I'm already sick of Vista. Should I try Linux / Ubuntu?

Question

I'm more specifically thinking of trying Ubuntu--something easy to use, with a lot of help in case things go bad. I did some research and surely, Ubuntu seems to offer enough of just the essentials--music, videos, photos, word processing, web-browsing, etc. HOWEVER, there's one thing holding me back: Gaming. I'm not a hardcore gamer but every now and then I like to buy some new game that's out, and I'm a fan of pretty graphics. What does Linux have to offer in the gaming department, as far as compatibility with next-gen games, and graphics?

Answer 1

Ubuntu is a great OS, but you must remember it is a totally different OS, most peoples biggest problem is that they don't realize that there's a small learning curve, they actually expect Linux to look & behave like Windows? (I often wonder if those same people were switching from Windows to a Mac OS if they would have the same problem?)
Anyway Ubuntu has a couple of options for running software written for Windows.
One option is to dual boot (as described in the post above) Windows & Linux on the same computer.
Another is to use a program called Wine that will let you run Windows software within Ubuntu.
I have tried both options, and they both have their pluses & minuses.
Dual boot - you still have the full version of Windows & all the capabilities that it offers - but it takes up a lot of space on your hard drive, you have to create an extra partition(s) for Ubuntu & everytime you need to switch from Ubuntu to Windows & vice versa you have to restart your computer.
Wine - lets you run a lot of Windows programs & software inside of Ubuntu, I haven't found a program that doesn't work with Wine, but I've heard that there are some that don't work.

Answer 2

Ubuntu is a great operating system, and I highly recommend it. However, due to monopoly tactics by Microsoft, many hardware vendors have refused to play ball with Linux programmers who develop the graphics modules, etc. Therefore, gaming on Linux -- while quite good -- is not all that it could be. If you want to have your games, there are a couple of options:

(1) You could install Linux on the same disk as Windows (called 'dual booting'), or

(2) You could buy a third-party emulator for Windows gaming on Linux. The winner in this category, hands down, is Cedega:
http://www.transgaming.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=2&meid=-1
The developers charge a subscription fee for the program that allows you continuous updates. The prices are not high. I think it works out to around $60 USD per year.

I hope this helps. When you install Ubuntu, you may find this tutorial helpful:

http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/ubuntu-installation-606-1.html

Also, there is a specific section on resizing your Windows installation to make room for Ubuntu:

http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/resize-windows-partition.html

Answer 3

Install Linux along side Widows as a dual boot and use Windose onlyfor gaming.