Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?

[phenomlab]

I expect another reason why people stick with Windows is familiarity, and a general reluctance to reinvent the wheel and learn something new. Admittedly, I approached the change with some trepidation having been a Windows user since the 90s (yeah, I’m that old), but once I’d climbed the fence into the opposing field, I never looked back.

Sure, Windows is pretty, but that should not be the sole reason for keeping it ️

[JAC]

@phenomlab Totally agree, for me Windows does what it says on the tin as in it’s popular and works, but there’s something about Ubuntu that just makes me weirdly feel more secure using it.

[phenomlab]

@jac yeah - it’s not Windows !

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?:

@jac yeah - it’s not Windows !

There is that yes although for me it’s even down to the general feel of it and the apps it’s a different experience I suppose one you’ll only get if you want to change OS.

[phenomlab]

@jac the real issue here is the sheer amount of machines in homes and businesses that all use Windows as their primary operating system. The dominance of Windows alone means there are still huge numbers of people who use it because they are familiar with it’s interface and how it operates.

Sadly, hackers are all too aware of this also, and as a result of that, it remains the number one target in terms of newly discovered vulnerabilities.

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?:

Sadly, hackers are all too aware of this also, and as a result of that, it remains the number one target in terms of newly discovered vulnerabilities.

That leads me on to a question you’ll know …

Obviously talking a few days ago about changing antivirus to BitDefender on Windows, having used Ubuntu a fair few times over the years I always remember there was no real need for antivirus, is this still the case?

[phenomlab]

@jac said in Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?:

there was no real need for antivirus, is this still the case?

Not any more sadly. Given the rise in popularity of Linux and Mac, there are new types of malware designed to target these systems. Based on this, the possibility of a compromised system exists, but is by far less (actually by miles) likely than it works be under Windows. Remember that best practice is 80% of protection, and by using products designed to prevent ads, a VPN etc, this this risk is further negated.

Not entirely eliminated, but heavily reduced.

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?:

@jac said in Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?:

there was no real need for antivirus, is this still the case?

Not any more sadly. Given the rise in popularity of Linux and Mac, there are new types of malware designed to target these systems. Based on this, the possibility of a compromised system exists, but is by far less (actually by miles) likely than it works be under Windows. Remember that best practice is 80% of protection, and by using products designed to prevent ads, a VPN etc, this this risk is further negated.

Not entirely eliminated, but heavily reduced.

Thanks for the advice Mark, so what sort of antivirus is compatible with Ubuntu?

[phenomlab]

@jac This link provides all the detail you need

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?:

@jac This link provides all the detail you need

Many thanks, will take a look and feed back.

[JAC]

@phenomlab There’s a few options to choose then if I and when I did decide to switch . I’ll most likely wait until it slows down a little / buy a new one and run Ubuntu on the old one .

[phenomlab]

@jac Yes, that’s the traditional path - you get much more life out of the machine that way. Do check to see if the disk is in fact SSD though first - I’d be surprised if it isn’t given today’s standards, but you never know…

[JAC]

@phenomlab I’ll have to check when I get home, pretty sure it is SSD yes .

[JAC]

@phenomlab for now I’d probably just stick with windows and purchase Bit defender in November and once the laptop starts to slow down a little more then make the switch.

I wonder if Ubuntu works on Cromebook?

[phenomlab]

@jac said in Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?:

I wonder if Ubuntu works on Cromebook?

It does, yes. There are some restrictions, but generally, it works
https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/install-ubuntu-on-chromebook#1-overview

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?:

@jac said in Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?:

I wonder if Ubuntu works on Cromebook?

It does, yes. There are some restrictions, but generally, it works
https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/install-ubuntu-on-chromebook#1-overview

Thanks mate for the information. I’m probably best just running Ubuntu once my laptop slows down some more.

[phenomlab]

@jac Yeah, I wouldn’t just leap into it unless you have a valid reason (such as the laptop no longer working and needing to be reinstalled). Probably better the devil you know currently.

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?:

@jac Yeah, I wouldn’t just leap into it unless you have a valid reason (such as the laptop no longer working and needing to be reinstalled). Probably better the devil you know currently.

Absolutely mate, and generally as discussed that is the only time I have changed over to Ubuntu once the laptop has got slower.

For now I will carry on with Windows, purchase the VPN & BitDefender in later October / early November and then see how all that runs for a few more months .