Windows 8 vs Linux Ubuntu 13.04

Ubuntu 13.04 Vs. Windows 8 Pro

Windows 8 has only been around for a couple years and has already caused a stir and PC debate that many are taking part in. one very common: PC vs. Linux. I'm writing my review of the features of Linux Ubuntu 13.04 the month before it is released and Windows 8 Pro DVD copy.

For starters, let's start with Windows 8 key features. First thing you'll notice after the bootloader is this screen:

Now how do I use this? Well after you type in your username you just click the right arrow. However! Once you go to the lock screen, i.e.
hibernation, switch users or lock laptop, it would seem you can not log back in. At least traditionally. So what you do is click the bottom of the screen and drag up to reveal the Windows Metro screen. Which looks like this:

But wait! This is not the Windows we are familiar with. That is right, like Canonical and the Gnome Team, Microsoft decided to make dramatic changed to its UI. Strongly hinted off the AOL homescreen from the late 90's. This screen has created a negative stigma in its first appearance back in the Windows 8 Release Candidate. You must be scratching your heads right now wondering what happened to Windows Aero (the desktop UI used in Vista and 7) and my answer is that it's still there, just hidden. You need to find a box labeled desktop scrambled through out the tab boxes in Metro. Once you do, Windows 8 will literally flip around from left to right to reveal the traditional desktop, but with no start menu. This is because Microsoft is trying to encourage for the end users to use Metro more. Here is a screenshot:

Like a tablet, Windows 8 has the traditional programs as well as an App Store now. Apps can simply be installed by a click of a button. To go to settings you go to the hot corner at the top right to reveal them all. To go to open apps as well as desktop, go to the top right to reveal. To exit an app, hold down on the bottom of the screen and lift up with your mouse like the login screen then it will minimize and just drag to the bottom.

Problems I have with Windows 8 Pro.

1. Pay 80 bucks more for extra codecs and Media player (total being $199)

2. Having to switch back and forth between Metro and Aero can be a pain

3. Some key features of Aero removed

4. Hibernation Mode causes Windows to "lock itself out" when in another partition.

5. Sign in issues with some apps.

usability: 3/5
eyecandy: 5/5
stability: 3/5
ease of use: 2/5
vulnerability: 2/5

Score: 3/5 AVERAGE

Ubuntu Linux 13.04

For those of you who haven't heard Ubuntu is an operating system created by Canonical. A company that specializes in the open source operating system known as Linux/GNU. Ubuntu since its 10.10 release has introduced a new interface similar to Mac OSX called Unity. At first it has received bad reception, but people started growing onto it and liking it over time as it added new features over the years. Currently now what I am running on my second partition is Ubuntu 13.04 Beta (the month before it is released.) , so far I can tell you it is mostly stable with some bugs to iron out. They key features of Unity are its Unity Dash, The Hud and the new shutdown UI shown in the picture below:

Hud allows quick console commands without opening terminal or looking for stuff. for example, if an application wishes not to respond all you have to do is double click the alt key to bring up Hud and type in xkill and hit enter. then click on the non-responding application and it will kill the process. Thew new login screen only has subtle changes, although if you haven't tried 12.10, you probably missed out on Remote Login then. It's a nice feature that should have been free on Windows 8. The UI uses a Dash Icon as the Launch icon. It lets you see all your apps, documents, pictures, social feeds, music and videos. This is what is looks like:

You can also download and make purchases through Dash with a few clicks.
The most surprising hidden feature I found out was the improved MTP support. MTP is a protocol that allows devices to connect to your PC, and so far has only worked with Windows without any problems. Before the upgrade, I could not even connect my tablet to Ubuntu, but now I can with ease. One last thing I would like to say is that although you have the choice to buy extra media codecs in Ubuntu, its best to go the geek route and install them yourself for free. So far it is a solid OS, considering its in beta still.

Problems I have with Ubuntu 13.04

1. Very few games and applications vs. Windows

2.bug issues and crashes

3. Some applications freeze up randomly

usability: 4/5
eyecandy: 4/5
stability: 4/5
ease of use: 3/5
vulnerability: 5/5

Score: 4/5 ABOVE AVERAGE

Bottom Line, Ubuntu may not be perfect but in my opinion I still prefer it over Windows. Perhaps Windows biggest downfall is that is puts price tags on things that should be free like remote desktop and extra media codecs. Ubuntu offers them for free. It will be a long time before either operating system reaches perfection, but it's clear in my mind what might stand a chance. But it's all the according to the reader's opinion.