Those eager for a taste can download a developer preview version on Thursday. - See more at: http://www.computerworld.com/s.....I7wUp.dpuf
Poster's Comment.
Hopefully finally getting some where here without Windows 8.
How-To Geek Forums / Linux
Canonical previews Ubuntu Linux for tablets
(18 posts)
The OEM UEFI Bioses WITHOUT Complete Settings is the problem with Windows 8 and running multiple O/Ses.
Now only Builder Machines which have Complete UEFI Bios Settings are easy to setup with multiple O/Ses.
Folks purchasing new OEM Laptops and such running Windows 8 are in for a "bevy" of problems so best keep their warranty information handy and safe.
Multiple OSes can still be run if you go virtual. I am currently running Win8, Zorin, Mint and Ubuntu - all in virtual on one Win7 host. The same can be done on a Win8 host. There is quasi no performance impact with VMware Player - provided you run from a SSD. Even running from an external SSD via USB3 is the same. And it is so much easier because there is no impact on your host system or your file system. The virtual machine is just a folder with a bunch of subfolders on your host.
If anybody wants to know how to set it up, let me know.
I warn those who want to try Ubuntu. The new Ubuntu with the Unity interface is a real mess (in my book). I had used Ubuntu a couple of years ago with no problems. But with Unity, I am completely discombobulated.
Rick, the CPU is no problem - an i3 is fine. As for RAM, anything above 3GB will work well, especially with Linux since you need only 1GB for a virtual Linux. But most systems today come with 4GB minimum anyhow. So there should be no problem.
The more critical resource is the disk. A 5400 RPM spinner will not do very well - unless you are patient. SSD is the way to go.
warlock, I have 7 systems - all OEM. 2xHP, 2xDell, 2xGateway, 1xToshiba. But they all have SSDs. They are distributed over 3 homes though. So I don't use all of them all the time and the laptops are mostely used by my wife. My main systems that I use are the Dell desktops.
PS: You can put multiple systems on any PC. A Linux distro takes 6 to 8GB of disk space. That is about all you need - on a fast disk if possible.
For anybody who is interested in setting up a virtual system I can only encourage you. It is a 1 hour job. Most of the time is needed for downloading VMware Player and a Linuc distro. I would start with Zorin because it is easy to understand for a Windows user, it is not too big and very fast when you use it.
Here is a tutorial on how to set it up. I bet you will love it.
If you are not yet convinced, watch my little demo.
Rick, what is the big deal. Buy a $500 laptop, spend an extra $100 to $120 for a 120GB SSD and put that in and you are in business. I have a Toshiba laptop with an i5 and 6GB of RAM like that. Works great. Even has a USB3 port for my HDD that I recovered when I put the SSD in.
