I just purchased a laptop and was looking at getting something other then windows vista. Ubuntu seemed like a good candiate but I don't know much about linux. I was wondering if playing around with ubuntu is a good idea or just stick with the Windows Vista home premium that comes with it automatically.

Ubuntu 9.xx (Jaunty Jackalope) is a great option. YUou may need to do some tweaking to get some things to work properly (sound card, etc) but overal it is a great OS to work with.

Originally posted by kahzaa

I just purchased a laptop and was looking at getting something other then windows vista. Ubuntu seemed like a good candiate but I don't know much about linux. I was wondering if playing around with ubuntu is a good idea or just stick with the Windows Vista home premium that comes with it automatically.

As a huge linux head..

I really recommend you think deeply on the laptop with linux.

I've made mistakes in the past in which I found that it was easier just dealing with Vista on a laptop than to bother with linux.

Ofcourse I've always been a big fan of the Redhat legacy and that could of been the reason. I just found that driver's didn't function as well or at all with a Laptop, compared to my own personal built rig (which runs Red very well).

My last purchase of a laptop (Toshiba, big fkin mistake) was what lead me down the path of a poor laptop. I used Red and well I had more trouble finding functional drivers than I ever would of on a normal machine. Not to mention the battery options were really screwy.

I'm not suggesting against it, I just want you to be aware you could cause some serious conflicts.

Did you get a free/reduced price Windows 7 upgrade deal with your Vista laptop purchase? If so, consider your plans towards taking advantage of that and whether or not you'll want to be able to migrate your files and settings.

Besides that, its hard to suggest. Price considerations are out the window since you've already paid for your Vista copy included with your laptop.

I suppose it's all software considerations. If you're planning to do any gaming, then of course stick to Vista.

Basically don't switch to a Linux distro unless you have a very specific reason of why you would want to.

Originally posted by sepher

Basically don't switch to a Linux distro unless you have a very specific reason of why you would want to.

Well, a great option would be to dual boot. I've never set one with Vista before, but use the linux installer to partition the hard drive and use the grub loader. Don't try to fight with Windows to set up the dual boot with Windows in control.

Thanks alot guys.

I think im going to do the Duel Boot, im going to play around with it and if I dont like it I can just remove it. and if I love it then thats great and it'll stay.

Originally posted by kahzaa

Thanks alot guys.

I think im going to do the Duel Boot, im going to play around with it and if I dont like it I can just remove it. and if I love it then thats great and it'll stay.

Just to add, you can burn the ISO of Ubuntu to a disc and play around in it without actually installing (be sure to set boot order to CD/DVD as first choice).

Ubuntu is also about a million times better for programming. Linux has evolved so much, you can get tonnes of software for it, but it does take a bit of getting used to first.

If you're thinking about Linux then this would be my suggestion.  For now leave your laptop as is.  Vista is a solid OS, and you don't want to go ripping up what you've got when you're new to Linux.

1) download Sun's Virtualbox.  It's completely free emulation software where you can install a number of different Linux Distros so you can get a good feel for what you like and what you are comfortable with.  You won't run into all of the problems you might into on a full install on your laptop, but it's real world enough to get a good basic understanding.

2) once you find what you like, then repartition your hard drive so you have access to windows for things like games or if you have difficulties with your linux install.  A dual boot is a great way to go, especially for someone new to linux.

Here here.

I always liked slackware.

If the government wanted to save some money they should install Linux on all school and other government agencies computers. At the very least they should use OpenOffice, which is free rather than using Microsoft Office.

Originally posted by bojinx

If the government wanted to save some money they should install Linux on all school and other government agencies computers. At the very least they should use OpenOffice, which is free rather than using Microsoft Office.

real businesses and government agencies would likely never switch because open office is missing so much.  I won't even start on the clear lack of quality.  Also, linux on a corporate level is not cheaper because you pay for support while you get volume licensing from microsoft which saves cost in the long run