Thinking Of Switching?: Linux Ubuntu vs. Windows Vista vs. OSX Leopard

Linux Ubuntu 8.04 "Hardy Heron"

Photo Credit: Jake Carter

by Jake Carter
04/23/2008

Every few years, new operating systems are released for computers that promise new features, greater security and usability.

Mac OSX Leopard 10.5.2 and Windows Vista Service Pack One were both released in February of 2008. Linux Ubuntu released the latest version of its operating system, nicknamed Hardy Heron, in April. I tried out each of these three operating systems to see how they compared.

The first thing I looked at is the price. Windows Vista Home Premium currently retails at $129.95 on Microsoft's website, while OSX Leopard sells for $129.00 on Apple's. Ubuntu is an open-source project and is available for free download from one of many sites or mirrors. Winner Ubuntu.

Next, what sort of software is available for each system? Microsoft still has the corner on the market for supported third party software, but lacks the multimedia software available on OSX. Ubuntu is constantly expanding it's library but still lacks some third-party support. Winner Windows.

The usability of the operating system is a major selling point. This is what open-source operating systems such as Ubuntu are made for. When you purchase a copy of Windows, OSX or any of their products, you are not actually “buying” the software. You are purchasing a license to install and use it on a single machine. Ubuntu is classified as freeware and encourages you to download any and all of its software and change it however you see fit to make it better.

Security is promised from all three operating systems, but here Windows is a victim of its own popularity. More viruses are written to attack Windows than either of the other two operating systems. There are far fewer viruses for OSX, while there are no known viruses for Linux Ubuntu.

All three operating systems come with impressive visual affects. However, I found that Ubuntu was able to run more efficiently then Vista on the same laptop. The MacBook proved just as reliable. Tie between OSX and Ubuntu.

In the end, what you want to use your computer for will dictate how and if you upgrade. If you have a Mac, OSX Leopard is a good choice. If you have a PC then I highly recommend you make the switch to Ubuntu.

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Comments [post a comment]

you say: "There are far fewer viruses for OSX, while there are no known viruses for Linux Ubuntu." Viruses for OS X? Sure?	Posted By: Freedom [Website] 04/24/2008 08:46 AM
You can check for current known vulnerabilities for software and OS's at www.securityfocus.com/vulnerabilities.	Posted By: Jake Carter 04/24/2008 10:32 AM
Please, don't mislead people. Ubuntu is not freeware, it's open source. What do you mean by third-party support? The Linux kernel is the one with more device drivers support out-of-the-box and Ubuntu has more than ten thousand packages available in the repositories. And there's even official support. Actually, GNU/Linux has a few virus. But most of them are now harmless.	Posted By: Bruno Miguel [Website] 04/24/2008 6:07 PM
The term "free-ware" has nothing to do with the software being free. It stands for freedom of use. You can find this information on Ubuntu's website Mandriva Linux is also freeware but you have to pay for quite a few of it's features. Also I said currently has no viruses. There are none in the wild right now. That is not to say there have never been any or there will not be new ones in the future.	Posted By: Jake Carter 04/24/2008 8:04 PM
I have a few friends that have now made the switch to Ubuntu. I'm waiting for more reviews like this before I start playing with the OS. I'm sure once I do that I'll be pleased.	Posted By: DDallas [Website] 04/24/2008 9:18 PM
yes male 20 years	Posted By: farhan 04/25/2008 04:25 AM
Jake, freeware is exactly about the cost. Freeware is proprietary, closed source software distributed for gratis (Internet Explorer for example). Free Software is open source software that is licensed in a way to protect the four freedoms: 0)The freedom to run the program, for any purpose 1)The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs 2)The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor 3)The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits. As you can see now, freeware and free software are not the same. One is free as in "free beer", the other is free as in "free speech". If you read the Ubuntu, Mandriva or GNU page you'll see they talk talk about Free Software, not freeware. Please do not make that mistake in the future.	Posted By: Nadszyszkownik 04/25/2008 06:30 AM
i have question. on macbook osx leopard, what other operating system is best with it. xp/vista or ubuntu. i find ubuntu most interesting but most of the things i use are from xp. so i am confused.	Posted By: Sidu 04/30/2008 10:06 PM