Has Ubuntu Quietly Caught Up To Windows?
With Microsoft’s Windows 7 beta on my netbook at various times since October of last year, it’s easy to overlook alternatives. After all, the general consensus in netbook-land is that Windows XP works great on computers where Vista is less than optimal. So when Windows 7 started running at XP-like speeds with Vista’s interface, I figured that the new operating system will be the de-facto netbook standard. Shame on me for making that assumption and focusing on other areas of the mobile space. I generally missed what Microsoft may have also overlooked: Ubuntu is coming on strong.
Although I haven’t installed it yet, the newest version of Ubuntu hit the web this week. It’s version 9.04 and goes by Jaunty Jackalope. Now I tend to draw my own conclusions in terms of devices and software, but I also read reviews just like you do. And this CNET review of Ubuntu 9.04 indicates that Ubuntu is well worth the download and install. The review sucked me in with this opening salvo:
“Here’s what the official press release won’t tell you about Ubunutu 9.04, which formally hit the streets overnight: its designers have polished the hell out of its user interface since the last release in October. So much so, in fact, that I am starting to prefer using my Ubuntu “Jaunty Jackalope” desktop over the similarly slick Windows 7 beta (which I am currently running full-time on one desktop) and Mac OS X opertating systems, which I also use regularly.”
Obviously, the choice of operating system is as personal as the choice of device you’re going to run it on. And to be honest, I’ve been very happy with Windows 7 on my MSI Wind netbook. Plus, I tend to live in the browser and let’s face it: Firefox is Firefox whether your running it on Windows, OS X or Ubuntu. But I can’t pass up the opportunity to look at what the Ubuntu team has done in the past six-months. I’m undecided on whether to use the standard desktop edition or the newest Ubuntu Netbook Remix, so maybe I’ll try both. We’re expecting the release candidate of Windows 7 in the near future, so I’d be wiping the Wind clean anyway. After reading about all of the polish and shine there is the newest version of Ubuntu, I might as well wipe the Wind sooner rather than later.
Without the hands-on experience, I can’t say for sure if Ubuntu is now more on par with Windows 7, but I intend to find out. From the sounds of it though, it appears that the Ubuntu team at Canonical have quietly lurked in the shadows like mice while trying to catch up to Microsoft and their lion’s share of the market.
Has anyone jumped on this version of Ubuntu already with their netbooks? Any general thoughts or comparisons that might make me hit the download button even faster?
Been running Win7 on my Dell Mini 9 since the beta was released. Love it and how it runs on the Mini. Like you, I’ve assumed I was going to install the prod version when it was released. However, I installed the U 9.04 USB-stick version yesterday and gave it a good run through and am thoroughly impressed. I got rid of the remix desktop after about 10 minutes as I didn’t have any problem running the regular Gnome desktop on the small screen, and for me, it only got in the way. All the peripherals ran fine, except the wireless which took about 2 minutes of tweaking. OpenOffice 3 ran fine, and Firefox was the same as on Windows. I downloaded and installed WINE and was able to install and run the Windows version of FullTilt Poker without problem (not that I’d ever play for real money). Depending on the cost for the full Win7 version when its released, I would strongly consider U 9.04 instead of Win7 for the Mini.
Thanks Keith, good to know! I’m about 33% complete with my download of 9.04 and I decided to grab the full desktop edition. Based on your commentary, I think I’ve made the right first choice. I’ll likely still look at the Netbook Remix, but it’s probably a better apples to apples comparison for me to use the standard desktop version as compared to Windows 7. Thanks again!
The Netbook remix does include a system preference that switches between the standard desktop and NBR. It also skips on unneeded apps like brassero for CD burning and others.
I had been running a slightly customized build of Intrepid Ibex for a while now on my Eee PC 901 using the Netbook Remix interface. I have loved it and not looked back. Last night , I downloaded and did a fresh install of Jaunty using the Ext4 file system and no swap and have to say that Jaunty Jackelope flies in comparison. Install time, boot time, suspend/resume time, and Firefox all run significantly faster than to previous version.
I am waiting for some more Eee specific updates, but am very happy with the upgrade.
running kubuntu 9.04 on a 1000h. everything works fine “out of the box” incl. wlan and special keys. screen design is way better for netbook screens than win7.
by the way – the ubuntu family covers now almost everything. desktop / server / netbooks / mid’s and arm cpu’s. one system- one philosophy
Has anyone tried any of the usb 3G broadband devices with Ubuntu 9.04? Do they work? Are they easy to set up.
I’m burning my copy of Ubuntu 9.04 right now. After I get it installed, I’ll plug in my USB 727 EV-DO adapter on Verizon’s network and let you know.
Thanks Kevin. I an older seirra wireless 3g device on ATT network. I think its a 575U. If It will work with Ubuntu, I might have to switch.
Wow. Right after the install and first boot, I connected to WiFi with no problem. I expected that. Then I plugged in my USB727. It connected in < 5 seconds. Under the “Mobile Broadband” wireless menu, I now have an “Auto Mobile Broadband (CDMA) Connection” that was automatically detected. No drivers needed and no intervention on my part. Simply plug and play for 3G. MOST impressive!
I tethered a nokia E51 and it detected and worked perfectly straight away on my eee701 (ext4 install, 2gb ram, no swap)….
Runs brilliantly
well, here we go. the kubuntu 9.04 doesn’t recognize my usb modem SPEED UP SU 8300u. It runs ok in kubuntu 8.04 using lcmc. But I’m so frustrated how to make it runs on 9.04. I can’t imagine to switch again back to 8.04.
I’m running the Netbook Remix of 8.10 on my HP Mini 1000 right now and I much prefer it over the full desktop install of Ubuntu, mostly because of the speed.
It boots faster. And I do like the UNR launcher over the standard desktop UI for the small screen.
I’ll be slapping 9.04 on my desktop this weekend most likely. I’ve been running 8.04 on that since it was released.
Here’s my experience of installing OSs on my Fujitsu laptop:
Windows 2000 – check
Windows XP – check
Windows vista – check
Windows 7 beta – check
Linux bully beef or whatever the previous version was – black screen after 10 secs. This was trying to run from USB, CD and trying to install it. Tried other makes of Linux and got the same result.
Gee John, there’s one constant in all of that: you!
Just kidding! The obvious constant is the hardware. I wonder what it is about the Fujitsu?
I think it’s the video card. When starting Ubuntu from the live CD, choose Safe Video Mode or whatever it’s named. It should work. The only thing you’ll be missing is the fancy graphic effects, but all the important features should be there for you to try.
If that works, it means your video card doesn’t have a driver for Linux. Safe Video Mode tells Linux to use a generic driver.
I got about an hour less of battery on Ubuntu 8 (eeebuntu) on my eee… (and it’s running off of SD card, not even HDD)
Wonder if battery is any better in this version. I want at least XP-like battery life before I permanently switch.
I just did an upgrade from the 9.04 beta on my Fujitsu P1620. The ugrade went fine and looks good. The key will be whether I can get the touchscreen working, though.
Bill
The one thing that still really sucks about ‘buntu is email. I loaded Xubuntu 9.04 for the newly touted exchange support in Evolution. Guess what? It didn’t work out of the box (or iso). Once I did get it to work (download the plugins, disable samba (WTF!)), it decided to EAT my inbox, corrupting 6,500 email messages.
No thanks.
Sure you can use Thunderbird for IMAP, but then you get no calander, public folders, etc. I guess if you’re lucky enough to use google for your stuff you’re ok, but I’m on a network domain…
UGH.
I have the same issue and I work in our IT dept. I came up with an acceptable solution for myself:
Install VirtualBox
Install a minimal WindowsXP guest (join to domain if you wish)
Use it only for Outlook — Make sure sound works on the guest
Put it on a separate ‘desktop’
This probably isn’t as neat and clean for everyone but just thought I’d throw it out there.
Had been waiting for JJ and downloaded it yesterday. Plan to be trying it with my HP TC1100. Booted it live yesterday. Was pleased right off the bat that my Wifi worked. Will try it later. My biggest problem will be in getting it to work with the touch screen. Really am getting to like it using WinXP Tablet. Like Bill commented getting touch screen will be a critical issue.
Mike
I’ve been running Ubuntu for the past several years, including 9.04 on my Dell Mini9. My advice to anyone is to take some time and learn the system, discover the tweaks and settings, after that it’s smooooooth.
After playing with a 9.04 LiveCD on a full fledged laptop yesterday, I’m about ready to pick up one of those cheapie Dell Mini 9s for $200. It’s good. Amazingly, it also recognized a Sprint USB aircard and Verizon PCMCIA card out of the box.
$200? Could you point me in the right direction? Everywhere I look I see them starting out at $270 or more, excluding shipping costs..
Dave, they often have deals on the Dell Mini 9, just wait it out. Unsure if they still have the $200 dollar deal on its Vostro cousin, the A90…
I have to agree. I saw the deal on the $199 Dell Vostro A90. A co-worker had a Dell Mini 9 running Ubuntu 8.04. I borrowed it for one day and was genuinely impressed with the OS. It was pretty nice!
The one issue I had was with tethering (Bluetooth preferably). Couldn’t get it to work. But then again, I only had one day with it.
But based on that, I bought one of the $199 A90s. Too bad it won’t be here for a month…
Odd thing is that I have an MSI Wind which, in almost every respect is a better, more powerful device. But the heavy LCD screen causes it to tip over constantly unless it’s on a flat surface, so no couch surfing
So the A90 will replace it.
I bought a Dell mini 9 with Ubuntu 8.04 preinstalled. I had problems with the netbook freezing intermittently shortly after log in. So, I download Ubuntu 8.10 and made a live USB. I installed Ubuntu 8.10 on the netbook using the live USB. Once installed, everything work with no tweaks and no more freezing.
I recently upgraded (over the net) to Ubuntu 9.04, and again everything worked with no tweaks (including wlan).
I have owned my Dell mini 9 for about 8 months, and have really enjoyed it. My son (13) really likes it.
Wayne
For the record, you can easily switch Ubuntu Netbook Remix to the standard interface, and still install any packages you need.
I’d say if there’s any possibility of your using the netbook interface, to get the UNR build.
It should be pointed out that for a serious computer user switching to Ubuntu Linux is easy. An average user will have a bit of a learning curve. Buttons and features are in slightly different places. It will take a few days to get used to this and a month or two to get really familiar with it. Being up front about this will reduce frustration from new non-power users. It also will work with tons of hardware but not with every single piece of hardware ever made. Vista, and I assume Windows 7, has a similar problem. I have read that Ubuntu will not work with a mobile broadband stick from one of the providers in London but I can’t remember which stick it was.
I’ve had mixed experiences running Ubuntu on Fujitsus too – perhaps John should consider using the Wubi installer for Windows
http://wubi-installer.org/
Thanks for the tip, Kip. When I get some spare time I’m going to give it a try.
Loaded Ubuntu 9.04 on my MSI Wind 100x and it boots up to login and password in half a minute! This thing is freaking fast!
All hardware works right off the bat from installation: sound wifi webcam. Still toying around with Open Office 3 to find the new features.
Argh… that touchscreen calibration icon is so frustrating… now i wish my MSI Wind was touchscreen!
how about the mic? one of the ongoing problems i have had with ubuntu on my msi wind is trying to get the mic to work so i can use skype. it is either way quiet or there is lots of feedback.
The only thing that keeps me from going to Ubuntu all the time is the lack of support for some Windows apps in Linux. Specifically – the lack of a Sling client is a deal-breaker for me, and one that keeps me dual-booting, for now. Oh, does anyone know if they have made it easier to tether via Bluetooth to a phone for data connections? When I used Ubuntu before, I spent quite a bit of time tweaking, and still couldn’t get Bluetooth DUN to function reliably.
Really interested in this is well i could never get bluetooth dun to work.
tfinnan,
Have you tried using virtualbox(http://www.virtualbox.org/) ?
You can use VirtualBox to create a virtual Windows installation inside your linux and run all your windows apps on it.
I’m glad everyone seems to like Jaunty. I’m still using Hardy though – maybe dual install Jaunty to see what the big dif is. Ubuntu still needs to make Windows programs easier to just run in it, rather than this Wine junk. Then maybe everyone else will jump aboard with us.
My sister and her kids that are quite computer illiterate had continuous problems with a XP laptop they bough a couple of years ago. It was mostly problems related to flaky the AV and security software nagging them about updates, network not connecting etc. So I slipped in Ubuntu 7.10, showed her the firefox icon and since that day their computer problems are a thing of the past (even after daily usage). So if you are tired of by being your relatives computer support I strongly recommend installing Ubuntu on their machines.
I’ve got a dual boot WinXP/Jaunty on a Dell Inspiron 9300. I upgraded from 8 to 9 using the synaptic update utility. I had already downloaded the iso, but I thought I’d try the utility just to see if it would work. It took a couple of hours to download everything, and another short while to install and perform the upgrade but it worked like a charm. I have no issues at all with it. I keep the WinXP partition for the occasional need, but that’s more and more rare as I use Ubuntu. I recommend it.
Driver support is still a big issue. My scanner, my webcam – both gone. No support and no hope. I do like the interface though. Few more years (been waiting since mid 90)
PS Sound looks like the issue as well.
A bit late to this party but I got 9.04 and was pleased with the performance on my eeepc 1000h.
About Bluetooth: I recommend switching to Blueman as a Bluetooth manager. It is a simple change of your repos and then tethering process.
This was my major killjoy until I changed it. Now I just certain apps and I can blow the fruit stand that is windows.
Heres a big tip. I prefer the KDE session and to make it run fast and save power; disable composite (ctrl+alt+f12.. i think) and it runs nicely.
hope that helps others
I am preparing a quadruple-boot (WXP, W7, Ubuntu, Mac Os X) for my MSI Wind 100 and was wondering if I should install UNR or the desktop version. After reading the above postings I am still not clear on the main advantages of UNR… Thanks!
Are you guys kidding? Microsoft releases a new and equally shitty OS every 5 minutes. I used to have Xp. Then came vista. Now Windows 7? WE JUST Upgraded.
Im fed up with their bullshit. I gave Ubuntu a try and havent looked back. I learned how to use it in 4 days (never used any linux before), and im happy i did.
Its a LOT faster than Vista or Windows 7 for that matter. Just look at the benchmarks online.
I was a windows man till 2008, with Ubuntu in my little eeepc 701 netbook, just forget about loading virus and super heavy antivirus: there is no coming back to windows.