Hello everyone. I'm looking to buy a cheap laptop for university and was highly attracted by the prospect of Linux, both from the standpoint of open-source software, and the ability to gain some real-time experience with an OS that has career building potential. From what I have picked up by way of Google, many users swear by Linux as a programmer's OS. That said, many also suggested having windows available for certain proprietary software.
So my primary questions are:
1. Is it possible for me to get by with a Linux system sans windows in an introductory cs environment?
2. If not, what kind of HDD size would allow me to comfortably partition for windows7 or 8 and an average sized Linux distro?
3. What distribution would you suggest? (I am aware Ubuntu is very user friendly and popular, but I don't hear much about productivity)
Just for full disclosure to avoid any confusion: I do have a windows desktop at home and will have them available to me in the campus labs.
Thanks for any feedback in advance!
So my primary questions are:
1. Is it possible for me to get by with a Linux system sans windows in an introductory cs environment?
2. If not, what kind of HDD size would allow me to comfortably partition for windows7 or 8 and an average sized Linux distro?
3. What distribution would you suggest? (I am aware Ubuntu is very user friendly and popular, but I don't hear much about productivity)
Just for full disclosure to avoid any confusion: I do have a windows desktop at home and will have them available to me in the campus labs.
Thanks for any feedback in advance!