Ubuntu or Windows 7

[saf79]

Hi all,

Heard Ubuntu is faster then Windows 7.Anyone using here dual boot Ubuntu and Windows 7.Pls share experience here.

TQVM

 

[mikedl]

Hi, saf79,

I'm not sure about speed but Win 7 is definitely ahead in usability and versatility, especially for the apps I run.

I was running XP and Ubunto 10.04. I went back and forth between the Gnome and KDE Desktops before finally settling on KDE.

Then I partitioned out for a Win 7 install. I no longer use Ubuntu and have allocated the partition to Win 7. I'm just about done de-allocating the XP partition as I'm down to a 54 GB partition with XP currently.

I liked Ubuntu, a lot. But once I installed Win 7 I found myself rarely using it. XP is only still partitioned out as a last resort back up (I skipped over Vista).

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
you might get a better answer on LinuxQuestions.org

While there are people on W7 Forums using Linux I'd imagine the majority are using Windows most of the time.

A 'Nix forum might give you a better overview.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[marsmimar]

Try running Ubuntu from the live CD. It'll give you a chance to evaluate it without having it permanently installed on your machine. If you like it you can use the same CD to install it.

 

[lorddenis]

it deppens for what you are using your PC. there is no clear winner evry has its strong and weak points. you have to decide for your self what you want.

 

[Nigsy]

Hi there
you might get a better answer on LinuxQuestions.org

While there are people on W7 Forums using Linux I'd imagine the majority are using Windows most of the time.

A 'Nix forum might give you a better overview.

Cheers
jimbo

I think the same will apply there ie The majority will use Linux and you won't get a balanced opinion on W7.

I use both and TBH the answer depends on what you want to get out of your computing:

You can get nearly anything you need on an open source platform for free/ But be prepared to do some homework beforhand.

Linux drivers are getting better - but kiss goodbye to Plug and Play.

Gamming....maybe not on Linux but support and work rounds improving.

Linux faster than W7 on boot to using internet yes.
Linux attacked by viruses so the need for resource hungry AV programmes...No
Linux O/S more secure - Most definitley..As stable as W7 no.

W7 is probably the best general user experience, Homegroup, Driver support etc..and for the everyday user who just wants to plug it in and it works..W7 is the best out there. Obviously the proprietary market is geared to the needs of MS and the EULA that ties you down, but you get the support and not have to google a 100 threads to find solutions to issues.

But if you want more controll over your O/S and are prepared to learn how to use terminal..then sudo apt-get install Ubuntu!!

Big strides are being taken in the Linux world to make it more user friendly and with the release of Ubuntu Netbook remix (10 times better than W7 basic) and things like Edubuntu for children/ schools it really is an area to watch.

Why not D/L ubuntu live CD and try it. No need to install it will run off the CD.

 

[madtownidiot]

Most linux applications require less system resources than the windows equivalent, and Ubuntu itself has much lower system requirements.. so yes, Ubuntu is faster than Windows 7, on all common applications. Ubuntu requires a higher level of technical skill, however, and most of the protection built into windows, (mainly to protect the OS from inept users) doesn't exist in Ubuntu.. so it's a lot easier to end up with broken system. If you want to try it, make a bootable USB stick using a live ISO.. A simple, two step method for doing that can be found here.. portable operating system

 

[mickey megabyte]

Try running Ubuntu from the live CD. It'll give you a chance to evaluate it without having it permanently installed on your machine. If you like it you can use the same CD to install it.

this won't help in determining if it's a fast os (which is what the op wants to know), as everything has to run off the disc, which is really slooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow.

much better to stick it on and run it off a usb thumb drive, and make sure your bios lets you boot from it.

plus it's difficult to measure the relative performances of the two os's. what sort of apps do you run?

 

[royal tyrant]

Windows seven In terms of reliability and support, Ubuntu If you want your system to break all the time and If you choose the latter I sure hope you know what your doing.

 

[Nigsy]

Windows seven In terms of reliability and support, Ubuntu If you want your system to break all the time and If you choose the latter I sure hope you know what your doing.

Sorry but that's just rubbish!!

Look at all the threads on here about BSOD and such in W7.
Have you even tried Ubuntu etal...or you tried it, hit the first 'problem' and went back to windows??

Truth is neither is perfect i've blue screened my W7 install and spent ages fixing it, whereas my 64 bit Ubuntu just goes on without any issues whatsoever.

But I agree you have to have a bit more understanding of what you are doing with a Linux install.

Anyway getting off topic... Yes Linux is lighter and in the majority of cases faster.

 

[royal tyrant]

Don't tell me my opinion Is rubbish for Its my opinion and I've used many many flavours of Linux, Overall windows seven wins Hands down.

 

[madtownidiot]

I have a server running linux that has never crashed in the 4 years since I built it

Most linux crashes are due to installing the wrong packages and automatically updating the system. It's not for everyone, but a new version of Ubuntu is released every six months. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the learning curve is very steep. If you had problems with it, it's because you didn't know what you're doing in the first place.

People who aren't willing to do a little research before installing linux (not all hardware is well supported), then crack open a book and learn how to use command lines should stick to Windows (or Macs, which are designed for people who couldn't be trusted to program a TV)

 

[Keiichi25]

Okay, guys... Let's not devolve into a Mac vs PC like argument.

To be honest, there is no 'better' OS or 'faster' way as it will always be in the eye of the beholder.

Linux requires a little more on-hands approach to things, Linux was never designed to be 100% user friendly as far as certain things as it is tuned more for computer science type people who will do mid-level programming and spend time talking with others about possible options.

Windows 7, like most of Microsoft Products, were aimed more for the generic user, just as Apple's Mac OS X.

While it is true that there is not as many attacks on Linux that warrants an Anti-virus, it does not mean that it is completely immune. Linux, all versions, will also have its own security patches and packages that will need to be updated from time to time.

Linux will also have lower resource demand programs because of the fact that it actually uses decent compilers and programming languages that are not of the Visual Studio creation, which is not as tightly coded as some of the coding practices of C++ and the like where you are using compilers.

The drawback with Linux will be the flavors of it will often times cause confusion for people who are not familiar with Linux in general about the packages they can install, a bit more than the current issue with Windows where majority of the packages are going to be of 4 to 6 flavors due to having XP, Vista, 2003, 2008 and Win 7, where there are the x32, x64 and the IA64 mixtures. With Linux, on the other hand, there will be several either binaries or you have to compile it for your own build of Linux and again, not many know how to set that up properly by themselves.

Now, to go back to the original poster. Linux will, in most probability, load up faster, getting you out onto the net. I believe Adobe has put out flash player that is usable on Linux, as well as Firefox, Chrome or Opera for web browsing. The problem you might run into will be Pro-IE built websites, where they will want to have Internet Explorer or how IE handles things for web browsing that will be a detriment, as it has been for Macs on occasion with Safari.

If you are planning on doing any computer gaming, your selection of games will be limited to Linux based games, anything popular will probably be mostly First Person Shooters, although the number of those are reducing in time in favor of MMO based games and not many companies wanting to spend the time multi-base coding for a Linux system short on the server level.

Business wise, it is a toss up, although currently, at least 70% of the current business market is favoring the use of Microsoft Office products. While open office is suppose to open Office Product documents, the expectation of .doc or .xls, or even .docx and .xlsx documents are more likely than the Open Office versions.

I know that Ubuntu does have Windows FS support, so you can access Windows Drives without issue, and if you have a decent system, you can virtualize Windows within Linux to cover what you will desire in both cases.

 

[pparks1]

I use both and TBH the answer depends on what you want to get out of your computing:

Exactly. I don't understand why so many people feel that it universally has to be one or the other.

For example, let's say that I want to build a quick and easy low spec computer for my kids to use to surf the internet and play their online games from nickjr.com. I can go to NewEgg and get my components for about $350 and that will get the job done. But holy moly, Windows 7 Home Premium retail is $178. Wow, that's 50% of the cost of the whole computer. So, perhaps I go with Ubuntu here as it meets my needs perfectly, surfs the web just fine and the kids just click on the things on the screen the same way they do with Windows.

Ubuntu If you want your system to break all the time

All I will say is that I disagree.

 

[madtownidiot]

Exactly. I don't understand why so many people feel that it universally has to be one or the other.

+1 for that.. linux has excellent hardware diagnostic tools, and serves very well for cleaning up windows installations in a way that isn't possible when windows is loaded. And for applications that require heavy disk usage, linux is just faster.

Ubuntu If you want your system to break all the time

All I will say is that I disagree.

I've seen Linux based servers that have been running nonstop for several years without a single crash.

 

[wysiwyg]

Why are we even bothering to debate about Linux, I come on here to read about Windows, 7 in particular, not a two bit freebie,

Play with it you like but please, find a Linux forum, if any exist.

And yes I've tried it, and a bigger load of crap I never saw, I like a system to work with me not against me.

 

[housry23]

I think Ubuntu is great. I use a Ubuntu based OS called Linux Mint 9. I dual boot with Windows 7 and I use my linux partition a lot less often with Windows 7 then I did with XP or Vista. I saw some people recommending running a live cd or Live USB of Ubuntu, but I Don't think you will get the feel of how fast the OS is. There is an easier way. It is called Wubi. It is a Ubuntu installer that installs it on your Windows partition and can be uninstalled just like any other program in Windows. No messy uninstalls where the boatloader is missing and what not. Wubi allocates a certain amount of your hard drive for Ubuntu and installs it inside Windows. You still have the option to boot to Ubuntu or Windows 7 at boot up, but it is installed in Windows. It is almost as fast as it would be on its own partition and much faster than booting it live. You can download the Wubi installer here: Wubi - Ubuntu Installer for Windows

 

[wysiwyg]

People who aren't willing to do a little research before installing linux (not all hardware is well supported), then crack open a book and learn how to use command lines should stick to Windows (or Macs, which are designed for people who couldn't be trusted to program a TV)

Why would people want to spend their time doing research, when what they want is a system to install, that is totally user friendly, with a full range of applications and any game they want to play,

For a person who has XP (archaic) Several Linux versions, and also has both versions of 7 Pro, come on be honest the 7's are head and shoulders above the others.

If you believe otherwise then you're well named.

 

[pparks1]

Why would people want to spend their time doing research, when what they want is a system to install, that is totally user friendly, with a full range of applications and any game they want to play,

Well, if I have 5 computers at home and I have to go out and buy 5 Windows keys to legally install Windows on all 5 computers, that gets really expensive. That's enough reason right there. With a free OS like Linux, I can make these machines surf the net, and do lots of other things without having to spend a dime. I find linux pretty darn easy with my years of experience...so this is no big deal and it works well. Not to mention, you really don't have to worry about viruses, spyware, malware, scripts and the like since they aren't going to run on the Linux box. So, you are pretty safe and secure with no effort on your part. And if some of my hardware is older or hard drive space on older machines is tight, Linux is often smaller and takes about 1-2GB of disk space...which is a lot less than Windows. Those are just a few reasons why I wouldn't obviously use Windows over Linux on any machine that I had.

 

[Lemur]

DSL is 50MB. That's pretty amazing in this day. I have Linux and Windows servers. Both good. I have Linux and Windows desktops. Both good. I even have wireless routers with Linux (that is cool in the geekest sense). I find the best solution for me is running Windows as host and Linux (Ubuntu) as a virtual pc. The Linux server, btw, is SUSE. Blah, but that wasn't my choice. Every tool has its purpose. And - to be uber geek - I love modifying and compiling source code.

Bottom line - if you have Windows and virtual linux, you can have your cake and eat it too!