greatest? It is simple, if you do not want to spend money on the next version, then don't.

Well, as a future technician, I figured I had to be using all the latest technologies so I can help people with their problems. Probably a misconception on my part, since I hear people still use Windows 98... (good old times )

After about 3 or 4 years "things" become obsolete, including OSs, don't look so far into the future; sounds like you need Windows 7 for school and you don't really have a choice.

Probably, though I don't agree with things becoming obsolete after a couple of years, since I'm still really happy with my 3-year-old laptop. Then again, certain components are starting to come apart

Are you serious try getting a usb wireless adaptor to work with Linux, if you do have hair I swear you wont for much longer attempting this task.

the everything-just-works was referring to windows

I would like to advise you that as a student you are able to get a huge discount on Windows 7 Professional. I don't really know what the discount is where you live, but in the US it is very substantial. You can get a copy of the Windows 7 Professional for 69.98 instead of 300(retail) or 200(upgrade). I am not sure if the offer is available in Europe, but it doesn't hurt to try. I would also like to suggest Wubi. Someone else mentioned it and it is very convenient. No partitioning and messed up Windows installation if you decide to uninstall. It installs Ubuntu to your hard drive just like a regular Windows application. When you don't want it anymore, just uninstall and your done. Linux Mint 9 also has a Mint4Win on the .iso. It is just like Wubi except it is for Mint 9, which in my opinion blows Ubuntu away. It is based on Ubuntu, but just works better. Good luck.

I would like to advise you that as a student you are able to get a huge discount on Windows 7 Professional. I don't really know what the discount is where you live, but in the US it is very substantial. You can get a copy of the Windows 7 Professional for 69.98 instead of 300(retail) or 200(upgrade). I am not sure if the offer is available in Europe, but it doesn't hurt to try. I would also like to suggest Wubi. Someone else mentioned it and it is very convenient. No partitioning and messed up Windows installation if you decide to uninstall. It installs Ubuntu to your hard drive just like a regular Windows application. When you don't want it anymore, just uninstall and your done. Linux Mint 9 also has a Mint4Win on the .iso. It is just like Wubi except it is for Mint 9, which in my opinion blows Ubuntu away. It is based on Ubuntu, but just works better. Good luck.

Yes! I did a little looking around and it seems I can get Windows 7 Professional For Free!
Thank you for pointing me in this direction. Though it's only valid until I graduate, by then I'll be buying a new laptop with a legitimate copy anyway.