Linux vs Windows

Linux vs Windows 7

Posted at 4:16pm on Thursday August 20th 2009 (Posted originally by tuxradar.com)

It's something of a tradition that we pit the latest version of Windows against our trusty old operating system. This isn't because we want to raise the profile of Windows, or ignite further flamewars on which is better or worse. It's about understanding the market and understanding the competition. Microsoft Windows is by far the most dominant operating system on the planet, and as Linux users, we need to keep on top of new developments, new technologies and new ideas. This gives Linux the best possible chance to grow and remain relevant.

Performance

Windows 7

• Better at synthetic benchmarks.
• Faster transfer of large files.
• Final version likely to improve.
• Suspend/resume works!

Linux

• Faster booting.
• Less memory usage.
• Smaller install size.
• Broader hardware compatibility.

Desktop innovation

Windows 7

• Desktop search is well implemented and can go online.
• Media libraries can be pinned to the start menu and task bar.
• Jump lists can genuinely help improve efficiency.

Linux

• Nepomuk blurs the border between local and online.
• Gnome Do replaces the task bar entirely.
• Google's Desktop widgets now on Gnome and KDE.

Version comparison

Windows 7

• Starter: No Aero and no 64-bit.
• Home Basic: Developed for emerging markets.
• Home Premium: Standard edition including Aero and touch.
• Professional: Adds remote desktop and encrypted filesystem.
• Enterprise: Unix application support and volume licensing.
• Ultimate: As with enterprise, but for individual users.

Linux

• Starter: No Linux is this restrictive.
• Home Basic: Crunchbang or Ubuntu.
• Home Premium: For eye candy, try Mint or Kubuntu.
• Professional: Fedora offers encryption as an installation option.
• Enterprise: OpenSUSE should work well with Windows.
• Ultimate: No matter which Linux you choose, there's no restrictions.

PowerShell vs Bash

Windows 7

• Integrated scripting.
• You can type ls to get a directory listing!
• Syntax highlighting.
• Remote execution.

Linux

• 30 years of refinement.
• Used by almost every Linux distribution ever.
• Plenty of online help and documentation.
• Can be used to administer the entire system.

Who wins?

As you should be able to tell from the scope of the features we've discussed, Windows 7 marks a significant point of maturity in the development of Windows, and is what the much-maligned Vista should have been three years ago. There's still a distinct lack of innovation, but the improvements to system stability and performance are what's going to matter to most users. And most users of Windows are businesses. They're not interested in eye candy, Twitter integration and hardware acceleration. They just need Windows to be a sober working environment that doesn't get in the way of helping people work.

And this is where Linux can make a big difference. There's nothing in Windows 7 that Linux can't do, and in most cases, do it better. Our machines are quicker and more efficient. Our desktops are more innovative and less static. Our apps are more powerful, cheaper and less partisan, and Linux security has never been better. But best of all, we have complete control over the future of Linux, and it's success or failure at the hands of Windows 7 is in our hands.