So, I have this old netbook that my mom used to use... but found it too small. It used Win7 Starter, has an Atom processor and 2gb ram. (Toshiba NB505)
For the heck of it, I upgraded it to Win10. But I'm finding that, just like Win7 starter, it is a bit slow. (I know, that's what you get in this old netbooks).
I'm just wondering if anyone has experience comparing Win10 with Ubuntu in terms of how smooth the OS runs. It is not my main computer. And I'd be fine using it just to take with me when I don't need anything more powerful. I run pretty much... nothing on it other than web browser for email and maybe some web based doc writing (like google docs).
Would switching that little thing to Ubuntu be likely to provide a smoother experience? Or is it just to weak to be smooth at anything?
I'm just wondering if instead of "Windows 10 with Ubuntu" you might mean "Windows 10 Vs. Ubuntu?"
With any system with low recourses I think that Ubuntu would work much better. It's the best distribution to start with and it's very similar to windows. The only thing is just make sure you can run all of your apps/software with it but otherwise try it out with a live DVD.
If you like it then you can install it.
Jeff
Your 2GB of ram should be fine, but my personal experience seems to be that Windows 10 struggles on single-core CPUs like the Atom N455 that your netbook has. It doesn't run particularly well on my old Pentuim-M laptop, which should be faster than your netbook with the exception of 3D performance. I can't speak to Ubuntu, but Windows-wise I think Windows 7 would provide a smoother experience.
I usually use my desktop for most work/play. My regular laptop is a much larger machine that has some failing hardware.... not planning on getting a new laptop until early next year. I'm thinking of using this little netbook to tie me over and would really only need it for its web browser and probably some chrome based apps, which I'm sure run on Ubuntu.
Anyway, I think I'll give it a try to see how the machine handles Ubuntu. I really like Win10 so far on my desktop. But it might just be too much for the little guy to handle. :/
Have you considered Windows 8.1? It is a little bit more nimble than either 7 or 10. Performance is close between all three, but 8.1 appears to be 2 or 3% faster. I wouldn't choose 10 over 7 or 8 just for performance because there isn't much difference. I would choose based on features and what I like to do. If Ubuntu does everything you want to do better than Windows 7, 8.1 or 10 then that's what I would do. Like BunnyJ suggests, try the Ubuntu Live DVD and see for yourself before you make changes to the computer.Your 2GB of ram should be fine, but my personal experience seems to be that Windows 10 struggles on single-core CPUs like the Atom N455 that your netbook has. It doesn't run particularly well on my old Pentuim-M laptop, which should be faster than your netbook with the exception of 3D performance. I can't speak to Ubuntu, but Windows-wise I think Windows 7 would provide a smoother experience.
It can be a pretty big difference on older hardware, as I've mentioned. I'm still not entirely sure why, but it's possible MS has significantly optimised 10 for multi-core systems.I wouldn't choose 10 over 7 or 8 just for performance because there isn't much difference.
