Windoes 7 to linux (ubuntu)

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tomekkplk1

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I recently started doing research on linux and wanted to give it a try. I read quite a bit about it, but to the linux users, what are the main differences between kubuntu/ubuntu and windows? Other than flashy UI?
Will iTunes load on linux?
I'm running a 2 year old HP laptop with a 2.5 dualcore cpu/4gb ram (not looking to buy new or upgrade for a wile), just trying to squeeze a bit more out of it. Thinking of windows 8 vs linux and steering more to linux.

I'm mainly just surfing the web, checking email, and on youtube. No games, at all.
Any advice or recommendations?
 
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ksham

ksham

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Difference is the UI.



No. You can actually emulate it but connecting your iPhone / iPod to it will be a bit trickier.



Linux.
 
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ex_bubblehead

ex_bubblehead

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1. Kubuntu includes the KDE desktop environment which is very similar to Windows Vista/7. Ubuntu uses Unity, somewhat MAC like. There are other flavors as well, but it's really a matter of taste which one you choose. You can also install additional desktops after the fact and switch between them if you wish.

2. iTunes doesn't come in a Linux version and WINE support is, as they put it on the WINE site, garbage. So no go there at the moment. Might have to resort to Windows in a VM for that one.

 
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ksham

ksham

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Windows won't run well in a VM in that computer.
 
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tomekkplk1

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I know Linux has it's own word processor, but I read you can use WINE to run on linux. I'll give that a try tomorrow, thanks.
I'll end up doing it the USB way, but is there anything else you can fill me in on? Like does it include flash to be able to watch youtube, (Codec I hear you need to install like VLC-or something like that)
 
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ex_bubblehead

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Actually runs just fine on my old Dell D820 in VirtualBox (XP & Vista). Though I am running a well tuned Gentoo system.
 
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ex_bubblehead

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WINE isn't perfect. Check out the support site to see how well it works with your software: http://appdb.winehq.org/

 
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Don't bother using Linux if your a casual PC user. Please. If you work in IT or are interested in that field then go for it. There are a lot of great tutorials and how-to's for just about every big linux distribution (we call them "Distro's"). Bad thing is if you want to run Flash (for Youtube) on Linux your stuck with a older version. Adobe stopped supporting it natively a long time ago. The workaround is easy enough, just use Google Chrome (it has a built in version)

As for using Itunes on Linux, not gonna happen. At least not on a laptop. You would have to run it in a emulator (or a Virtualbox/Virtual Machine, with Windows and that SHOULD be a legal version, not pirated.) And emulation takes a good amount of overhead.

The look and feel comes down to what you like. I personally use #! (Crunchbang Linux) because I value speed over all else.

Also good luck with video support. One of the biggest gripes I have personally is support for the Intel HD 4000-series video processors. If you use Nvidia or AMD it's normally OK.

Last thing, if you want a "complete out of box experience" meaning boot up, install the OS and run it you should look at Linux Mint. It comes pre-configured with a lot of 3rd part applications already installed. You could, of course, install them on your own under Ubuntu (don't bother, Unity has a high overhead for what it really needs to run well, plus Ubuntu has integrated Amazon now, no thank you!) So yeah, sorry for my formatting being all over the place, and good luck.

Edit: Oh and forget using Netflix on Linux, unless you run ChromOS (not sure if you can download that.) Netflix has started using HTML5 and it's DRM security but a large chunk of the library still needs Microsoft Silverlight (DRM). You can't get that easily on Linux. There are hacks and work-arounds, or you can use the virtualbox/virtual machine method I listed earlier) but the experience isn't very pleasant, at least to me. Again, good luck.
 
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tomekkplk1

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Guess that means I'm stuck on Windows, thanks for the input
 
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Godto

Godto

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thank you.

I was thinking try out linux for fun on my new build because heard so many story about linux. Was install in a separate hard drive and test it out, but seem to be more work then fun. once again thanks nosupport4u
 
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mdd1963

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There are numerous Live CD/DVD options, where you can try out almost any of the major Linux distros without any real effort (assuming you do not delete any partitions while tinkering!), and without installing anything to your harddrive; simply jump into your BIOS, change boot order to CD ROM/DVD, and play away. (You can choose between Elementary OS, PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu, Linux Mint 17, Knoppix, Zorin OS, etc...)
 
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skittle

skittle

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Or use HTML5 with any browser https://www.youtube.com/html5
Hardly any video sites require flash these days anyway. Its best to let it die.


I don't see what the big deal is about iTunes. There is no need for it. Any opensource media player can interface with iPod or other apple device. In addition you can simply mount it as a filesystem and use drag-n-drop via your file manager.
http://www.libimobiledevice.org/

All modern GPU's from Intel, AMD and Nvidia support hardware acceleration through either VAAPI or VDPAU. Yes even your intel HD4000 supports hardware acceleration via VAAPI
https://01.org/linuxgraphics/community/vaapi



Not true any more. Before it was possible with "Pipelight", but not necessary any more.
Yes Netflix is bringing native HTML5+DRM module to Chrome (browser) and does not need siverlight. Firefox will also be getting this feature (eventually).
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2014/09/netflix-linux-html5-nss-change-request

 
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skittle

skittle

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Most of the other replies seem to neglect the fact that it isn't 1995 anymore and Linux works well for a majority of users.

Linux Mint, Linux Mint (XFCE),Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu will be perfect for you. mainly the differences between them is the UI.
*for youtube:, recommend to use the HTML5 youtube or use Chrome browser for flash.

You can try LinuxMint without installing anything to your HardDrive by putting it on a flash USB and boot from it. This tool makes it very easy:
http://www.LinuxLiveUsb.com
 
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