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Windows vs. Ubuntu: Dell's New Confusing Take

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Windows: for everyone but open source programmers.

Last month Dell posted a website that in no uncertain terms claimed that Ubuntu was safer than Windows.

"Ubuntu is safer than Microsoft Windows," Dell wrote in its list of top ten things users should know about Ubuntu. "The vast majority of viruses and spyware written by hackers are not designed to target and attack Linux."

"Linux is used on computers of all sizes ranging from the biggest to the smallest," Dell said. "If you’re the kind of person who likes your computer to simply work, Ubuntu is right for you. It’s based on stable, secure, easy-to-use software that’s been around for a long time."

For this month, Dell has corrected itself to clarify that each OS is for different types of users with differing wants and needs. Let's see what Dell says this time:

WHICH OPERATING SYSTEM SHOULD I CHOOSE ?UBUNTU is not a Microsoft Windows operating system - and is not compatible with Microsoft Office programs - so it's important you make the right choice:Choose WINDOWS if:You are already using WINDOWS programs (e.g. Microsoft Office, ITunes etc) and want to continue using themYou are familiar with WINDOWS and do not want to learn new programs for email, word processing etcYou are new to using computersChoose UBUNTU if:You do not plan to use Microsoft WINDOWSYou are interested in open source programming

So basically, people who use Windows or who have never used Windows should use Windows. You should only choose Ubuntu if you're into open source programming and so happen to require Dell's advice on which OS you want.

102 Comments Comment from the forums
  • rohitbaran 21 July 2010 19:13
    So basically, people who use Windows or who have never used Windows should use Windows. You should only choose Ubuntu if you're into open source programming and so happen to require Dell's advice on which OS you want.
    Wow, as if one didn't know that already! :D
    Reply
  • maigo 21 July 2010 19:23
    One OS isn't 'safer' than another just because no one uses it.

    Linux = Open Source
    Open Source != Linux
    Reply
  • carickw 21 July 2010 19:28
    maigoLinux = Open SourceOpen Source != Linux???
    Reply
  • 21 July 2010 19:31
    "If you’re the kind of person who likes your computer to simply work, Ubuntu is right for you. It’s based on stable"

    This is so wrong, in ubuntu 9 at least, I didnt try 10 yet, but I got loads of errors and difficulties, from installing java into firefox requiring a lot of weird console commands which is imo the reason why any linux based OS still fails tothe public, to the "ubuntu update" that failed in the middle and didn't install anything, but somehow marked all updates as installed and I couldn't reinstall them again, a mess of a OS compared to windows.
    Reply
  • gtvr 21 July 2010 19:43
    I wonder how many hours of research went into that comparison chart.
    Reply
  • bebangs 21 July 2010 19:45
    if you dun goofed, choose windows.
    Reply
  • Steven Bancroft 21 July 2010 19:47
    Choose WINDOWS if:
    You are already using WINDOWS programs (e.g. Microsoft Office, ITunes etc) and want to continue using them
    You are familiar with WINDOWS and do not want to learn new programs for email, word processing etc
    You are new to using computers

    Did I just get downgraded to newb status for using Windows?
    Reply
  • halls 21 July 2010 19:48
    Who told Dell they needed to confuse their customers even more than they already do?!
    Do Dell machines come with a choice of Ubuntu or Windows now? I didn't know they were allowed to sell Ubuntu as part of their packages.
    Reply
  • iammalkav 21 July 2010 19:49
    Ubuntu 10.4 lets you install Java through their add/remove programs dialog. This is no harder to use than windows update and if you are looking at a clean install it is actually easier because you can search for "Java" and find the update easily.

    There are ways to reset/fix the information that their update program uses, but yes that part is still a pain to use.
    Reply
  • falchard 21 July 2010 19:50
    How is that confusing? Seems like common knowledge to me.

    HEY EVERYONE, HACKERS DESIGN VIRUSES FOR THE OS THAT REPRESENTS 90% OF THE MARKET!

    Ubuntu has many advantages in productivity over Windows. The problem is gaining market share. The Ubuntu development team probably would not be able to handle hackers targeting them. Even though Linux has less security holes, Windows has the manpower behind it to quickly deal with security threats.
    Reply