Advantages and disadvantages of changing to Ubuntu?

[JAC]

I was wondering if anyone could come up with a list of advantages and disadvantages of swapping from Windows to Ubuntu?

[phenomlab]

@jac I’ll be the first to junp in here

Advantages

• Completely free (FOSS) model meaning no licences required, or cost to install and use the operating system
• Wide range of open source packages to match “paid for” products (although some of these are a bit limited)
• Ability to use older machines to extend their life - no real reliance on new hardware
• Linux platforms are less susceptible to threats - they are not immune by any stretch of the imagination, but are of a significantly lesser target than Windows
• Non-monolithic kernel means updates and security fixes are processed quicker - typically by a much wider community
• Ability to customise - don’t like it ? Replace it with something else
• 100% freedom to choose what you want to run
• Enhanced privacy and security

Disadvantages

• Those coming from Windows can face a steep learning curve. Linux and Windows are nothing alike. you can make Linux look like Windows, but that’s where any similarities will stop
• Commercial software designed for Windows will not work in Linux - you could use Wine, or Crossover for example, but the experience is never that of Windows

Some points to get the conversation started

[JAC]

@phenomlab Great points! I was thinking of switching if my laptop gets a little more laggier with Windows.

[phenomlab]

@jac What machine specs do you have ?

[JAC]

@phenomlab Lenovo Ideapad, 8GB of RAM, 256GB storage, probably why it’s slowing down a little

[phenomlab]

@jac Not at all. That 256Gb storage is likely to be SSD, so it won’t be the disk type. 8Gb is a little “conservative” on Windows - do you know what the processor is ?

[JAC]

It’s no longer available from where I purchased it from, but I’ve managed to find it - https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/8035410483.

[phenomlab]

@jac that’s more than capable of running Ubuntu

[JAC]

@phenomlab Absolutely, don’t get me wrong I like Windows for what it does and the fact the majority of people use it, but I love the simplicity of Ubuntu

[phenomlab]

@jac yes, same here. However, my go-to system these days is KDE Neon.

[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.