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General Discussion

Posted by andy godley
andy godley
1,266 Points

Window 8.1 or Linux

I need to update my two xp pcs, do I buy 8.1 or Linux? and what software do I need to go with it?

8 Answers

Dustin Matlock
Dustin Matlock
33,856 Points
Dustin Matlock
Dustin Matlock
33,856 Points

It's hard to tell unless you can provide some system specs. Most likely with older PCs Linux would be more suitable, however, you might have to deal with things like: is your network card, graphics card, etc., going to work out of the box and are you savvy enough or willing to go through the steps to get it working?

Windows 8 System Requirements

  • Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2

  • RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)

  • Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

  • Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver

  • More details...

Ubuntu Desktop System Requirements

  • 700 MHz processor (about Intel Celeron or better)
  • 512 MiB RAM (system memory)
  • 5 GB of hard-drive space (or USB stick, memory card or external drive but see LiveCD for an alternative approach)
  • VGA capable of 1024x768 screen resolution
  • Either a CD/DVD drive or a USB port for the installer media
  • More details...

Be sure to check out the Hardware Support Guide. Really if it were me I'd build a Hackintosh so you can run Windows, Linux and OS X, all on a different partition or virtually if you like. For more information on that check out tonymacx86.

andy godley
andy godley
1,266 Points
andy godley
andy godley
1,266 Points

I'm going to try and setup both pcs with Linux Zorin server, I tried it with a demo and it works. Once installed i might have to pick your brains again, Do most web-designer use microsoft windows?

Dustin Matlock
Dustin Matlock
33,856 Points

I'd say a lot of web designers use Mac. So on Linux you wouldn't be able to run the Adobe suite, etc. without virtualization. There are probably a few that get by with alternatives though.

James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points
James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points

I'm not sure if most use Macs, however it's a popular choice and many highly visible designers use Macs.

Suffice it to say, Mac or Windows because that's what runs the Adobe suite and most other common software.

andy godley
andy godley
1,266 Points
andy godley
andy godley
1,266 Points

Thanks for your help...

Dustin Matlock
Dustin Matlock
33,856 Points
Dustin Matlock
Dustin Matlock
33,856 Points

If you're decided on Linux I think Linux Mint is good for people coming from Windows. Here's a list of web development tools on Linux. Adobe's open source code editor Brackets is on Linux as well.

Two more you'd be able to use on Linux.

James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points
James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points

All of that software is a great choice.

Jeff Busch
Jeff Busch
19,287 Points
Jeff Busch
Jeff Busch
19,287 Points

Debian Linux - free (Ubuntu was built from Debian)

LAMP - L_inux A_pache M_ySQL PHP

Gimp: GNU Image Manipulation Program. Some say as good as Adobe Photoshop and free.

kenton sweckard
PLUS
kenton sweckard
Courses Plus Student 862 Points
kenton sweckard
kenton sweckard
Courses Plus Student 862 Points

Can always add a dual boot sector so you can run both. Or set up a virtual server and again run both.

andy godley
andy godley
1,266 Points
andy godley
andy godley
1,266 Points

Let me ask the question in a different way. If you wanted to build a pc for web site building and design what would it have on it to help you.?

Dustin Matlock
Dustin Matlock
33,856 Points
Dustin Matlock
Dustin Matlock
33,856 Points

I put together a parts list which will work with every OS including OS X.

  • CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($126.00 @ Newegg)
  • CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
  • Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($101.98 @ SuperBiiz)
  • Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
  • Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon) +
  • Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
  • Power Supply: Corsair CSM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Amazon)
  • Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($38.57 @ Amazon)
  • Total: $554.42 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
  • —Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09

Also check out: Building a CustoMac: Buyer's Guide May 2014

Web / Design Apps for the Mac (There are already sufficient choices for Windows)