Ubuntu is a free and open source operating system for your PC. It is powered by Linux, whose robust technology operates millions of servers worldwide. But, of all of the versions of Linux on the market, Ubuntu is the most important thanks to its ease of use and the number of applications available for it.
The result of all this power, flexibility, and usability? Ubuntu is the best alternative out there to Windows.
Rivaling Windows
Comparing Windows and Ubuntu is hard to avoid: both systems aspire to be your PC’s desktop and to provide you with a safe, stable, and rich work environment. But while Windows will cost you money, Ubuntu is free. Not only that, but its code is available to any and everyone who wants to create derivative systems.
To see how seriously Ubuntu has taken this duel with Windows you just have to look at its application “store” - the Ubuntu Software Center - from where you can download and install hundreds of free applications and games, as well as upgrade to newer versions. This range is thanks to the ten years of development behind Ubuntu, which has seen the number of available apps grow tremendously.
The standard installation of Ubuntu includes all of the applications and accessories needed to get started, exceeding Windows’ offering. The office suite LibreOffice, for example, has word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation functions, while the Firefox browser, optimized for Ubuntu, lets you surf the internet faster and safer.
From the side menu of Ubuntu, you can start searching your hard drive and favorite sites, while the file browser helps you move freely through folders and files. And from the Ubuntu panel settings you can configure all aspects of the system, from user accounts to wallpapers.
Compatible with most devices
The focus of many Linux systems is the console (or terminal), where you input commands. In Ubuntu, however, the console is a less prominent feature: you can open it from the Finder, but you can use Ubuntu and do most tasks without having to type commands – removing the need to understand the deeper technology or read technical documents.
Ubuntu’s easy to use desktop environment is the reason behind much of its popularity, with its sidebar icons and windows familiar to even novice PC users. Ubuntu is a pleasure to use, with many of its interface elements reminiscent of a Mac. The similarities between the two systems in terms of appearance and usability are considerable, but Ubuntu allows for more customization.
Above all, Ubuntu is a stable Linux system. It isn’t the lightest or the fastest (other Linux OS take this crown), but it does make sure that all your hardware works immediately after installation. It has excellent built in support for graphics cards, WiFi adapters, printers, keyboards, and other devices – ensuring fantastic performance.
It could be your next operating system
Ubuntu offers everything you need from a PC operating system: it is not only well designed with an abundance of applications, but also has an incredibly active and willing to help community for beginners. And if you are put off by its lack of programs and games, don’t worry: Wine (an open source software application) can help you run an ever increasing number of Windows programs.
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