Use linux Ubuntu in school

So apparently I'm going back to high school because I totally messed up my grades :) Last year I had a MBP as a school computer but I sold the mac after I graduated. Now a mac is really good for school, but it's not good for my economy so I'm aiming at a more traditional 500-600$ laptop. Now to my question, is it better if I keep W7 on it or is it safe to use Ubuntu? Bearing in mind I've unfortunately rarely used it but I want to try and learn Linux. There are no specific software we have to use. I only study the basic boring subjects.

asked Sep 29 '11 at 07:28

Yarvaxea
4.0k●56●72●113

edited Sep 29 '11 at 10:02

David
3.3k●11●20●62

Check your language. This site caters to all ages.

(Sep 29 '11 at 10:03) David

4 Answers:

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If you get windows with your laptop than keep it , if you want to try ubuntu just do "dual boot" , that is my recommendation , cause you don't want to lose "free windows". :)

answered Sep 29 '11 at 07:31

Ivan Tomica
1.3k●27●33●52

I have the option to not choose windows and save money.

(Sep 29 '11 at 07:47) Yarvaxea

hmm, sounds good, but i don't know, if you first try ubuntu, and i don't know, if you want ubuntu i recommend 11.10 LTS, cause 11.04 is like Windows Vista... Develop random features :D :D

(Sep 29 '11 at 07:54) Ivan Tomica

11.10 isn't out yet but when it is, it would be better to use it :P In the meantime he can just install Ubuntu 11.04.

I use 10.10 because it doesn't have Unity although I may upgrade when 11.10 comes out.

(Sep 29 '11 at 09:16) Hugo

10.10 was what i meant. it was typo. i sincerely doubt that 11.10 will be LTS

(Sep 29 '11 at 13:20) Ivan Tomica

I would go with Ubuntu. Saves you money, and honestly is just as easy, if not more so, than Windows.

(Sep 30 '11 at 11:21) Drmgiver

yep. stick with Ubuntu for a while. if your workflow gets slow and you find yourself really uncomfortable with it, buy Windows 7.

and make sure the laptop has driver support for both of these OSes. ya know what happens when there are no drivers right?

(Sep 30 '11 at 12:50) xedric14

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If you're gonna buy a new laptop, just keep windows 7. For school I would personally want a pc that will run. If your laptop has Ubuntu, or any other distro for that matter, and it fails, you are gonna have a problem. Windows is more easy to repair than Ubuntu.

Unless you are absolutely against windows and shiver by the thought of it, go with Linux all you want. I would personally go with a laptop you can rely on. If you do decide to go with ubuntu, make regular back-ups of your data and documents. Things can get ugly when you can't turn in that essay..

answered Sep 29 '11 at 13:29

Mitte
511●19●21●31

Are you serious? Windows is more easy to repair? Well, yeh, I suppose reformatting and reinstalling is easy, but I wouldn't wanna do it. Linux is easier to repair.

(Sep 30 '11 at 11:22) Drmgiver

Depends what programms you use on Windows.

If you want to use Linux then first check that you could theoretically do everything inside linux.

If you use specific paid software such as photoshop (like anyone pays for that...) then try gimp... etc.

There is no specific reason to use windows unless you really like it or you need to know it because you are always trying to fix windows based computers.

Modern operating systems are pretty cross platform because a lot of the software is opensource so you are always going to be able to communicate with a windows or OSX computer. (your open source list here). You won't be outcast using Linux... (only if you bang on about how much you like it)

Blu ray is a bit iffy on Linux at the moment and AMD fusion is not optimally supported yet, (ubuntu) to edit vidoes you need to install a couple of files and don't forget to install the ubuntu-restricted-extras to get all media codecs. Encrypted (normal) DVDs require some fiddling too. I think you need to install some chromium codecs too (if you use apps to run audio via chromium such as last.fm)

You could theoretically buy a cheap used laptop with a dead hard disk and run Linux from USB stick instead. It's not ubr fast, but usable. (although this can be done with windows 7 too) (why?? pop the stick out, super secure if someone steals the laptop, data is in your pocket when not in use).

answered Sep 29 '11 at 18:55

SignOff
(suspended)

hmm yes the reason is because I want to learn to use Linux. They only thing I'm really gonna use it for is typing down what the teacher says and then save it in the cloud. Anything heavy like PS or video editing I'll be doing on my desktop. And of course I want to show off Compiz to all my classmates^^ But I'm thinking of things like battery life, will it improve or get worse.. The laptop will probably be in the 400-600€ price range. I've been using Ubuntu before but I never really got into it.

(Sep 29 '11 at 19:03) Yarvaxea

If you want to learn Linux, than Linux is what you should get. I have used Linux for roughly five years, and I have never looked back.

(Sep 30 '11 at 11:23) Drmgiver

if Linux is a resource saver., (like what other people say) then it should be a battery saver too. at least, that's what I know about batteries. don't use too much CPU RAM and HARD DISK and you're up to plenty battery life.

your classmates might freak out upon using your computer. but actually it shows how superior you are for knowing how to use Ubuntu. :)

(Sep 30 '11 at 12:56) xedric14

hehe yes exactly :P It's starting to be trendy with macs in my school and they show off their awesome osX experience (which is not so awesome). Then I want to show off some really nice eyecandy with compiz or whatever the new thing is called^^

(Oct 01 '11 at 08:11) Yarvaxea

if you wont be gaming and don't mind not getting hardware acceleration for many file formats, then go with ubuntu, for what most people do on the computer, ubuntu will meet all of their needs

and if you need windows and have a old PC laying around that you no longer use then use it's cd key

answered Sep 30 '11 at 11:55

Razor512
15.5k●34●80●242

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