Head to Head: Windows 7 vs Ubuntu 9.10
By Benny Har-Even,
Rating: 
Price as reviewed:£
Is there a subject more sensitive for hardcore computer users than the operating system they use? It’s one of those subjects that inspires extreme opinion and zealots will be guaranteed to vent their opinions forcefully, and woe betide anyone who disagrees.
It’s with some trepidation then that we pitch the most recently updated flavour of Linux, Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala, against the new mainstream choice that is Windows 7.
While Windows is only manufactured by one company, there are literally hundreds of flavours of Linux available out there aimed as specific user bases, but a few are dominant. Ubuntu is increasingly become the defacto choice for standard desktop users – simply because a lot of work has been put into making it as easy to use as possible.
Ubuntu is based on a version of Linux called Debian, which itself consists of a Linux kernel, combined with GNU project tools, while the desktop interface is based on the Gnome project. It’s all distributed in Europe by Canonical. If that all sounds complicated, then welcome to the world of open source.
Ubuntu (pronounced Oo-boon-tu) has been around since 2004, since Mark Shuttleworth gathered a group of developers to create a new flavour of Linux aimed at the desktop. Version 9.10 is not an update to the ninth version, but rather the first numeral represents the year and the second the version release for that year. Each version is also known by an alliteratively named animal – so 9.10 is Karmic Koala and the previous release was called Jaunty Jackalope.
The history of Windows is surely very familiar to people, but we’ll have to mention that Windows 7 has been hailed as the panacea for the PR and to a large extent sales debacle that was Windows Vista and it’s been very well received by reviewers and analysts alike.
Let the head to head comparison begin...
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Head to Head: Windows 7 vs Ubuntu 9.10
Please tell me when you had no choice to go to the command line. I rather doubt this is the case.
By otis2003 on Wednesday Nov 18
Head to Head: Windows 7 vs Ubuntu 9.10
Sorry about the typo ... let me rephrase that ... please tell me when you HAD to go to the command line. There are graphical tools for just about anything a novice needs to do.
By otis2003 on Wednesday Nov 18
Ubuntu is a serious contender
Ubuntu has beaten Windows in my PC & Laptop. I enjoy using Ubuntu more than Windows however Windows lives peacefully on my Hard Disk. I have dual booted my computers. Ubuntu is making progress is the OS battle. It's a tough fight, not because Ubuntu is not excellent but because Windows is quite good. The future is bright for us users. I have been using Ubuntu for more than a year & I feel the command line is not necessary, the GUI is great.
By IndianArt on Wednesday Nov 18
Not a very good comparison
With all due respect, from anyone with experience in using Linux (Ubuntu or other distro's), it is easy to tell this comparison was done by a Windows user with very little Linux experience. Linux is not Windows and will never be Windows. Why Windows is being used as a baseline to compare against is like comparing how to fly a jumbo jet compared to driving a sub-compact car. It's two different things. Just like anything else in life, study and learn what your working with and you'll begin to understand how it works.
By javaman67 on Wednesday Nov 18
RE:
"Version 9.10 is not an update to the ninth version, but rather the first numeral represents the year and the second the version release for that year." The truth is that the second number represents the MONTH in which the version is released (9.04 =April 2009 and 9.10=October 2009)
By rosant on Wednesday Nov 18
Interface ??
So how do you compare the interface and overlook Ubuntu multiple desktops, spinning cube, wavy/translucent windows? Pretty big oversight - doncha' think?
By crescen7 on Thursday Nov 19
flash
The comment that this article was written by a Windows centric writer I think was right on. Things are done differently on Ubuntu then Windows, your flash issue is a case in point. In Windows you would indeed go to the Adobe site to download the plugin. The best way to install Flash (as well as Java and your codecs) is to go to Software Centre and install "Ubuntu Restricted Extras", in minutes (depending on your download speed) you will have all the basic plugins and codecs you will need.
By rifferbc on Thursday Nov 19
Unfamiliarity with Ubuntu
I have to agree with javaman67 that this was done by a someone familiar with Windows and a stranger to Ubuntu. I had the same problems starting out 4 months ago. In a way, it's like starting out with Windows and not knowing where the device manager or language options were. Language support in Ubuntu is much easier to install. Ubuntu 9.10 has a search in the Software Center and as you type f-l-a-s-h, the flash plugin installer appears below. Click the right arrow to move forward, confirm, auto download, install ... done. The same can be done in the Synaptic Manager (http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/flash). There are hundreds (if not a thousand or more) software, drivers, plugins and what-not at your fingertips in the software center and by extension the synaptic package manager to choose from. Where in Windows can you do this without going to the browser to search on the Web? Lots of times the command-line is so much simpler and faster. As an example: "sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree" - done! All I did was google "ubuntu install flash" and I was given the command to copy-and-paste at this site: http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/ubuntu-linux-how-to-install-flash-player-for-firefox/. I did not have to dig deep in the google search. The first 4 links brought me the two options to install. Going to Adobe is the "Windows" way. Canonical provides updates to software that it tests and supports, and you are notified. Add third-party repositiories and the list gets even bigger. Updates are fast - almost always, everything needed is automatically downloaded and installed - much faster than Windows as the packages are almost always much smaller than Windows installers without the credit cards, serials, registrations and activations. There should be one more comparison - the different flavours of Ubuntu and Win 7 - Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu Studio, Edubuntu, Ubuntu Netbook Remix vs. Enterprise, Ultimate, Home Premium, Home Basic, Starter (hope I have remembered them correctly). None of the Ubuntu flavours are stripped down in the way that Win 7 is. The Ubuntu flavours are configured with the functions and software to meet the needs of specific environments and users, e.g. video enthusiasts and students in a school. Ubuntu multi-tasking is more responsive and faster even when CPU usage is 98% to 100%, e.g. while encoding video on my three single-core, 1G ram PCs. It's learning new controls which once familiar become second-nature, which Ubuntu has become for me after 4 months. There was 'Windows' interference when I first started, like trying to use ctrl-alt-del to get the task manager which often refused to materialize but which I found I could do clicking on system - administration - system monitor with no lag of the mouse even though the offending software froze. By the way, the worst freezes in Ubuntu came from IE6 on Wine in Ubuntu because one site I use regularly refuses to accept any browser other than IE. A fairer comparison would be to have two "drivers" familiar with their racing machines (OSes) running on the same race track (computer).
By orionds on Thursday Nov 19
sudo a bad thing?
Gee, if Windows required something like sudo to install apps, it wouldn't have so many viruses.
By scottiebu13 on Thursday Nov 19
Uh, What About Cost???
While I appreciate the technical and useablility comments of this review, should not there have been a comment somewhere therein about the relative costs of the two? Ubuntu and virtually ALL of its downloadable software is FREE! Windows and each of its updates and most of its software cost $$$!
By Spook74 on Thursday Nov 19
Yet another Windows based review of Ubuntu/Linux
This is yet another review of someone who is not familiar with Ubuntu or the GNU/Linux system. First of all, Wubi is for trying out Ubuntu and this method shouldn't be used in a review because it is much slower than running it in a separate partition. You state that Windows 7 won the compatibility comparison but yet you never state if the Windows 7 disk was a restore disk or a true Windows 7 disk. If you used a true Windows 7 disk then you would have to go out and find a lot of the drivers in order to get your system to work. You don't need to do that in the case of Ubuntu. Everytime I do a Windows install it takes much more time to track down the drivers for everything that doesn't get recognized. With Ubuntu it works out of the box everytime. You knock Ubuntu because of the Ugly interface (which I agree it can be ugly to the uninitiated). But why don't you use a different theme and turn on Compiz desktop effects? In my book Ubuntu is still light years ahead of Microsoft in this area. Desktop cube? Wobbly Windows? The Alt-Tab Alternative? Nothing compares in Windows to any of these features. Regarding ease of use, I install Ubuntu for new computer users and the elderly (because of the native support for large font sizes). They never need the command line and they never have problems with malware or viruses and the computer does everything they need it to do. I would never suggest a new computer user use Windows unless there was an application they needed to run with it. Overall, my suggestion is that you spend about 3-4 months with Ubuntu before you compare it with Windows. You can't compare it properly if you don't understand it. Ease of use: 1. Ubuntu 2. Mac OS/X 3. Windows Price: 1. Ubuntu (Free) 2. Windows ($50-$300 - the price is included in your purchase price folks) 3. Mac OS/X ($$$$ plus upgrades and hardware $$$$) Privacy: 1. Ubuntu (support for encryption, all open source so you can verify your information is not being shipped out and sold to some other company) 2. Mac OS/X 3. Windows (back doors, malware, viruses, etc.) Application Variety: 1. Windows (most software is written for it) 2. Ubuntu 3. Mac OS/X Hardware Support: 1. Mac OS/X (because it only works on their hardware and never has a problem) 2. Ubuntu (most things work out of the box) 3. Windows (still needs many drivers and support from manufacturers)
By KoryP on Thursday Nov 19
Thanks for all your comments.
@ javaman67 @rifferbc @orionds Yes, you’re right about my being a Windows centric user. I will freely admit that I have had little contact with Linux up to this point, and probably should have made that clear at the top of the article. However, I did make it clear that despite the teething troubles I found that 9.10 was straightforward to use – and it will keep its place on my laptop and I plan to get much more familiar with its ins and outs. @crescen7 I did give multiple desktops a mention. I didn’t for wavy/translucent Windows and spinning cube as I didn’t see them. I am aware that extra effects can be added via Compiz but I didn’t get a chance to install that at this point. @Spook74 Cost is absolutely a fair comment – but while its important for individuals it’s clearly not the issue for businesses and enterprise as a whole – or Linux on the desktop would have become widespread a long time ago. otis2003 My feeling is that if you adopt Linux, you’ll be better off using the command line to get things done – @ orionds points out how much faster that is once you’re familiar with it. However, @ KoryP says he installs Linux for new computer users so I take the point that it’s not essential. The Synaptic Manager an Software Centre are easy to use but need to be flagged better for new users IMO. Benny Har-Even
By Ip_benny5c28a904 on Thursday Nov 19
Installing Flash is Easy and Gnome DO for the app search
To author: Really you had a hard time installing flash? You can get flash and the multimedia codecs by installing "ubuntu-restricted-extras" it doesn't come with them by default for legal reasons. You will be able to play DVD's and play mp3's and all that good stuff. As for searching for files thats a option located under "Go" in a file browser. For app searching installing Gnome-DO is the way to go.
By MasterNetra on Thursday Nov 19
Re: Installing Flash is Easy and Gnome DO for the app search
...Granted someone new to ubuntu may not know about the stuff but its there, Ubuntu just needs to be more informative about this type of stuff...The Ubuntu-restricted-extras part anyway.
By MasterNetra on Thursday Nov 19
Harsh People
Ok, while I kind of agree with some of the feedback about this article I have to say I think it kind of betrays some of the problems with Linux users as a group. Yes this is a Windows centric user, and HE POSTED A POSITIVE REVIEW!!!! It's not a shining spotless review, but Ubuntu has it's rough edges. Think back 4 years to what most of the articles written by non Linux users trying out Linux looked like. I'm not talking about the success stories of what happened with a Linux guru was there to hold the Windows users hand, I'm talking about the go it alone stories like this one. They were ugly. They were ugly 3 years ago, and 2 and for that matter 1 year ago they were only starting to improve. Is some of this education? Sure it's education, but the fact is the interface SHOULD be intuitive enough that a non Linux user can at least get going without a total re-education in how computers work. This Linux user did just that. There are no common Linux myths here, there's no FUD, just an honest first look at what the system is like for a non experienced user. Amazingly that point of view is valid and useful for those of us interested in making Linux better overall instead of just making it for the hard core geek and keeping it that way out of some strange need for elitism. I'm looking at you Slack users. I'm all for having the hard core elite distros like Slack, but boy am I sick of hearing Linux users say Ubuntu of all distros shouldn't accommodate non Linux users anymore, and they should just learn how the system works. Big Tent people, Big Tent.
By Victor on Thursday Nov 19
Did the review mentioned?
I didn't red the review, but did he mention a few things: - When I put a Ubuntu Live CD, I can use the whole hardware of the computer, plus all devices attached to it. What do I get with a fresh install of Windows 7? - The Ubuntu CD contains a lot of software, like OpenOffice.org, Gimp, Email-Client, Browser, Chat, Videoabspiel, Musik and so on. What do you get on your Windows 7 DVD? - With Ubuntu you can choose between over 50 different languages, as well as Korean, Chinese and Japanese. As a bonus you can freely switch between them as you like. For that freedom you need Windows 7 Ultimate. - The package manager is light years away from everything Windows had or have. No more browsing through the internet for an application, no more updates to download for each app. seperate, just hit the package manager and do an update of the whole system (system plus all applications). In addition, you have no malware, trojans or what else you have. Btw, for all people who thinks the Ubuntu interface is ugly, try the new Kubuntu with KDE4.3. Every Windows user will envy you for the coolness and niceness of the GUI and the 3D effects and will hate you because it all was for 0$.
By devent on Thursday Nov 19
How about the resource usage?
Did the review also mention the resource usage? For example, I have a full Kubuntu Karmic system, with a lot of applications. Like the whole texlive, mono, java, openoffice.org, gimp, amarok, firefox, wine, etc. My system's size is 3.8GBytes. I have a 64GByte SSD, and with a whole system with a lot of applications I have still over 90% of my SSD for my documents. - I have 2GByte of RAM. When my system is up, it needs 200MBytes, now (with 20 firefox tabs) it needs 340MBytes. My system never needs over 500MBytes RAM (maybe if I start Eclipse, OpenOffice.org, Amarok, Kaffeine, Kile etc.).
By devent on Thursday Nov 19
Praise for Benny
I did not want to sound critical of the review. I agree that it was a positive review of Ubuntu 9.10. The one biggest problem that I have with Ubuntu is that hardware vendors do not supply drivers like they do with Windows, so I am still unable to get my TV card working though Ubuntu does support quite a number. Mine is just not in the list. However, this is not critical to my use. I would like to praise Benny Har-Even for his decision to keep trying Ubuntu. I would also like to suggest getting involved with the community and report bugs as well. You will find how supportive the community is. If you want a nicer interface, try Kubuntu though I prefer the simpler Gnome desktop. I look forward to a future article from you Benny on your experiences using Ubuntu. Make sure you ask for direction and suggestions on applications that you may not find in the Software Center or the Synaptic Manager. I have found a lot of good (free) ones and my dependence on having to reboot back into XP is continually falling, now only when I need to access my TV card which is less than 5% of the time.
By orionds on Friday Nov 20
Interesting Comments
Whilst many interesting comments have been made especially by the "Linux Users" with whom I agree broadly in that Windows is not Linux, they are totally different. But all that said, Ubuntu was designed and targeted at desktop users because that is where the volume and commercial expansion lies. In this sense comparing between the Apple OS to Windows or Linux or anything else is "fair" because you are looking at average users who would never install software themselves, that is what the company IT people are for ! So it is really all about "usability" not about the technology. For keen Linux fans and expert users, their career opportunities will blossom if large corporations started deploying a Linux desktop, or might that impair the fashion appeal for some ? I like Linux a lot but my uses are command line and web based, my desktops run Win 7 because that (Windows) is what my clients run.
By popskihaynes on Friday Nov 20
Just for balance...
... I found with Windows Vista that I had to resort to the command line as the quickest way of fixing network problems when things (specifically the DNS cache) get confused -- which happens often if you move your machine around, as I often do: Here's my fixnet.bat batch file: ipconfig /release ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew Not sure if W7 is better in this area.
By Ip_kimf8d23f3453 on Friday Nov 20
Applications are the key
Given the sophistication of the Windows, Linux and OS X desktops, arguments over their merits are like comparing vanilla and chocolate; it's a matter of taste and tastes change as the evaluator matures. Long before there was a Microsoft, an Apple or a Linux, the best advice was to find the best application software for your purpose, then acquire the platform to run it. That advice still applies, today. In the broad view, Open Source applications take a backseat to none. In the narrower view, each OS supports applications which may give crucial advantage in a specific usage. The list of such applications that favor Windows or OS X, however, dwindles almost daily.
By RamboTribble on Friday Nov 20
Ubuntu Install for speed
Although you were r easonanly objective, I think there are better comparisons else where. I'm surprised you used Wubi install when comparing two systems. Although it was easy for you, you saddle Ubuntu with the Windows ntfs filing system and do get the up-to-date benefits of ext4. You forgot to mention the hassle of independent Anti-virus and Firewall installtion in Windows let alone the cost of subscriptions most Windows users will already be paying on top of the cost of the operating system which is sufficient to buy you a new computer. Canonical and others have done a brilliant job. .
By Cushie on Friday Nov 20
Ubuntu
A very good review from a windows user really. We all know ubuntu is not like windows, but to increase it's market share and attract new users then the users it will attract will be more than likely be windows users, so their comments and experiences should be listened to if opensource software is to make a dent on the microsoft monopoly. His experiences are not uncommon when switching to ubuntu, i'm sure we all had these small issues when we first switched.
By knappers on Tuesday Nov 24
Strategy for Linux
Ubuntu has been following the strategy outlined in this essay and it shows in the recent version http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=125868 Try to read this and see how Linux can beat Windows in the near future.
By Mardol on Tuesday Nov 24