Ubuntu MATE vs. Windows 7

[RobertX]

As most of you may already know, I have an aging PC that runs Windows 7 and that is 32-bits.

I know, I know, you want me to throw that out, but it still does well.

Just today, I found myself in a dilemma that either requires me to stay with what I got, which is Windows 7, or to Ubuntu MATE or another 32-bit Ubuntu-based distribution.

I know that it won't be a significant turn technology-wise, but if I can switch to a GNU/Linux machine while keeping the ability to encode my videos, the GNU/Linux option will actually still be an attractive turn.

Adding to that, I will also be reducing my Windows usage by a lot even if it is not complete.

What shall I do?

[theSEMAR]

doesn't matter what you will choose, windows or ubuntu, just add a good GPU card in your old PC and problem will solved

edit:

and you still can use your old PC with latest OS.

[RobertX]

I don't have a real use for a GPU card since the latest piece of technology that hangs on that motherboard is a PCIx1.

What the fuck am I going to do with that?

[RodneyYouPlonker]

Sorry Robert, I apologise in advance and I think you're a cool guy.  Just bin the thing, it's well past its sell by date.  Get rid and find a way to generate some funds to finance a new puter.  Until you do you'll always find it hard trying to decide what to do with it.  Sorry for saying this just being realistic and honest about the situation.

---

If it helps I have just scrapped a machine myself and I'm planning soon to get rid of it and take it to the correct place that you require to scrap machines in my local neighbourhood.  I had no bother stripping it down and getting rid it was 10 years old and it was time for the bin.  It was actually during the time of release the best CPU on the market for the socket that it was built around.  Now it is the best socket CPU for the bin and will be going there soon when I get around to it.  Puters is a hobby that costs some serious money, unless you do an Eagle and buy some cheap thing to stick Linux on, then if you're wanting some good stuff you'll be forced to pay a fortune just the way of the world I'm sorry mate, just get rid PCI-E 1 is ancient history.

Also just further to add, I know that everybody is different, if it was me in the same situation I would most certainly start with a new build.  I would also not bother with any form of Linux as it doesn't appeal to me at all.  I don't even care about a dual boot I would quite simply get a new machine, something nice with DDR4 ram most certainly a brand new PSU and solid state drive something really nice and roomy.  I usually buy certain brands that I like so I would stick to those if I'm honest.  I would only want Windows 10 64-bit and get nice roomy RAM also.  I would buy the system builders pack of Win10 and install that and use ShutUp10 to stop all the telemetry.  I would invest in a nice Anti Virus subscription again I have my favourites.

Myself I tend to put money away for the needs of a new machine and going with Linux is a complete no no for me I would avoid for many reasons.  I just like Windows 10 now I find it does everything I need it's very nice, I enjoy my time using Win10 I find it an absolute pleasure these days.  Also I always make sure to have a very nice VPN also running all the time so I can basically do whatever I want and visit whatever site I want.  See what I mean now?  Computers cost a fortune and to do all that it's a really expensive hobby like more expensive than your average.  I enjoy my hobby though it gives me massive pleasure.  In my situation and running the system I have has taken me years, my system is highly expensive and I enjoy.

[waregim]

I am writing this on a 15 year old machine that I have no intentions whatever of replacing soon. At least until the Chinese come out with decent CPU/Mobos. I trust nothing new from 5eyes.

That said, for desktops, simply add an extra HD and dual boot. Win and Lin - both indispensable, both different tools for different tasks.

Ubuntu? Meh.
Try Mint. And if adventurous, Debian Mint.

[RobertX]

Thanks guys for the advice.

I've decided to keep the thing.

I use it for burning DVDs and playing games.

Don't get me wrong, I would still like more discussion in this thread, so keep on posting!

It's just that even if I manage to sell it, there still won't be enough money to buy a new fucker. If I give it away, well, I'd be in a handicap and I won't be able to have the best of both worlds of two machines using two different operating systems.

See, with dual booting, I would have to restart the computer if I was to use something I need from another operating system, so that is why I keep both computers running with two operating systems. And I can LAN game with both.

Thank you for your comments and please, we all benefit if everyone speaks their minds. I might be motivated to switch back to my original thought.

---

No disrespect, RodneyYouPlonker, I guess I should have made it clear in my original post; I don't want to throw away my old computer, at least not yet. What I want to do is to squeeze out the last vestiges of usefulness out of it before I commit to buying.

You see, the thing does all right with burning movies/TV shows on DVDs as well as to play old 2000-ish games, and do general work onto it. Throwing it out would be suicide.

The dilemma I am having is if I should use another operating system, like a Ubuntu official flavour (i.e. I already use Linux Mint on one of the other computers that I own, and that does well too) because I've never used it before. The original flavour is out of the question since they ended 32-bit quicker than, say, the MATE redesign, even though the 32-bit support is already beheaded. The reason for the dilemma is that I want to use Windows as little as possible, and an obsolete flavour is an attractive option to me, even though I still want to author menus for custom-made DVDs to watch on my telly. and, also, play old games.

I know support is going down, but I've been using Windows 7 for some time now, and I still use it; it's good in that it can play DVDs on the Windows Media Player built into it (fuck the Windows 10 version!), and I can still do a lot of wicked stuff with it. Wacco! Wizard! Suffice it to say, Windows 7 is still very useful even after its expiry date. All the more, I can still pirate and yet, not have my machine die from a virus.

On the other hand, Windows 7 virtual machines on Pentium 4s running Ubuntu MATE are slow, so that shies me away from switching.

As I said before, I don't want to have to deal with dual-booting since I would have to jump between restarts to do one thing and miss the other completely, and I don't want to dedicate a portion of hard drive space to solve that problem and install equivalents of software like Libreoffice and the like.

This is why I have just made the decision to not switch to Ubuntu MATE 18.04.5, the last 32-bit Ubuntu MATE. Why fix what's not broken?

OK, more comments are welcome. I want everyone to pitch in to share their concerns and experiences. This is not just a thread for me, it's a thread for everyone who is trying to switch to GNU/Linux or did not like their choice are are regretting.

And have a safe and happy holiday! God knows that we need to be happy about something at this perilous time.

[theSEMAR]

I don't have a real use for a GPU card since the latest piece of technology that hangs on that motherboard is a PCIx1.

What the fuck am I going to do with that?

try amd/ati radeon hd 4550, 5570 or 7600 and problem solved!

edit:

you should read this: https://pirates-forum.org/Thread-PC-Buil...#pid311812

[RobertX]

theSEMAR, either you're not listening or I'm not making myself clear.

The lowest ATI Radeon HD 4550 is not a PCIEX x1 card and will not fit on that motherboard.

It's kind of rubbish as I can't use it.

EDIT: Either way, Merry Christmas friend!

[theSEMAR]

theSEMAR, either you're not listening or I'm not making myself clear.

The lowest ATI Radeon HD 4550 is not a PCIEX x1 card and will not fit on that motherboard.

It's kind of rubbish as I can't use it.

EDIT: Either way, Merry Christmas friend!

oh, i though it was a PCIEX x16 port, apologies for misunderstanding...

merry christmas and happy new year to you too my buddy

once again sorry, i guess my eyes need a glasses

[waregim]

I have an ancient XP machine side-by-side with the lil lady's Win7. The XP is great for torrents, and faster DLs than the adjacent Win7. It can also burn DVDs.
Age is no issue with machines these days. If they can do the jobs they are assigned, deprecating them is wastefulness.

I only 'upgraded' from Win2k when no browser would work with it anymore.

I like the idea of Win2k as a VM in Linux for burning DVDs. What software do you use (ImgBurn?). I do everything these days on UDF.