I've debated whether I should buy a new, mainstream laptop for the past year in preparation for university. It’s now 2 weeks until move in, and I decided (for now) to stick with the trusty 2015 Dell laptop running various Linux distros over the past six years (of course, I've been back with Ubuntu for the past few years). Here's some reasons why
- coding experience
I enjoy coding, and on Ubuntu it's straightforward and powerful, better than my experiences on Windows or Mac. Everything works out of the box, and you can also get more speed for advanced tasks like training ML models.
- open source
Ubuntu is open source, and that means freedom: no locked-down ecosystems, forced updates, or mandatory payment. I can tweak and customize my setup exactly how I want (ricing coming soon!).
- cross platform support
I've never had an issue with required programs. Basically any windows program can be run with WINE. And the LibreOffice Suite is great, but you can always dual boot as well.
- why ubuntu
Ubuntu is stable, easy to use, and doesn’t require constant configuration. I dual booted Kali for cybersecurity stuff, but for everything else, Ubuntu wins.
- freedom
With Ubuntu, I can do whatever I need. Change desktop environments, run custom scripts, or mess with system settings—it’s all possible.
I've spent considerable time on non-linux systems throughout the years in jobs, libraries, and volunteering. Nothing compares to the ease and freedom of ubuntu.