Does anyone have any experience with Linux (Ubuntu) and Windows XP?

I'm tired of the Microsoft, and I want something that works better.  I have a friend that runs Ubuntu and he swears that it's 100x better than XP.  Any thoughts?

all Linux users swear it's 1000x better than windows. Most of them are also highly computer literate

I really don't think Linux is right for the average user

I run XP. Never heard of the other. If your friend swears by it make sure he is qualified to make such a statement. I heard rumors a lot about whether one is better than another. Usually they are pie in the sky. His might be better for gaming as some are, therefore he thinks it is the best, so be careful.

Linux is very good, the only caveat is you have to be a little more computer literate. Things Windows does easily for users (ex. software loading) is a little more involved in Linux. However, the Linux OS is free, most apps are free, you can get just about anything to run with it on some fairly outdated equipment. And they have good support online amongst Linux users.

Windows vista is 10,000,000,000X better than all of the others!!

Windows vista is 10,000,000,000X better than all of the others!!

Do they have the bugs worked out?  My first impressions of Vista was not very impressive.

no, just stick with XP

Vista seems good when your machine is built for it and comes pre-installed. Upgrades are a different story, a lot of issues with backwards compatibility.

Oh, and if you use your pc for working from home Vista compatibility with some VPN systems is a little troubling....

Windows vista is 10,000,000,000X better than all of the others!!

Funniest thing I have read in a week, thanks for the laugh

I bought a Laptop about 9 months ago. It is a Dell Inspiron 1521, with a dual core processor and 2 gigs of ram and a 250gb hard drive installed with windows vista. I have a computer degree and I have had no problems with the computer at all. Every program I have tried to run on the computer has been fine. I have had no problems at all. I still prefer windows xp just because of the learning curve. Certain things are different in Vista but if you are somewhat computer literate you can get the hang of it. Do not upgrade to vista buy a computer that is comes preinstalled on.

I don't have much experience with linux, but for the normal everyday user, Linux is not the way to go. If you want to try Linux, download and install it on a virtual machine from VMWare, that way you can try it out and see if you like it.

I bought a Laptop about 9 months ago. It is a Dell Inspiron 1521, with a dual core processor and 2 gigs of ram and a 250gb hard drive installed with windows vista. I have a computer degree and I have had no problems with the computer at all. Every program I have tried to run on the computer has been fine. I have had no problems at all. I still prefer windows xp just because of the learning curve. Certain things are different in Vista but if you are somewhat computer literate you can get the hang of it. Do not upgrade to vista buy a computer that is comes preinstalled on.

I don't have much experience with linux, but for the normal everyday user, Linux is not the way to go. If you want to try Linux, download and install it on a virtual machine from VMWare, that way you can try it out and see if you like it.

I have last years Dell Inspiron 1520 with Vista. I love it. I would never go back to XP, and thats a good thing because a lot of programs are leaning towards Vista type displays. For instance, the 2009 AutoCAD screen looks very similar to the Windows Microsoft Word Vista screen. They basically have the same set-up.

What specific problems are you having with windows?