Considering a new OS

[ClutchDisc]

I have a 9 month old Gateway NE series laptop. It's running windows 8. There are some things I like about windows 8, but I'm coming to a point of just being sick and tired of Microsoft. All the little problems... Anyway, as the title says, I'm considering a new OS. I've never put a new OS on a computer before. I've heard a lot of good things about Ubuntu, and have also heard that Lindows is good. What are some other good Operating Systems out there? How different is Ubuntu for someone who has only used windows? Pros and cons of Ubuntu or other operating systems? Anyone who's actually using one and want to tell how you like it?

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[OVERKILL]

Fedora is also an excellent choice.

 

[Ramblejam]

Do you do anything particular with your laptop (special programs, etc)?

 

[ClutchDisc]

I use my laptop for school and browsing the internet. And I use it for music, pictures etc. That's about it.

 

[Rand]

id recommend starting with mint installed to a usb flash drive.

to see if you like it.

also make sure you make your rescue disc(s) etc

so you can restore w8 later if you want to.

 

[The_Jeff]

Windows 7, if the driver support is there.

 

[DemoFly]

I can tell you that Linux will not be easier than windows, and you are likely to encounter more small problems than windows.

It's just the nature of it.

I'd stay away from Fedora as a first time user because the package manager is more difficult to use than Ubuntu's. Apt-get has more continuity amongst commands.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Sure, give Ubuntu or Linux Mint a try but don't do it thinking it'll solve any problem you're having with Windows 8. At the very least install the 8.1 update first if you haven't already.

And Lindows hasn't been around for the better part of a decade. FYI. :lol:

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I'm not sure Ubuntu is a good idea any more. They seem to have gone a bit too far with "unity" interface.

I have tried to use it and it's just not intuitive. They tried to copy OSX interface. Instead, they made something that is extremely hard to use and very bloated / hard on the system.

 

[ClutchDisc]

eljefino - I don't think I'd bother trying windows 7, it's not windows 8 that I don't like. If I switch it will be something other than microsoft.

Bottom_Feeder - No I haven't installed 8.1....I thought I heard that 8.1 came with problems that 8 didn't have. So I never installed it. Am I wrong? What benefits does 8.1 bring?

Rand - Thanks for the reminder to make the windows 8 discs!

So, looks like if I decide to make the switch, my best bet would be Ubuntu? Any Ubuntu users on here want to tell me more about it?

Thanks guys for all the replies....I'm considering all advice given. Keep it coming.

 

[Hokiefyd]

As a recent installer of Linux-based OSes on two of my computers, I have to agree with DemoFly. They're very stable, they're very fun to play with, and of course they're very free, but they're not very easy...at least not all the time. I tried Ubuntu, Lubuntu, Kubuntu, and Mint on two machines I have, and you can see my adventures with it here:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/i-tried-ubuntu.208128/

And also here:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/pcie-x1-video-card-suggestions.208344/

Linux has been fun to try, but I enjoy playing with computers and messing around with stuff. If you're not that kind of person, I suspect you will get frustrated with Linux quickly.

I also have a Windows 8.1 machine, and I really enjoy 8.1. I bought it as a new computer and even with the factory-installed stuff, it runs like a gem. I have Office 2013 running on it and Avast 2014 and it's pretty painless. In fact, it's really hands-off. My wife uses it, my kids use it, I use it...sometimes it gets turned off at night, and sometimes it doesn't. It just runs well.

The two computers on which I tried Linux... I messed with the display drivers on the desktop for as much time as I had, but then quickly not disinterested in enough to not invest a whole lot of time in it. It also boots XP and I've been using that. My laptop runs Linux better than the older desktop does (both are using Mint MATE) but hardware video acceleration is disabled on both and I'm unsure why. The laptop also boots Windows 7, and I usually just use that. I use Microsoft SkyDrive and Google Drive often enough that I like to have those files sync'd to my local machine and there are no Linux tools for that, at least not that I've discovered yet.

The hardware acceleration is important to me because I watch a lot of streaming video, either YouTube or Netflix or Amazon Prime. It's difficult-to-not-possible when booted into Linux because of the driver issues. I'm sure it could be made right, but like I said, I became disinterested enough to where I gave up on it. That's not a knock on the capabilities of Linux, but is a knock on the broad usability of it, even for a "moderately advanced" user. For a novice, it'd be REAL frustrating.

 

[Hokiefyd]

By the way, I have to agree with comments on the Unity interface of Ubuntu. It's very stable, and seems very solid. And it's pretty. But I found it to be very rigid in terms of customizing the look of the interface.

 

[SrDriver]

As both a Windows 8.1 and a long time Linux user I recommend you do the upgrade from Windows 8 to 8.1.

Download Linux Mint 64 bit version and burn it to a DVD. Will not fit on a CD.

You can play with it by booting off of the DVD and once you want to install Linux Mint just click the install Icon.

Do the defaults and for the hard drive portion for Linux use EXT4 as the format. It will setup the computer so when you turn it on you will have a choice to run Linux or Windows.

The big + with Linux Mint that it has all the plug-ins, etc.

Below is a link for some info - download instructions.

Link To Info & Download Instructions

 

[uc50ic4more]

Mint or Ubuntu. Safe, secure, easy to install, easy to use; and they exists solely for *your* benefit, not the profit of those who see you as a cash cow. Linux-based OS's also allow you to switch between different OS's without a care in the world about whether your data will still be useable.

Stick with Ubuntu or Mint's LTS ("Long Term Support") releases and you've got support for many years.

For casual users I must suggest Mint as it is more akin to a traditional user interface. Ubuntu is going to be seen soon on phones and TV's and tablets and your toaster so it might make sense to choose Ubuntu if have one convergent UI ("user interface") is important to you. Someone pointed out, though, that that interface ("Unity") is pretty, but potentially confusing, slow and resource-intensive.

If you are interested in Mint's LTS release (version 13, code-named "Maya") here it is:

http://www.linuxmint.com/release.php?id=18

I would recommend grabbing the MATE 32 bit version.

Ubuntu's 12.04 can get got here:

http://releases.ubuntu.com/precise/

I recommend getting "PC (Intel x86) desktop CD".

 

[ClutchDisc]

Okay so I should try upgrading to 8.1. Has anyone had any problems with 8.1? I just don't want to upgrade to 8.1 and not like it as much as 8 and wish I didn't upgrade.

Hokiefyd - I do enjoy playing around with computers. I'm going into IT so I guess it's a good thing to like.

I just don't want to try something out and want to go back, well then at that point I'm starting all over again from the ground up for nothing.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
Anyone who's actually using one and want to tell how you like it?


I've tried them all and prefer elementary on my old (2006) laptop that I browse BITOG on. Installed Chrome, AdBlock, and VLC, along with wingpanel slim to maximize screen-space on the 15", 720p display. It's very fast on this relic (dual-core processor, discrete graphics/hardware accleration), stable, and does everything I need.

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Fedora is also an excellent choice.


It is, but installing proprietary software like .mp3 and other codecs, video card drivers from NVIDIA and AMD, Java, etc. can be nerdly. Also, there is no such thing as extended support: Releases some every 6 months or so and are supported only for 9 months if I recall correctly.

I actually love Fedora but I administer about a dozen systems for friends, family and neighbours; and I cannot imagine having to upgrade or do fresh installs for everyone every 6 months!

 

[SrDriver]

Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
Okay so I should try upgrading to 8.1. Has anyone had any problems with 8.1? I just don't want to upgrade to 8.1 and not like it as much as 8 and wish I didn't upgrade.

Hokiefyd - I do enjoy playing around with computers. I'm going into IT so I guess it's a good thing to like.

I just don't want to try something out and want to go back, well then at that point I'm starting all over again from the ground up for nothing.


The 64 bit of Linux Mint will work just fine on your computer and yes go ahead and install Windows 8.1 upgrade. I have installed it on 3 laptops and my Ultrabook without issue.

Once you install Linux Mint as previously mentioned when you power up the computer you will have a boot menu where you can run either Linux Mint or Windows 8.1.

Linux Mint contains all the plug-ins and codex so it is ready to go when you install it rather than having to be a huge computer geek to get it going. Simple as falling off a log!

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
eljefino - I don't think I'd bother trying windows 7, it's not windows 8 that I don't like. If I switch it will be something other than microsoft.

Bottom_Feeder - No I haven't installed 8.1....I thought I heard that 8.1 came with problems that 8 didn't have. So I never installed it. Am I wrong? What benefits does 8.1 bring?

Rand - Thanks for the reminder to make the windows 8 discs!

So, looks like if I decide to make the switch, my best bet would be Ubuntu? Any Ubuntu users on here want to tell me more about it?

Thanks guys for all the replies....I'm considering all advice given. Keep it coming.

I prefer Kubuntu over "Unity" ubuntu, FWIW. The KDE interface is a lot nicer.

 

[Quest]

I'm with both Hokiefyd and Demofly on this part.

As a seasoned OS users, I'm currently running a mixture of Win7, Linuxes (Fedora, Mandriva and CentOS)...but have their strengths and weaknesses.

You just have to explore and see which one suits your needs the most.

Q.