Help/Convince me...

[geniuz]

Dear forumfriends...

As of monday next week my freshman year at a technical university will start...
Now I have a problem...my PC is running linux ONLY since about 2 years, and it's really a pleasure to use it. I haven't used it for much more then coding some stuff, playing music, downloading from usenet and writing a few documents for school. That's about to change...

I'm afraid I'll have to use my PC for much more things in the near future (AutoCAD and stuff like that). And I don't think I'll have the time nor effort to learn/find different programs then the ones school offers me. Now I do have a MacBook, which I will use for making most of my documents and presentations. I delibaratly choose a MacBook because of it's size and because it comes with the best OS ever (OS X 10.5) so I won't have to worry about virus/malware infections when using the school network. But my MacBook obviously isn't made for AutoCAD because of it's small screen (only 13.3"). Although I plan doing most school stuff on my MacBook.

I honestly feel like Linux and Windows XP are pulling a rope in my head, I just can't make a choice at the moment, and I only have less then a week left
Does Windows XP really s*ck that bad ?

So can some of you please help me with this and give some advice what would be the best choice in my situation ?
BTW: A dual boot isn't really an option, I just want one OS installed...

[carlosponti]

could always go the vmware route. I personally dont think one should reserve to one or the other if you have apps from both. another thing is at school you will have access to a computer lab with the apps you use in your classes most likely. so use linux on your pc and use windows on theirs. I used the tools at school because I didnt have the funds or desire to install it on home pc's. XP is for right now the best windows OS out there if updated and ran securely. I just like linux at home more and so I dont use XP my wife on the other hand has a dual boot XP/Ubuntu PC.

[IsaacKuo]

I recommend that you dual boot.

Since you're starting at a technical university, I deduce that in some years when you graduate you will be looking for a technical job. When you do, you will not be given a choice about what operating system to use at work. You must use whatever software your employer tells you do use.

In my opinion, you shouldn't limit your future options by avoiding either Windows or Linux. Keep experience in both.

Experiment with WINE to see if you can get AutoCAD and other Windows applications in Linux--but don't depend on it for your schoolwork! Experience with this sort of thing may impress your teachers and employers later on.

[geniuz]

could always go the vmware route. I personally dont think one should reserve to one or the other if you have apps from both. another thing is at school you will have access to a computer lab with the apps you use in your classes most likely. so use linux on your pc and use windows on theirs. I used the tools at school because I didnt have the funds or desire to install it on home pc's. XP is for right now the best windows OS out there is updated and ran securely. I just like linux at home more and so I dont use XP my wife on the other hand has a dual boot XP/Ubuntu PC.

Thanks for your input !

I know VMware, But I personally don't believe my PC is powerfull enough for it...I'd be doing a lot of AutoCAD and 3D work.
And isn't it a bit weird ? I'd be using VMware mostly I think...I just don't know whether and how much work would have to be done on my PC, I plan of writing documents and presentations all on my MacBook because of it's speed and stability, but wouldn't XP be easier to have on my PC in case I suddenly need a bit heavier application for school ?

The campus PC's aren't really an option, there are a LOT more students then PC's in our campus, that's why a notebook is advised...besides I wouldn't like to spend extra hours doing my homework @ school.

[geniuz]

I recommend that you dual boot.

Since you're starting at a technical university, I deduce that in some years when you graduate you will be looking for a technical job. When you do, you will not be given a choice about what operating system to use at work. You must use whatever software your employer tells you do use.

In my opinion, you shouldn't limit your future options by avoiding either Windows or Linux. Keep experience in both.

Experiment with WINE to see if you can get AutoCAD and other Windows applications in Linux--but don't depend on it for your schoolwork! Experience with this sort of thing may impress your teachers and employers later on.

Thanks for your input !

I did a lot of research, and as you say, I can't really depend on WINE, besides the performance would be just terrible...on the other hand you are right about the experience...I allready know a lot about using linux and I won't forget that. But if I dual boot, I'd have to say I'd be afraid I would only boot into Windows...face it, I will be VERY busy and won't have a lot of free time on hand. All I do in linux NOW, I will be able to do in Windows too. So I'd think it'll be stupid to just boot into linux for listening my music and browsing the web and stuff like that (although I enjoy using linux more then windows), I think I would be simply to lazy for that. The main reason I use linux now is because it feels more stable and I can customize it to my needs without to much trouble, I never had any real problems with virusses and malware and other issues in Windows though...

[carlosponti]

vmware doesnt support 3d acceleration anyways so that is out. you will find that if you dont have the pc to support vmware that you are going to have a slowdown running those apps anyway. I would say stick with dual boot. Is there a reason for your opposition to doing that?

[geniuz]

vmware doesnt support 3d acceleration anyways so that is out. you will find that if you dont have the pc to support vmware that you are going to have a slowdown running those apps anyway. I would say stick with dual boot. Is there a reason for your opposition to doing that?

Like I said...I'd be afraid I just be booting into linux very little and would mainly be using Windows because I'd need it most of the time. And I can do everything I do in linux in Windows too, I just love linux because of it's stability and ease of customizing. Windows cannot and will not ever be a match to that. Linux is just a lot more fun to use.

My issue now is just whether it is more wise/easy to switch to XP for school.

[elija]

I would dual boot also.

From a purely personal perspective, I have to use XP at work and it is truly a pleasure to get back to Workbench (Shiny XUbuntu) when I get home

[Freston]

Yeah, dual boot. Unless this is any help??

[Jonathan183]

Dual boot - Windows for Autocad and other application you need to run which you have provided, Linux for net access and everything else