Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in

Windows vs. Ubuntu: Dell's New Confusing Take

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US

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 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

Choose UBUNTU if:

  • You do not plan to use Microsoft WINDOWS
  • You 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.

There are 13 Comments.
Other Comments
  • 7
    anonymous@guest , July 21, 2010 8:00 PM
    shanky887614lets face it programing on windows is a pig becasue it hasnt got the stuff built it where linux has


    You're clearly not a programmer - or at least I pray to God you're not, with a perception so staggeringly flawed/rubbish as that.
  • 5
    Vampyrbyte , July 21, 2010 8:30 PM
    Bit wrong to state iTunes as a "Windows program." Looks much more like a dodgy mac port to me.
    There are also plenty of Open Source programs out there for Windows. Open Source programs tend to be multi-platform.

    I also disagree with Windows being the platform of choice for new computer users. I think Dell are forgetting that new computer users wont have any experience of either. Ubuntu is not a hard operating system to use. Considering these new users will be making a significant investment into their system, they would be better off trying Ubuntu, which is free, and if they cannot deal with it, they can buy and switch to windows after.
  • 2
    Micropat , July 21, 2010 9:29 PM
    My personal experience of Ubuntu is that the GUI (Gnome desktop and nautilus) is far superior to that of windows. For day to day use (for non-pc enthusiast) I think Ubuntu is well worth considering once someone isn't really tied into any windows only programs, especially when it's free. The latest LTS (10.4) worked right off the bat on my two laptops and my PC.