Laptop status after installation of Microsoft Windows XP

Professional and Ubuntu Breezy (20050921 build)

Hardware

Dell Inspiron 8600

– Intel 82855 chipset
– Intel PentiumM 1.4GHz
– Nvidia GeForce FX 5200Go
– Intel ICH4 modem (Connexant chip)
– Broadcom BCM4401 100Base-T
– Intel Pro/Wireless 2200B/G
– Texas Instruments PCI4510 PCMCIA bus
– Intel ICH4 audio chip
– UHCI/EHCI (USB1.1 and USB2)
– Texas Instruments PCI4150 IEEE-1394 (Firewire)
– ALPS touchpad
– 6 multimedia keys on keyboard

Intro

From my previus experience I knew I have to install Windows before

Linux, since Windows installation doesn't recognize non-Windows operating
system, egxsisting on computer. It should be known that Breezy installation I
used was development build from 21/09/2005.

It's true, I do develop and package software for Ubuntu and it's true I
might not be quite fair in this testing. That's why I won't give any conclusions,
but only facts.

Microsoft Windows XP

Classic Windows installer starts right after choosing to boto from CD. It
copies all the files that will be needed when real installer kicks in. Installer is
easy to follow and it doesn't ask too many questions. If you do many Windows
installations as I did, you will know that Windows installer adopts to
recognized hardware. But, even tough it was quite easy, it did have some
gaps. Non-english speeking users would have problems, since installer is
english-only. After partitioning the disk, wich was quite easy, and a reboot, I
got to the part of choosing my keyboard layout and locations. Now, this is very
tricky part.

I decided to choose English layout for keyboard, even tough I'm from
Croatia. But I really wanted for system to know that I'm located in Croatia and
I would love to have my locales set-up. So, that's why there is another button
to choose locales. Even if I did choose Croatian locales (currency, time & date
display, etc.), on other tab I had to choose Croatia again as a location. This is
just to many clicks to just setup locales...

Now I get to 'time zone' questions. Even tough I told Windows that I'm
in Croatia and that I would love Croatian locales, installer suggested Pacific
timezone. Why? Wasn't it obvius that I'm in Croatia and I would like to use
timezone in Croatia? We have only one timezone in Croatia. Well, I had to
make a search for Zagreb and choose it on the list. By the way, on the list
were couple of “-1” timezones. Why? There is only one “-1” zone. This can be
quite confusing if your city isn't listed.

Then questions about workgroup and computer name. I understand

default workgroup as WORKGROUP, but I don't understand computer name.
What's with QER23456Z? For people is better to be quiet if they don't have
anything smart to say. Why isn't this a rule for computers too? And, I don't
understand one more thing. How can I setup my workgroup if I didn't setup
my internet connection yet?

Well, ok. After this few not-easy-to-understand stages and few easy-to-
understand, I got my Windows desktop. How does it look? Read on...

Ubuntu Breezy

As with Windows, installation starts booting from CD. But, not so fast!
This installer asks you what type of installation do you want. Regular, custom
regular, server or custom server? Uhm... I'll go with regular. Altough this is
nice to have, there should be one option that would start if users doesn't
choose anything.

Wow! This installer talks Croatian! While Windows is english-only, this

installer offers you to choose language on wich it would performe. Nice! Right
after language, I'm being asked for keyboard. As with Windows, i would like to
use english (us) layout. So, installer gives few options: select from list or
autodetect. I tried autodetect and after pressing few keys it did figure out I
would like to use american layout. This autodetection would work great if I
would try to autodetect Croatian (one keystroke would be enough).

Next is disk partitioner. If you go with manual it can get quite

complicated. If you go with auto-partitioning, either entire disk or just free
space, it would be like takeing icecream from a baby.

Hm, how come Ubuntu did this right? It knew I'm in Zagreb. I didn't say
that anywhere. This isn't related to language, since this happens even if you
choose English for installation language.

At last, my CD is out and Ubuntu restarts. Hm... Geek comment: why do

I have -386 kernel, while I'm using pentiumM? It should've been -686.

First login

Since picture tells more then 1000 words, that's what I'll provide. Notice
that I clicked on few “ballons” both on Windows (Windows tour and one I can't
recall what it was about) and Ubuntu (Updates available since I installed
operating system that's still being developed). Notice how Ubuntu is half
Croatian, half English. Windows are English only.
 I marked same devices with same color in Windows and Ubuntu. You can
see Windows started in 1024x768 resolution, while Ubuntu in 1280x800. More
information you can get in next table. This is situation of both systems out of
the box:

Deivce/function Windows XP Ubuntu Breezy

Audio No Yes
Video Yes Yes
Video widescreen No Yes
Video 3D No No
Wireless No* No*
Ethernet No Yes
Modem No No
Hibernate No Yes
Suspend to RAM (sleep) No No
Touchpad Yes Yes
ALPS functions No No
Multimedia keys Yes Yes
USB1.1 Yes Yes
USB2 No Yes
*Ubuntu – ipw2200 driver is loaded and network card is recognised, but firmware is needed.
Windows – driver isn't loaded. Due firmware license (distribution is prohibited) this device will
never work out of the box on any operating system.

As you can see, Ubuntu is better in support out of the box for this laptop.
All “No” functions, bor both systems, can be easily renamed to “Yes” with few
drivers. Notice that on Windows you will need a CD with drivers or a USB
stick. Non of three network devices aren't working. On the other had,
Windows starts a lot faster! A lot! This is very important for desktop, while it
isn't of big importance for laptop (we all use sleep, don't we)?