Should I buy a laptop with a Linux operating system: the arguments "for" and "against"

© photo

Recently, on the shelves of supermarkets and electronics are increasingly can be found notebooks and netbooks, where instead of the usual "OS: Windows 7" or "OS: DOS" (or even "no OS"), the buyer sees a tag that says "OS: Linux ". Should I purchase a laptop, which is often not even installed a full and trimmed distribution? What you risk and what will win? stores Consultants often find it difficult to answer, and are even less informed than the potential buyer. Therefore I hasten to dispel some myths about the "uselessness" of the laptop ( "it is still Windows should be put ") and at the same time to look objectively at all the" pros "and" cons "of buying a laptop with Linux on board.

The argument "for": to save money

Perhaps you are aware that buying a laptop with Windows (however, and with OS X - only there the order of prices on some less), you not just paying for "iron" in the set, but also a couple of hundred dollars for blood all the software (required OS + utilities; and even for some anti-virus, in some cases), which is the "iron" manned. Question: Do you want to spend money to solve the basic problems that 80% of users can be solved with the help of free software? Laptop with Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or similar distributions "on board" the money you will save.

The argument "for": Flexibility in configuration

It is no secret that proprietary operating systems contain a large number of closed options, for which the adjustment needs of the user must either put the third-party tools (often paid) or strongly izgolyatsya something breaking (and this is, as it were potentially too legally). Not to mention the fact that Apple (with all due respect to this giant industry) - one style design for all, and customize to your liking it will not work (this is if we talk about the visual side; But there is also a functionality that is not always necessary in this volume, if you - a mathematician or a pro photographer). In Linux family such flexibility is (booms and every IT experimenters confirmed that on the basis of the same "iron" and the configuration can be "working horse "Developer to configure, and the mobile station for processing photos and videos, and print server, and pre-press text, and many other things, not to mention a wealth of visual design, from the most elaborate themes and styles "for steampunk" to outright minimalism with one console and desktop background table).

The argument "for": No Virus

Remember that it is necessary immediately to look for a new PC or laptop? Correct: antivirus. Yes, and it is desirable such that the databases are updated several times a year and as often as possible ( "virus writers" are not asleep and regularly supply the market with malware more and more servings of malware, "Trojan horses" and other software evil). A good antivirus should - right! - money. And, often not less than the OS itself. And it does not guarantee that the opening of the next installation file or the file will not make you a "surprise" in the form of still does not recognize your Antivirus infection. For me, at the time the situation was repeated several times with a viral infection of the working notebook has become a key stimulus for the transition to Ubuntu (what has not ever regret). Configure Firewall and access rights to the "guest" session, I do not know the third year of such problems as virus attack, unauthorized access to networks and the documents or the loss of important files due to virus infection.

The argument "against": An unknown system is not for everyone "in the teeth"

Leave aside the "religious" people are that persistent ideological beliefs interfere Change commitment to Windows / OS X, at least temporarily to something else. Referring to larger masses. So, the problem is that often, if it is the first notebook in the life of the user, and there are a number who be able to explain, show and tell (and something else, and to properly configure and update), then with Linux no problem arise. But such men as practice shows, among buyers of laptops is still not enough: those who are already faced with the "windows" and used to it, will look familiar and the familiar. In this they are not to blame: the man in general tend to follow the path of least resistance :) Not everyone has the time and patience just to try new things. So these people have to pay more for a laptop - that's all.

The argument "against": Specific tasks

1C, Quark Express, billing systems, 3D-rendering, professional photo editing and video "Heavy" editors, trading on the stock exchanges - something of the above applies to your work? Then with high probability a laptop with Linux, you will not do. Alas, not all developers producing versions of their packages, programs and platforms for Ubuntu and similar distributions. But at 99% there are versions for Windows and Mac OS. In addition, in the category of those who did not fit the laptop based on open operating system, and get professional gamers: yes, there is the promise of Steam and Valve to release some of the popular games in the version for Linux; there Play2Linux and Crossover, allowing to run many of the good old command shooter, strategy, quests and under Linux, but a full-fledged "hardcore" experience of professional players in the world this OS, unfortunately, does not give can. So if you - an accountant, investment analyst, architect, video operator, the player in Half-Life, and FIFA, the customs broker or employee tax, most likely a laptop with Linux, you not useful (or after the purchase will not buy the Windows yourself, set, configure, etc. - and therefore, it is to spend money, time, energy, nerves, etc., etc.).

These are the arguments "for" and "against" the purchase of a laptop with a free operating system, I was able to recall from personal experience. It would be interesting to hear the comments and other examples of who fit / not fit a laptop with Linux as the primary operating system.