First and foremost, this is not an article to tell you to switch from one OS to another, more to the point, I am trying to show you, our readers, where the performance lies and MY level of pain in implementing a proper solution. Realize that I have used Windows XP for about 4 years now in work and home, Ubuntu Linux for about 1 yr on and off and Windows Vista for less than 30 days (granted the flow from XP will be an advantage). The test products are as follows:
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Microsoft Vista Home Premium
• Ubuntu Edgy Eft (6.10)
The first question I am probably going to be asked, why did I chose Vista Home Premium? We at Viper lair feel that this will be the primary solution purchased by the majority of end users, especially since it also contains Media Center; the up-tick to Vista Ultimate only has the added security of Bit-Locker and the promised Ultimate only extras offering any tangible reason to go above Home Premium for the majority of home users. It certainly shouldn't affect performance in any tangible way. So now that we have chosen our operating systems, let's go over the hardware.
Test System
Asus P5W DH Deluxe, Patriot PC2-6400 2GB, Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 (Stock2.13GHz), Samsung 18x DVD+/-RW SATA Drive, Samsung 250GB 7200RPM 8MB Cache SATA-II Hard Drive, Asus EAX1650XT
As you can see we are not going all out with this system. It is what I would call a highly likely system purchase by our average reader. Sure, you might go nV for your video or AMD for your processor but the system specifications, generally speaking, should be pretty common.
Installation
Installation was interesting; by that I mean that despite the fact MS have done wonders with the Vista installation routine, I would have sworn that MS Vista would be the slowest as it is the biggest install. Not the case by any means.
Install time in Minutes: Seconds, Lower is better
As you can see, Ubuntu installs slightly faster, not enough to warrant an issue even in my line of work, where re-installing is a bi-weekly thing. Poor XP Pro brings up the rear, by a significant amount mind you. Once installed, whats the time it takes to boot up (once the BIOS POST's)?
Boot time in Seconds, Lower is better
Vista is downright impressive, you barely have time to get a soda (or beer :p). If you think the boot time is impressive, you should see the wake time. I swear its instantaneous, you press the power button from Vista being asleep, and there is the login screen; VERY impressive.
Let's go over some random thoughts during the installation of the 3 Operating Systems shall we:
1. XP -Professional
Tried and true, you are comfortable here
Easy to install, use, manage and setup games on
2. Vista Home Premium
Install is actually easier then XP Pro
Once installed, its time to fumble around
- Where are my network drives
- I don't see my download directory
- Will Firefox work? (yes it does
- Oh crap, this application won't load
- Need to get drivers for my Logitech mouse, nope, nothing on their site
- The Marvell Yukon NIC works, but not very fast
3. Ubuntu Edgy Eft (6.10)
Install is the fastest of the bunch
- Wow, detected my mouse buttons fine
- Internet works great out of the box
Now the fun begins
- Wait, Office is already installed? (Open Office)
- Firefox too?
- I can't find the launcher to that new program I installed
- Which Wiki do I use to install the ATI drivers?
- Wait my screen is skewed to one side, how do I fix that?
Remember, its not harder, its different
My overall impressions of the installations themselves are rather immaterial. Ubuntu installed the fastest and included several packages that had to be added after the fact for the other OS's. Unfortunately, once installed, Ubuntu took the longest to get to the point of running the tests (once again, I am an XP user for the most part). Let's look over each OS as it relates to getting them test ready.
Although XP, Ubuntu and Vista are all great operating systems ,Xp is much less complicated to install It is easy to use than both vista and Linux, in simple turns it is just touch and go.
If you already have Xp and have just quickly changed to Ubuntu or vista you will see the difference in complication.
A classified ad at pchomeworld shows that XP was on top with 9.67 out of 10, second Vista with 8.13 out of 10 and Ubuntu last with 7.8 out of ten.
