Which one is faster, Windows 2000 or Linux?

Question

Heres my situation. I have this very sweet, but old laptop. It has pentium 233mhz, 64ram, 3.2gb. I want to get it going with an os so I can use it for internet and word processsing for school. I don't need any fancy programs on it or anything. I just need Wifi Pcmcia support, and it has a infered port which would be nice if it worked. Im not experienced with linux but I am willing to (try and) learn.

heres what I'm looking for:
1. Which one boots faster (if there is a certain type of linux which boots very quick, which one is it, and what does it compromise)
2. Which one will run faster on my computer
3. Which one will optimized the battery life better
4. with linux, will I be able to send files back and forth with my Windows computers?
5. Will I be able to have the following on linux: skype? AIM? a free webediter which uploades directly to FTP site (like dreamweaver), and where can i download programs for linux
6. Will I be able to use a pcmcia wifi card with linux?

Thank

Answer 1

Visit the LINUX for laptops website for best configurations:

http://www.linux-laptop.net/



You can look up your model and the flavor of LINUX being used and any tips or tricks regarding installation and configuration.



Windows 2000 would be slow - you could upgrade the memory but you might as well buy a new laptop. As for flavor of LINUX, I recommend http://www.ubuntu.com because the other LINUX distributions like Suse (owned by Novell) and RedHat have become bloated.

Answer 2

It is possible to cut Linux systems down to the bare bones if you need a faster system, for example by forgoing Gnome or KDE for a lighter window manager such as FVWM. You can transfer files back and forth using USB sticks/ floppies/ etc. assuming you use compatible programs on both machines. Skype is available, several IM programs for Linux (Gaim, Kopete, etc.) support AIM. IIRC, NVu directly upload files, though if you choose to use KDE, KDE apps can use files on FTP just as if they were local. You can get most programs you need direct from your distribution's CDs, and many more are at http://sourceforge.net . You'll have to look up compatibility for individual hardware items, but NDISWrapper covers many networking cards. Which will be overall faster is hard to say, it depends on what configuration you choose, what you are measuring, etc.

Answer 3

Windows 2000

Answer 4

I think I have the same grade laptop youhave, ok, linux would be faster on our laptop if you can get it to load it, with the processor and the memory youhave onboard I don't think xp will even allow you to try to install, linux would, dsl is good, so are the live versions.

Answer 5

suse linux 10.1

http://www.novell.com/products/suselinux/downloads/suse_linux/index.html



relly fast .download for free burn on to cd(r) then put it in the cd/dvd ,drive restart the pc & install & injoy

suse linux 10.1 , it is fast

Answer 6

i used to have windows 2000 and it sucked because it was old. i suggest get windows XP. thats the best.

Answer 7

depending which linux