The best student OS?

Question

I am a college student majoring in Math/Edu and I am working on a laptop. The laptop is a HP Pavilion dv8408us, Intel Centrino Duo 1.72 Ghz, 2Gb ram, 160GB HDD, nVidia Geforce Go 7600. I am currently running Vista with no problems (yet). I was running XP pro. I was wondering which OS would be best for being in college (especially high level Math). The choices are Vista, XP, Linux, Unix, Solaris, or others like kbuntu, ubuntu, daemon (or something?), etc.

Thanks,
Fauntix

Oh yeah I forgot... LET THE DEBATE BEGIN!!!!!

Answer 1

leapord os x or vista

Answer 2

XP or a Linux such as *buntu or Fedora Core.are the most stable. In addition, Linux began among people with engineering training, so you will find that there are many math programs available for it and Unix. The problem with Unix generally is the learning curve is too stiff. There is a learning curve with Fedora Core and the *buntus, but they don't bite you as hard and fast as FreeBSD or Solaris. Also Solaris is very demanding as an operating system. Something not true of FreeBSD or the *butntus.

Answer 3

The one already on the laptop unless you find there is something you can't do with it. This is especially true in the early years of college.



As you move up in the level of math you're doing there could be some advantages in Linux, but I'd wait to see what it is you're taught in class. At some point in high level math you may need to learn Latex to write papers with all those fun equations, but you can do that in windows too.



(By the way Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Debian (not daemon) and a whole lot of others are all distributions of the Linux OS. If you want to try them out, use the liveCD or setup a dual boot.)

Answer 4

While I usually agree with Lug, this time I must not. I think a good Linux would be perfectly acceptable.



I would say either Edubuntu or openSUSE. I've never used a Buntu but the openSUSE repositories have some interesting mathematical software.

Answer 5

For a no nonsense functional operating system then I would suggest Windows XP Pro. Its reliable and compatible with just about anything.



LUg.



Edit :

As much as I would like to suggest Ubuntu etc. I really do feel XP would be best for your requirements.



LUg.

Answer 6

Ubuntu or XP will do....

Have to say Ubuntu is still in development and not running too well on all systems.....but its free, so their goal is right.



Guess on vista there are to much visual christmas-bells....not needed for good performance.

Answer 7

xp would be the best if you want to be sure that you're compatible with the rest of the school's programs. the other os'es aren't popular enough - yet.