Why Install Ubuntu?

 

Ubuntu is an operating system for computers similar to Windows or macOS. Many programmers and IT professionals have it installed on their computers.

In this article, we’ll explore three reasons why you should try Ubuntu as a primary or secondary operating system.

What is Ubuntu, what is Linux, and how are they connected?

So, let’s talk about the Linux operating system. An operating system, or OS, creates a virtual layer between the user, the computer hardware, and programs. Like any other OS, Linux enables its users to manage files, run software, and do all the tasks we use our computers for.

A huge number of servers, smartphones, and computers all around the world run on different versions of Linux and by various estimates, 70 to 90% of servers in the world use it. Linux is appreciated for its flexibility, speed, the depth of customization available, and the fact that it’s open source.

Many software distributions are variations of Linux. A distribution (commonly abbreviated as “distro”) is like a combo meal: it may include the operating system itself, some set of programs and drivers, a graphical shell, maybe even games. For example, in the Linux distribution called Raspbian, programming environments come installed by default. This distro is usually installed on minicomputers running the Raspberry Pi OS.

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution aimed at ordinary users who need to do simple daily tasks. Therefore, it comes bundled with a graphical user interface and office programs.

You can download it here: ubuntu.com/download

Reason #1. We can revive an old PC

The older your computer, the harder it is to use modern operating systems on it.

For example, antivirus and firewall software are responsible for security in Windows, but these programs also reduce the performance of the operating system itself. If the hardware is very old, for example, a decade or more, it can be difficult to find enough free resources just for internet browsing. To have a smoother user experience, one would have to turn off these protections.

macOS is faster and more secure, but newer versions of it are not supported on older computers. This lack of support means that there is no way to get modern versions of many applications, even if the computer is capable of running them.

Here’s an example. The oldest version of macOS that can run a modern version of Photoshop is High Sierra, released in 2017. The oldest computer that allows installing High Sierra is the Late 2009 MacBook. If you have a 2008 computer, modern Photoshop won’t work, even if the computer’s specs can still handle the job.

Ubuntu is protected at the architectural level, and Ubuntu users tend to feel secure without running antivirus software. However, as with any OS, there are vulnerabilities in Linux, so it’s best not to be complacent.

The latest version of Ubuntu will run on any computer that has enough resources to install it, without any restrictions. Here are the recommended minimum requirements:

• Processor: 2 GHz dual-core
• RAM: 4 GB
• Free space: 25 GB. You can use a hard drive, memory card, external drive, or USB flash drive. Yes, you can run Ubuntu on a flash drive!
• Video card: any card with supported drivers
• Screen resolution: 1024 × 768
• Internet access: broadband connection is preferable

We’ve looked at the system requirements for Ubuntu 20.04, the latest release, and the main distribution that will be supported until April 2025. If your PC doesn’t meet the minimum requirements for it, look instead for editions designed for older processors. For example, the LUBUNTU system requires only 512 MB of RAM and can run even on AMD K8, Pentium M, and Pentium 4 processors. Wow, we can revive our childhood computers!

Because Ubuntu takes very little storage space, you can install it as an additional operating system along with Windows or macOS. Once it’s installed, you can select the system when turning on your PC. You don’t need to delete or transfer anything. If you don’t like it, you can’t easily remove it and continue using your old system.

Reason #2. Free OS and software

Windows is a paid operating system that requires a license key to function correctly. Usually, when you buy a computer, it already has Windows installed. Remember that the price of a computer includes a Windows license.

On the other hand, macOS is free, but the only way to get an official version is to purchase an Apple computer. Software for both Windows and macOS is partially free, but you have to pay for all specialized programs.

But Ubuntu and all related software are free products that will remain free for regular users. This is in keeping with the philosophy of the project’s founder, Mark Shuttleworth, and it’s investors. Ubuntu Linux is owned by Canonical, a commercial cloud and IoT development company for large companies.

Ubuntu has a built-in free application store like App Store or Google Play. The choice is not really that diverse, but you can find analogs for many popular Windows/macOS programs, as well as a select number of programs which work across multiple operating systems.

Reason #3. Great way to expand your IT horizons and start using the terminal

The Linux operating system is used in routers, Android smartphones, NAS servers, household appliances, industrial equipment, and many other devices. Therefore, if you are planning a career in the IT industry, knowledge of Linux nicely compliments the other professional skills on your resume. To prove it, let’s have a look at some jobs on LinkedIn. At the time of writing, there are 72,648 jobs for Linux specialists in the US alone. Looks like the world needs more linuxoids!

For a programmer, the value of Ubuntu Linux lies in the terminal, also known as the command-line interface (CLI). It is a control center that interacts with the operating system without a graphical user interface (GUI). You simply type commands (no mouse necessary), and the machine executes them directly, quickly, and efficiently. It may seem a bit strange at first, but you’ll soon see this is the best way to control a computer.

The terminal is indispensable when performing large tasks, such as testing a program for vulnerabilities. It would take a while to navigate the operating system interface, but the terminal is an all-in-one tool. You just need to specify a set of commands to carry out the tests.

Suppose we need to find out the full name of the operating system and data about the processor. We open the terminal, enter the commands “uname — a” and “lscpu” and get the result. In a similar way, you can manage all processes of the Ubuntu operating system.

How to install Ubuntu

There are 3 installation steps:

1. Go to Ubuntu.com and download the latest version of the system. There, you can also find the technical documentation and user forums containing many topics on how Ubuntu works.
2. Burn the Ubuntu Linux ISO image to an empty USB flash drive. Use Rufus or similar software to do so. A USB with at least 4GB of free space will be enough.
3. Insert your freshly made bootable USB into the computer and reboot your computer. Different manufacturers have different keys to get into the boot menu. As a rule, you can hold down the F2 key (PC) or Option key(macOS) immediately after turning on the computer in order to boot from the USB flash drive and start installing Ubuntu. If that doesn’t work, search for “How to boot from a USB flash drive” for your specific computer brand and model.

Ubuntu Linux is installed using a setup wizard where you simply need to select your language and follow the suggested commands. The whole process takes about 10 minutes. Important: do not remove your old operating system until you try out Ubuntu. If you don’t like it, you can quickly restore everything as it was before. You can find the necessary instructions on the forum.

Five cases when Ubuntu comes in handy

• Reviving old computers of parents and distant relatives. Simply install Ubuntu and all the necessary programs from the app store and forget about any problems. Simply install Ubuntu, then install all the necessary programs from the Software Center. The graphical interface on Ubuntu is very similar to Windows — but, as an added benefit, you won’t have to worry about computer viruses. Your gran is going to be glad.
• Setting up our own workstation on a USB drive. Install Ubuntu on your USB drive and customize it for your tasks. Effectively, this USB drive is now your computer! Insert the USB drive into any computer and boot from the USB to get all the programs you need as well as your accounts and passwords, bookmarks, and documents.
• Setting up a home server. If you want to experiment with web technologies, you can take an old computer, install Ubuntu on it, and deploy a fully-fledged server on it for your tasks. Such a server can be used for databases or chat bots.
• School, university, and business. Linux, and Ubuntu in particular, are very useful for work and education. That’s because it’s free, provides all the basic programs, it can run on aging or inexpensive hardware, and it’s easily installed and maintained.
• Or just whenever. Because in the words of Linux creator Linus Torvalds, “All operating systems suck, but Linux just sucks less.”

Installing Ubuntu is easy and can be an enlightening experience for first-timers. If you enjoyed this brief tour into the world of Linux and Ubuntu, maybe it’s time to install some new knowledge?

At Practicum, we offer online education and mentorship to help you develop a career in tech, and allow you to take a delve deeply into interesting topics like this one in an awesome and supportive environment.