alternative operating system? (ubuntu)

Notmyrealname

mttylad wrote: »

Unless there is some specific Windows only software that the OP needs then using Linux is faster.

Rubbish. Yours a Windows user since 1992, Linux user since 2001 and Mac OS X user since 2006.

henm2

I would highly recommend the new Linux Mint 13 (Maya) cinnamon edition. Easy to use, looks good and performs very well. See review link
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/linux-mint-maya.html

If you still need Windows for some programs then Linux Mint can easily be set up as a dual boot alongside Windows so you have a choice which to boot when switching on.

victor2

As already suggested, you could re-install Windows 7, for which you have the licence, but consider partitioning your new drive to leave space to experiment with Linux. I played around with various flavours of Linux, including mint, on my desktop and found that Ubuntu was the only one with drivers "out of the box" for my Dell supplied wireless adapter, which was an optional N class adapter when they were still fairly new and not the standard offering.

prowla

If you want to experiment with Linux when you've got a Windows PC then put VMware player on the PC and install Linux into a VM; it'll then run self-contained in its own window.

I run multiple VMs on a daily basis, and usually have at least a Ubuntu one and a Windows 7 one running on my Windows 7 host PC.

henm2

Wireless compatibility can sometimes be a problem with Linux and I appreciate the odd occasion where Ubuntu is better at this than Mint but Mint also supplies many third party codecs and web plugins out of the box. With Ubuntu, these have to be installed manually. So usually a new Mint user can get to work almost immediately in an environment that's familiar. It just works.
I use both Windows (Windows 7) and Linux Mint operating systems but usually work with Mint as it means hassle free computing with no worries about security threats from viruses trojans etc.

kabayiri

I recently was given an Inspiron 1545, just like OP has.

I put the latest Ubuntu on it. The install was fine, I think I had to use a wired internet connection for the wifi driver install though.

It was nice to see all the soft touch media buttons etc working.

Using Ubuntu or Win7 comes down to preference now really.

tombruton87

id say out of the box working ubuntu has a better chance than windows but you should be able to get both working not a problem

Proc

Nobody has actually asked "what are you going to use it for?"

My partner has an old laptop with Vista. She doesn't want a new laptop because it's "pretty". However, HDD was full with crap, constant Windows errors etc (she's installed so many add-ons etc over the years). I couldn't find Windows Vista CD and couldn't be arsed to download and reinstall.

Have installed Ubuntu. Was extremely easy. It's a much small footprint than Vista so she has plenty of space left on the HDD. For internet browsing and media (which is all she uses it for) it's excellent. We've got Chrome installed easily, Dropbox and I think Skype is next.

It runs a lot faster than Vista did. It also has some basic Word Processing apps included that are perfect for her needs.

So for basic functionality it's great. However, if she wanted to install other software such as games etc she's going to struggle.

So, if you want to try something a little bit different, and want to free up some HDD and have your system run a little faster (it does run considerably faster than Vista did) then there's no harm in giving Ubuntu a try. The full install is quite a fast process and extremely easy.

Notmyrealname

Proc wrote: »

Have installed Ubuntu. Was extremely easy. It's a much small footprint than Vista so she has plenty of space left on the HDD.

Wait until there's a Kernel update in the next batch of updates on Ubuntu and she's knocking on your door because the wifi no longer works.

TakeThis

Proc wrote: »

Nobody has actually asked "what are you going to use it for?"

My partner has an old laptop with Vista. She doesn't want a new laptop because it's "pretty". However, HDD was full with crap, constant Windows errors etc (she's installed so many add-ons etc over the years). I couldn't find Windows Vista CD and couldn't be arsed to download and reinstall.

Have installed Ubuntu. Was extremely easy. It's a much small footprint than Vista so she has plenty of space left on the HDD. For internet browsing and media (which is all she uses it for) it's excellent. We've got Chrome installed easily, Dropbox and I think Skype is next.

It runs a lot faster than Vista did. It also has some basic Word Processing apps included that are perfect for her needs.

So for basic functionality it's great. However, if she wanted to install other software such as games etc she's going to struggle.

So, if you want to try something a little bit different, and want to free up some HDD and have your system run a little faster (it does run considerably faster than Vista did) then there's no harm in giving Ubuntu a try. The full install is quite a fast process and extremely easy.

But we aren't talking about Vista......