Although I have always been a Linux and Ubuntu evangelist, successfully converting several friends to the open source operating system, I’m here to tell you six reasons that have made me switching from Ubuntu to Windows Vista.

1. Battery and Heating

My notebook power saving behaviour is very different in Ubuntu and in Windows Vista. While the latter brings the computer to an average temperature (still quite high for a notebook) on Ubuntu the heating problem is unsustainable. This also influences the battery performance: on Windows the battery usually lasts between 2h 30m and 3h; on Linux has never reached 2h.

2. Wireless

On Ubuntu the wifi adapter, a AR928X by Atheros, works out of the box, but takes a few minutes to connect to the access point (I experienced this on several access points) and disconnects from time to time. On Windows the connection setup is fast and the line is stable. That is exactly what you should expect when using a notebook.

3. 64 bit

My notebook has 64 bit processor. Installing 64 bit Linux could improve the computer performances and let you use the full RAM quantity. But some 32 bit software for Linux are not compatible or require some extra work to run, like Skype, and have a few stability problem. On 64 bit Windows Vista I still have to find a 32 bit app that could not run out of the box.

4. Flash Player

Adobe Flash Player has made giant steps in the last few years, and the recent development of a 64 bit Linux release is showing that Adobe cares about Linux users. However Flash Player for Linxu has some issues, like the web upload: it is quite common for websites to let users upload their content using a flash uploader, that allows multiple files upload. This method on Linux will make your browser freeze until the upload is completed. Do you want to upload 300MB video on Vimeo? Stop browsing for a couple of hours.

5. Performance & Precedence

The great majority apps are for Windows only, but I’m not complaining about that. I’m complaining about many of the multi-platform software (like Firefox, OpenOffice and so on) are sensible faster on Windows than on Linux. Other softwares, altough we have to appreciate the efforts of making a Linux version, give an obvious precedence to Windows. Did anyone say Chrome?

6. Desktop search

Tracker is well integrated into Gnome, but cannot index my Thunderbird messages. Google Desktop could index my Thunderbird messages, but it is not integrated into the GUI. Windows Search does the full job

Conclusion

Don’t misunderstand me, please. There are several things I will miss after this switch and I will continue to use Linux and Ubuntu. Just it will not be my primary system anymore.