Ubuntu vs Windows Differences and Comparisons | Which is Better?

Ubuntu vs Windows is one of the hot topics in recent times. Today we are going to elucidate the features, functionality, pros, and cons of these operating systems before you and compare them head-to-head. Which is better?

Ubuntu vs Windows Which is better?

Ubuntu and Windows are some of the most famous operating systems on which most of our computer systems depend upon for their functioning.

Today we are going to elucidate the features, functionality, the pros, and cons of these operating systems before you and compare them head-to-head on the basis of the above-mentioned points, i.e., Ubuntu vs Windows. Which is better?

Ubuntu and Windows like other operating systems are programmed to manage your computer hardware, software sources and provide common services for computer programs.

Famous operating systems other than Ubuntu vs Windows are Apple macOS, Google’s Android OS, Linux Operating System, and Apple IOS.

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Windows

Windows has come out to be one of the most popular and desired and famous operating systems. It was developed in the year 1985 and was named Microsoft Windows. But it was commonly called Windows. It has undergone a lot of changes and updates all over the years, improving version by version.

All the updates and new versions of windows have gradually improved the interface with new features, and now it is compatible with almost all of the famous software in every field of career and computing.

The latest version launched by Microsoft Windows is Windows 11. Other famous versions of windows are as follows- Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and many more.

Features:

Some of the salient features of the Windows Operating System are:

1. Protected and supervisor mode.
2. Allows disk access and file systems Device drivers Networking Security.
3. Program Execution.
4. Memory management Virtual Memory Multitasking.
5. Handling I/O operations.
6. Manipulation of the file system.
7. Error Detection and handling.
8. Resource allocation.

PROS:

1. Easy to use and has user friendly interface.
2. Most compatible with almost of the softwares and applications available.
3. Easy availability.
4. Backwards compatibility.
5. Error details available in easy language for the ones who are not much technically sound.
6. Easy installation process.

CONS:

1. Each version of Windows operating systems is a paid one.
2. High risk of programmer assaults.
3. If framework turns out to be delaying a certain execution command, you will be needing to reboot it.
4. Requires a great deal of hard drive space and high consumption of RAM.
5. A very few personalization options available.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a modern, open-source operating system software. It belongs to the Linux family. It was developed by Canonical Ltd. Ubuntu is officially released in three editions – desktop, server, and core (for the internet of things and robots).

All of the editions of Ubuntu can be run on the computer alone and on a virtual machine. It is mostly used for enterprise servers, desktops, the cloud, and IoT.

Elementary OS Desktop.

Zorin OS Desktop.

Pop!_OS Desktop.

LXLE Linux.

Kubuntu Linux.

Lubuntu Linux.

Xubuntu Linux Desktop.

All of the versions have been gradually improving and have been providing a quality tech interface to its users.

The latest version of Ubuntu is Ubuntu 21.04 (Hirsute Hippo) / 22 April 2021, and it was initially released as Ubuntu 4.10 (Warty Warthog) / 20 October 2004.

FEATURES:

1. Office software.
2. An open-source operating system
3. Web browsing.
4. Email
5. Photos
6. Videos
7. A whole world of apps
8. Backed by Canonical
9.  No Antivirus
10. Hardware autoconfiguration
11. Software Repositories
12. Multiple desktops
13. ssh client

PROS:

1. Free and open-source software
2. User friendly interface
3. Ubuntu has low system requirements as compared to windows
4. Ubuntu has a lot of free softwares available at its software centre.
5. Easy installation process
6. Ubuntu is 100% immune from viruses as it has an inbuilt antivirus.

CONS:

1. Does not support Microsoft Office which is most common office software amongst the masses.
2. Users have to be very much technically sound to use its interface.
3. Ubuntu’s support to some softwares does not match the level of support that Windows provides to the same softwares.

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Head On Comparison Ubuntu vs Windows

Now, here we are going to compare the above-mentioned operating systems on the basis of the following aspects.

1. Price
2. Safety
3. System requirements
4. Privacy
5. Personalization options
6. Hardware Requirements and Resource Suitability
7. Ease of Operation
8. User preferences
9. Updates
10. Other aspects

Price

If we talk about the pricing aspect of both the operating software, Ubuntu has a slight edge over the Windows operating systems.

Windows is a paid software and users are required to pay for every version that users need to upgrade. Windows 10, which is one of the most famous versions of Microsoft Windows costs about $119.99 for home and personal use and $199.99 for professional use.

Whereas, on the other hand, Ubuntu is completely free to use the software.

Both of the software’s are open-source, which means users can get the source codes of these operating software so that they can understand their working mechanisms.

Safety

Like most Linux-based software Ubuntu is safer as compared to Windows.

Windows users need to buy separate antivirus software and renew their licenses annually. External software and applications only require permission to make changes in the system thereby making it more vulnerable to virus attacks and software demolitions.

Whereas, Ubuntu has inbuilt protection as any external software requires a password to make changes in the system, thereby eliminating almost all kinds of malware and antiviruses.

System Requirements

System requirements for the latest version of Windows, i.e., Windows 11 are as follows:

It requires a processor of 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).

It requires a memory of 4 GB i.e., a minimum of 4 GB RAM.

It requires the storage of 64 GB or higher if available.

System firmware supported is UEFI, Secure Boot capable.

TPM: Trusted Platform Module version 2.0

Graphics card required is DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x

System requirements for the latest version of Ubuntu, i.e., Ubuntu 21.04 are as follows:

2 GHz dual-core processor.

4 GB RAM (system memory)

25 GB (8.6 GB for minimal) of hard-drive space (or USB stick, memory card, or external drive but see Live CD for an alternative approach)

VGA is capable of 1024×768 screen resolution.

Either a CD/DVD drive or a USB port for the installer media.

Privacy

Talking about privacy Ubuntu has an edge over Windows for being centered on privacy. Sensitive data of users is not collected by software belonging to the Linux family. Users also have an option to disable any such features which they believe are posing a threat to their privacy.

On the other hand, Windows is not as much privacy-centered as compared to Ubuntu. Most of the features that can pose a significant threat to the user’s privacy cannot be disabled.

Personalization Options

Windows provides its users with a very limited number of personalization options. On one hand personalization options available at Windows are mainly focused on wallpapers, themes, and icons. On the other hand, Ubuntu provides comparatively a larger option for personalization to its users.

Hardware Requirements and Resource suitability

Windows appeals to a greater amount of audience as it is suitable for most of the applications, software, and hardware.

In the case of Windows, for the installation of its latest version, all the drivers of the computers should be updated. The latest versions of Windows are not suitable for drivers installed in an old computer system.

In the case of Ubuntu, there is no need to upgrade them.

Windows also has a higher consumption of resources as compared to Ubuntu.

Ease of Operation

When we talk about the ease of operation, Windows Operating System has a slight edge over Ubuntu Operating System.

Windows users depend a lot on hardware like keyboard and mouse for various operations and they can operate in a graphical interface. This makes it very easy for beginners or amateurs to operate it. Hence Windows has a beginner-friendly interface.

In Ubuntu, users can carry out operations using just a keyboard only. Ubuntu has both a graphical interface as well as a command-line operation interface. Users may need some assistance to start operations, hence Ubuntu requires users to be Technically sound. 

User Preferences

Windows Operating System is generally preferred by regular users. It is completely suitable for programming. It also supports entertainment purposes, as it supports applications like media players and audio players. It is also suitable for gaming.

Ubuntu operating system, on the other hand, is not meant for gaming and entertainment purposes. It is usually preferred by developers. It is also not very much suitable for programming purposes as it has compatibility issues.

Updates

In the case of Windows, users are required to update their drivers and system very frequently. They also receive pop-up messages urging them to update the software again and again. These updates take time and require the system to restart after they are completed.

On the other hand, System updates of the Ubuntu Operating System are really very quick and easy.

Other Aspects

Other aspects of Ubuntu vs Windows include

1. Double click features: unlike Windows, there is no double click feature available in Ubuntu Operating System.
2. Virtual assistant: Windows has a virtual assistant named Cortana, whereas Ubuntu Operating System has none.
3. Interface: Windows has only Graphical User Interface i.e., GUI, whereas Ubuntu Operating System has both Graphical User Interface and command line operation interface.
4. MS Office: MS Office works well in windows but not to a greater extent in Ubuntu Operating System.
5. Booting Speed: Booting speed of Windows Operating System is good and Ubuntu Operating System offers even a greater speed for booting
6. Installation: unlike Windows Operating System, whose installation in system is required for its use by the user, Ubuntu operating system can be used and accessed with the help of a pen drive only.

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We have also drawn a tabular comparison table in order to make you understand better the differences and comparisons between Ubuntu vs Windows

Comparison Criteria	Windows 11 Operating System	Ubuntu Operating System
Price	$ 119.9 for personal and home use, and $ 199.99 for professional use	Free
Operating System Family	Microsoft Windows	Linux
Latest Version	Windows 11	Ubuntu 21.04
Security	Common Virus attacks	Virus attacks are not common
Antivirus	Needs to be installed and bought	Inbuilt
Updates	Frequent updates and time consuming	Simple and quick
Virtual Assistant	Cortana	None
Interface	GUI Graphical User Interface	Both GUI and Command line operation
Entertainment support	Supports movies and music	Not for entertainment purposes
Gaming support	available	N A
Booting Speed	Good	Faster than Windows
MS Office	Works Well	Does not work well
Programming	Supported	Not supported much
Developer Preferences	Not preferred	Preferred
Kernel type	Hybrid	Monolithic
Ease of operation	Beginner-friendly	Not beginner-friendly
Processor	2 GHZ	2 GHZ
RAM	4 GB (for 64 bits)	2 GB
Hard disk	25 GB	25 GB
Screen Resolution	1024 X 768 pixels output resolution	1024 X 768 screen resolution
Libraries	Included in the installation package	Not included in the installation package

Conclusion

Ubuntu and Windows, both are of the best and one of the most famous operating systems available at the present time in the market. Both have their own pros, cons, features, and functionality. We have undergone deep research on all the comparison criteria and aspects on the basis of which we have drawn a full-fledged comparison.

Now, it is totally dependent on the users, that which Operating system is chosen by them. On the basis of the above explanation, they can know that which of the above-mentioned software full fills their purpose to a higher extent.

And it is very important for one to keep in mind the costs, privacy, safety, system requirements, and their purpose in mind before choosing either of the ones.

Though they are from different software system families, their main function was and is to adhere to their users in the best possible way. All of their updates and changes have gradually made their technical interface better and better.

FAQs