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Question

Win7 vs Linux

Feb 11, 2013 6:10AM PST

So, I recently built my first computer and I'm trying to decide on the right operating system. I can get Windows 7 Professional from my school for free. Likewise, I narrowed Linux distributions down to Linux Mint (which is really just a fresher Ubuntu). If I wasn't able to get a non-bootleg Windows for free, I'd definitely go with Linux. But, since money isn't an issue here, I've been looking at pros and cons of the two and frankly I can't decide. I'm very familiar with Windows, but I am somewhat familiar with Linux, too. Either way, I'm sure I can learn what I need. And since I'm primarily a Java developer, the OS won't matter much for that. So, anyone have any thoughts?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
JAVA on fire.
Feb 11, 2013 6:14AM PST

At the office we are getting a lot of "no, don't use JAVA" feedback after all the news about it's security issues. Right or wrong, we follow the money.
Bob

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Answer
Have you considered dual boot?
Feb 11, 2013 6:18AM PST

There's no reason why you can't have dual boot. I'd make sure Windows 7 has a 100 GB or more for its partition, and since Ubuntu can easily fit on a standard DVD, you could likely get by with a much smaller partition for it. Since you just recently built your system, I'd think you'd have at least 500 GB of hard drive space.

Good luck.

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Re: Have you considered dual boot?
Feb 11, 2013 9:18AM PST

I was thinking that, but I figured I'd want to just stick with one. And you might be surprised, I opted for a 300GB hard drive cause it was a bit cheaper and I really don't see myself ever using much more than 150GB, at the most. I'd dual boot but I have windows on my laptop, so maybe I'll just go with linux for the desktop. Hmm.

Still pondering... but thanks.

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sounds like you have
Feb 11, 2013 9:32AM PST

already answered your own question, since you can get Win 7 Pro for free and you already know the system anyway , why not use it! On the other hand I think you should devote some time and disc space to a Linux distro as I believe it's up and coming as a contender. You can run Linux as a live disc or even in a virtual box BUT it's not like having it downloaded on your HDD. You can't get the full benefit of it until you download it. I suggest you get a junk computer somewhere ( pawn shops, Salvation Army) and run it as an OS and make a choice from there, than you can really decide what distro you like. I really prefer Zorin OS 6 or PCLinux over Ubuntu or Mint but, to each they're own. Digger

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The solution is to dual boot
Feb 19, 2013 2:39AM PST

The simplest solution would be to dualboot both operating systems into your computer. This is exactly what I do. If you do not know or want to dual boot, then choosing between the two really depends on what you do on a day to day bases. You can visit this link if you are really stuck: http://www.appsum.info/best_os.html
Hope this helps,
Grin

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Depends upon you and the applications you will be using
Feb 21, 2013 9:46PM PST

Linux would be the best solution as you wish to use Java. But still I would suggest you to consider a Dual boot option so that you can use Windows 7 if needed in future.

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Not enough info
Feb 22, 2013 10:29PM PST

Part of the problem here in answering this question is "what are your specs", how big is your HDD, what processor, how much ram, considering you just built this I am going to "assume" that you have the latest, not necessarily the greatest but at least 320g HDD and 4g ram with or without an added gpu with at least 2.5ghz CPU. Now, this is what I would do,
1st: install win7 on 100g of your HDD, if you have that much, the disk will help you partition this disk for it, once you get that up and functional the way you like it, install whatever version of Linux you want to try as a dual boot, the installer will help you with this also. That is really the only way you can figure it out what is best for you is by trying them, you can also use most of the Linux distros using USB booting too. To be totally honest nobody can answer this for you, everybody will give you their opinion but its up to you what works best. Just have fun with it, explore, I like Ubuntu and linux in general but I use windows xp and 7 also, it all depends on you, good luck with your venture.

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these questions are kind of a cop-out
Feb 25, 2013 11:11PM PST

they tend to stoke arguments from zealots of either platform a lot of the time. In your case, there is no reason whatsoever that you cannot use both at the same time, as both are available to you for no cost. I would recommend experimenting with a dual boot solution.

Personally, if I had to choose ONLY one operating system solution to use I would pick windows every time. simply too many overhanging compatibility issues in linux systems to worry about.