Linux Ubuntu

[Phantom2595]

So, I've been looking at laptops for a while now, and have come across Dell's Ubunutu line of PC's(http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/ubuntu?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn)

So I was wondering if anyone here has had experience with Linux Ubuntu. What are the pros and cons of Ubuntu vs Vista. Linux is open-source, so that's a bug plus, and since I don't expect to do much gaming on my laptop, the whole Windows has games thing doesn't matter.Really, I wan't something that can browse the web, do e-mail, maybe play some flash games,and that I would be able to do schoolwork on.

So apart from gaming, is there anything that I won't be able to do on Ubuntu that I could do on Wndows? Any insight into this matter would be appreciated.

P.S. Does itunes work with Linux, or will I have to stick with my desktop with my ipod?

 

[orifice]

I have linux xubuntu on my server. I can't really tell you if itunes will work because I don't use it! I can say that it browses the net just fine, although I rarely do that on the server. Mostly, it handles my downloads and internet security/hardware firewall and it does it very well!

 

[Phantom2595]

Thanks for the feedback guys, now I have another question.

How good does my processor have to be to be able to play HD videos on the internet.(i.e how Game Trailers has videos in SD and HD)Would I need a graphics card to watch these videos, or can I get away with an integrated video card?

EDIT:Also, how is security and stability for Linux?

 

[Zac_Dai]

I've used Ubuntu in the past and my brothers old computer currently runs it. It fits his needs because all he does is use it for web browsing and media playing.

For school work you won't be able to use Microsoft Office but it does come with OpenOffice which will read and create Microsoft Office compatible files 99% of the time.

You're Ipod will still work but if you've bought music on itunes it may be difficult to transfer them to another play as I have no idea how restrictive the DRM is.

 

[disturbed_one]

Since I've used Ubuntu on my PC when I was in a no-gaming phase, I can tell you that I really enjoyed it. The first week or two, you'll be trying out the features that are new to you, and the only problem for you will be if you've used to using photoshop. I couldn't run it on wine on my particular configuration, so after a while I had dual boot on, adn when my comp got fried I had to go vista

 

[fedpayne]

Once you understand sudo apt-get install you should be fine. If you use a webcam not all are compatible, there is a list somewhere of webcams that work straight out of the box with it, so you should be ok. You might need to use the various online guides to help. It's generally nice and intuitive and attractive, and who cares about a lack of iTunes, Rhythm-box works just fine, you can even transfer music off your iPod onto the PC without any headaches.

 

[Phantom2595]

Wow Linux is sounding great, and nobody is screaming that I should get windows instead.

It looks like I'll be going with Linux then. If anyone else wants to add some feedback go for it.

One more thing, is there anything else I should know about Ubuntu before I go and buy the laptop?

 

[Yog Sothoth]

i am a recent Ubuntu convert as well, and i'm loving it... far more stable and secure than windows, and if you need to run any windows apps, there's always WINE, which works really well...

 

[megapenguinx]

You should note that Ubuntu does not support mp3's.
this should help: https://help.ubuntu.com/8.10/windows/C/index.html

 

[NDWolfwood5268]

Oi, make sure to go to winehq.org, it will provide you a translation layer, I guess it's called, that will let you run select windows apps in Ubuntu. That's the downside, many developers shun Linux so the open source community works around it. But, hey, I use it on my laptop. Just takes some getting used to.

Vista v Linux, always go for Linux, Vista is a step towards ripping off Linux and Mac and anything else that it thought was good, and Linux allows for the user base to help correct issues.

 

[NDWolfwood5268]

You should note that Ubuntu does not support mp3's.
this should help: https://help.ubuntu.com/8.10/windows/C/index.html

Before I leave, I was playing mp3's just the other night. Needed a codex, but it figured that out on it's own. Cheers.

 

[stiver]

This is an awesome thread, as I just decided to switch to Ubuntu Linux from a windows XP install that doesn't feel like working. I think the best part about Linux is you don't have to pay for any software when you can just get all open source options.

If Linux had the capacity to play really play games I would say there is no reason for microsoft to even still exist, and windows be a viable OS. And I say that after making a firm commitment that I love windows Vista, and will love it for a long time, free software is simply a nicer alternative to older computers.

 

[Phantom2595]

Anyone know a good place to buy a laptop that comes with Ubuntu pre-installed? I've heard bad things about dell...

EDIT: Great to hear about your experiences with Ubuntu, I'm hearing lots of good stuff about Ubuntu .

P.S. I Wonder what Eggo thinks about Linux, since he's all knowing about computers.

 

[superbleeder12]

Anyone know a good place to buy a laptop that comes with Ubuntu pre-installed? I've heard bad things about dell...

I think Dell is the only manufacturer that has a deal with cannonical to put it on their machines

Ubuntu on Dell machines is pretty good, you won't have to bother with unsupported drivers like I do.

For normal every day tasks, Ubuntu is absolutely great. Web Surfing, E-Mail, Music, Movies (everything except gaming) work great and fast.

Also, if you're curious, you can learn a lot about how a linux based system works just by reading manual pages.

 

[Phantom2595]

Anyone know a good place to buy a laptop that comes with Ubuntu pre-installed? I've heard bad things about dell...

I think Dell is the only manufacturer that has a deal with cannonical to put it on their machines

Ubuntu on Dell machines is pretty good, you won't have to bother with unsupported drivers like I do.

For normal every day tasks, Ubuntu is absolutely great. Web Surfing, E-Mail, Music, Movies (everything except gaming) work great and fast.

Also, if you're curious, you can learn a lot about how a linux based system works just by reading manual pages.

System 76 also sells Ubuntu laptops.

http://www.system76.com/ (Behold the power of Google)
I'll have to do some more research before I buy a laptop...

 

[Yog Sothoth]

obtaining and installing Ubuntu for yourself is also relatively painless, if it would make any difference in the price tag...

i managed to handle the task knowing almost nothing about it or Linux in general...

 

[Phantom2595]

obtaining and installing Ubuntu for yourself is also relatively painless, if it would make any difference in the price tag...

i managed to handle the task knowing almost nothing about it or Linux in general...

Well, if i were to buy a different Os I would have to pay for it, might as well just get Linux pre-installed. right now I'm setting up Ubuntu with wupi to try it out.

P.S I'm doing the download now for wupi(the one you get after you install the .exe)and it's going really slow for some reason, how can IO make it go faster. I know my internet is faster than 8KiB/s.