Windows vs Linux

Although Windows and Linux have a lot in common, there are also many differences.

Price

Linux is cheaper - it can cost as little as the price of a CD or the download fees your ISP charges. Compare this with $380 and $450 for Vista Home Basic and Premium respectively. Much of the Windows software available comes at a price too, whereas almost all software for Linux is open source and free. Linux distributions come with all the essentials for a desktop system, from web browser to office suites, at no cost to you.

Hardware requirements

Linux is efficient - most versions will run on a PC as low as a 300 MHz processor with 128 MB of RAM - which means you can keep using an old computer that you might otherwise have to replace to run the high spec requirements of Vista.

Ease of use

The interfaces for Windows and Linux are similar in terms of ease of use, which makes switching over relatively easy. However, there are still key differences (Linux doesn't use drive letters like 'C:' that you see under Windows, for example). And in Linux there is more than one desktop interface (called 'desktop environment' in Linux language) so you have a choice of which one you want to use. The two most popular ones are Gnome and KDE - they look similar, but each has different features. Although this may seem harder at first, it's no more complex than moving between Windows 98 and Windows Vista.

Security

Linux design is inherently more secure than Windows, and having a smaller market share it's also less of a target for malware and viruses. As a result you don't really need a security suite for Linux, although you can still install one if you want to.

Installation

It's easy to buy a new computer with Windows installed whereas only a few manufacturers (such as Dell and Pioneer) offer systems with Linux. This means most people end up installing Linux themselves which, while no more complex than installing Windows, can be daunting if you've never installed an operating system before.

Using Linux isn't always straightforward either. While Linux has some excellent methods of obtaining new software (often called packages), you may have to tackle installation procedures which are designed for expert users and the language used for documentation can be jargon-heavy.

Hardware drivers

Windows generally supports more hardware than Linux. Most manufacturers produce drivers primarily for Windows, though some larger vendors produce Linux drivers. Although manufacturers such as Nvidia produce Linux drivers, the open-source community tackles much of the writing of hardware drivers which can lead to delays in support (these people are frequently volunteers, remember).

Can Linux run Windows programs?

Programs designed to run on Windows (or a Mac) won't run on Linux without some coaxing from software designed to do this. However, there are often Linux versions or Linux equivalents of the same Windows applications, so you don't need to run Windows programs (or Windows itself) at all.

Commercial Windows or Apple software such as Quicken or iTunes won't work in Linux. While there are alternatives, you'll need to check features carefully to ensure you get what you need. If you depend on specific Windows applications, you may find it hard to switch over. Linux has less to offer anyone who primarily uses their computer for desktop publishing.

Is Linux for you?

Reasons to try Linux:

• No need to pay for Windows, Office, internet security suites and basic applications.
• Fewer problems with viruses and other malware.
• Runs on older hardware.
• Provides an alternative to Windows for your main desktop operating system.
• You can support open source and even contribute to the community yourself.

Linux may not be for you if:

• You have limited free space on a Windows computer.
• Windows games or desktop publishing are a priority for you.
• You don't wish to learn to use a new operating system.
• Other people who use the computer don't share your enthusiasm.