Windows 7 vs Linux: Can there be a game now?
By Angsuman Chakraborty, Gaea News NetworkMonday, June 1, 2009
People are saying that perhaps Microsoft has done things right for the first time in many years. Reason? Windows 7. Despite having seen different operating systems being launched every year, we don’t recall any Windows, Linux or Mac OS has had such popularity even before being launched, so many communities dedicated to the breaking news of a yet to be an official product and uncountable positives coming out in form of Microsoft’s relatively liberal approach and reviews of tech pundits. So what exactly does this signify? To be fair, Windows 7 deserves much of its credits because it really has proved to be far superior than the previous version of half baked Windows Vista. But the question is, will it affect the Linux community?
The Linux distros and admirers have made difference in mainly three areas:
- Maximum use of all the resources (memory and physical space)
- Have kept security tightened with no virus and no considerable security loophole
- open source.
While the third one is impossible, Windows 7 challenges Linux in the other two. Though being heavily featured and having awesome graphics, Windows 7 uses CPU negligibly, quite an improvement from Windows Vista and even Windows XP.
The security of Windows 7 is something that is significantly superior. We have already written a detailed article on it. And if you look at it, it sure doesn’t look Microsoft’s work, no?
So with two of the primary issues taken care of partially, will Linux community fear now about Windows 7 giving a tough time to the upcoming Linux Distros? We will have to wait and watch but sure you are entitled to agree/ disagree and leave your comment here. Here is a resourceful article from Information week about the same.
Tags: Microsoft's, Open Source, OS war, So what, Things, Windows 7 vs Linux
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September 9, 2009: 4:50 pm
It’s nice to see that competition with Linux (and mac) is pushing Microsoft at least. The fact that Microsoft is actually being forced to put some effort into their software rather than just relying on their eternal monopoly (for a change) can only be a good thing! |
 Andrius |
August 17, 2009: 9:09 am
Linux will still be free of charge so I won’t have to spend a dollar to legally use it for my SMB/home needs. |
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June 20, 2009: 2:57 am
this is good. At least Microsoft is doing such innovative things that will help their company to be on top. Hope they can keep it up! |
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June 3, 2009: 1:39 am
The part about Windows 7’s performance doesn’t match what testers have been saying. The Betas were apparently quicker than Vista, however the Release Candidate appears to run at about the same speed as Vista. The people who did the testing of course did not have access to the Windows source code, so it’s impossible to know why the Release Candidate is slower, but if the RTM runs at the same speed, Linux/BSD/Solaris distributions will retain an important performance advantage (as will Windows XP). In fact I’ve been considering resurrecting an older PC here, and dropping Windows 98 on it as a gaming machine. The machine in question originally had XP on it, and it should run 98 really fast, and I have a ton of old DOS games (Wing Commander anyone?) But for serious use, give me Linux. |
 oiaohm |
June 3, 2009: 12:41 am
You missed it. Windows 7 is X86 type processors only. Linux is not. So next wave of non X86 devices Windows 7 is dead man walking in the lower section of market. Come on when arm and mips devices are heading to the 100 USD mark that is the price range a lot of companies stick there brand on and give away and write off as advertisement MS has a problem. They are too expensive. We could see Linux based devices handed out like backpacks and other items from stores. Free. Just for being a good customer. |
 User |
June 2, 2009: 11:46 pm
“(of course, this is a matter of opinion) and is much easier in terms of managing it and operating (of course, while Ubuntu and other distros are scaling these barriers” I think they have already summited relative to OS-X and Window. Since as you pointed out it is matter of opinion, nothing in the commercial world, even the Apple Store, comes anywhere near to the convenience and ease of integration of package managers of linux, at least the two I have had experience with (Debian and RPM). Here the closed source world is playing serious catch-up. FTW free to me does not equate with cheap (as in quality), these package repositories are FULL of quality software. |
 JessicaD |
June 2, 2009: 11:10 pm
Soumya Sinha, Microsoft did make many changes in Windows 7 to ensure optimum performance for every user regardless of previous OS platform preference. For more information on how Windows 7 could benefit you and get your free copy of the Windows 7RC today head on over to Microsoft Springboard. Jessica |
 Chris |
June 2, 2009: 6:12 am
I see what you’re saying jkilgrow, but since Windows enjoys better, albeit commercial, software in general (of course, this is a matter of opinion) and is much easier in terms of managing it and operating (of course, while Ubuntu and other distros are scaling these barriers, it is nowhere near there yet), many of the disappointed Windows Vista users that switched to Linux instead of sticking with XP may move back over. Of course, I’ve always been pleased with Vista and have never really had any gripes with it, but that’s just me. |
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June 1, 2009: 3:30 pm
I don’t think Windows 7 will attract too many Linux users because most Linux distros still have one major advantage that Windows will never have and that is the open source usage. I know I won’t give up my penguin for Windows 7 no matter how great it is supposed to be. |
crade