College student with new laptop hates Vista, should he download linux or spend $100 for XP home edition?

Question

what about linux compatibility with other apps when compared with XP?

I'm doing this because it is frustrating that my new laptop is horribly slow despite 1 GB RAM and a duo core.

Answer 1

In a way, Doug is right.

First, riddle me this - what do you do with your laptop? Browse? Surf? Check email? Write a lot of documents? Make presentations? Spreadsheets? Play games? Then Windows is much stronger at all these than Linux is. By stronger, I mean:
- Better UI
- More options and applications
- More support

Linux is good, no doubt, but Windows supports *FAR* more applications than Linux does. The urge to switch to Linux should be tempered not by the UI but by what you want to do with your machine.

Make a list of what you do. Then Google that list for support on Windows or Linux. If most or everything you do is unavailable on Linux (or has a simpler, poorer version on Linux), then you're better off on Windows.

As for paying more to downgrade to XP, I'd say no. Why pay more for that? Eventually, most Windows apps will move to Vista. Additionally, many apps that work on XP also work on Vista (definitely FAR more than Linux).

If you *MUST* try Linux, do a dual boot. That will help you straddle the fence before you make a costly or wrong decision or mistake.

Answer 2

1. "Linux compatibility."

A: With your hardware, it can be a little hit or miss. Generally, your video, keyboard, all the basic stuff, should work fine. Your Ethernet port will almost definitely work. Your wireless driver may not work, but you can use something called "ndiswrapper" to use Windows drivers for it. The only thing I think you might not get working is your modem, which you may or may not get working (I've never gotten one working.)

B: Software. Linux, generally speaking, does not run Windows programs. Some can be made to work with "Wine", with varying degrees of success. Most programs have some sort of Linux equivalent, anyway, so you may not be hurting too much.

2. Did your laptop come with Vista? If so, I believe you may be able to "downgrade" from Vista to XP free of charge. This depends in large part on your OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=543

3. There are ways to help speed up Vista. If you are interested in talking to people about how to fix problems with Vista, there is no better place than:

http://www.msfn.org/

Answer 3

If you already have Vista, why would you want to PAY to downgrade? You should try Linux, perhaps Ubuntu, or Mandriva. You could also download the Linux Mint LiveCD, I find it to be a good Linux distribution with support for everything you could want, and Beryl 3-D effects. Even though you are on Linux and it's "safer" you must not forget to set strong passwords, a firewall and such things, just in case.

Answer 4

Downgrading isn't good , I've seen people try , something wouldn't work , and they'd ask me for help. Turns out drivers were for vista ,since the machine was built for vista. If you can find all the drivers , and , he REALLY can't get used to vista , then , give linux a shot , or, as others said , use a live cd.

Answer 5

Neither. Use BitTorrent, get a copy of XP, and install it. Using Linux is like using Mac - it's a necessity for some things, but in general it's just a bad idea. And Vista...no. Just. No. You have my suggestion.

Answer 6

Get used to it. Learn to love it. Vista is your reincarnated mother. Not all new computers support XP anymore. You might end up with a sound card or modem etc that you can not find the driver for to make it work with XP

Answer 7

Linux is faster and if you know how to use it way cooler and better then windows, you are 99% safer from hackers and no viruses and spyware malware and adware.

the only thing is it a whole new OS so it will take some time getting used to..

Answer 8

Use Linux. You can even run a 'live CD' version that runs entirely from DVD or CD. Try it.