I have been a Windows user for a long time. I have also been a big fan of Linux during that time, particularly Ubuntu. I have the latest version installed on a PC (now only in a virtual box), but the glitches have finally gotten the most of my patience on my netbook (dual-boot with XP)..
I cleaned it completely off the old netbook, as it kept core dumping, and instead decided to try Windows 7 Starter edition. I now wish I had done this at the very start. I could have saved myself a lot of wasted hours troubleshooting Linux kernel updates. Starter just works, and works well. For all my grousing about M$, I must give them credit when it’s due. It solved my Ubuntu woes… I do miss Ubuntu One, but hey there is a Windows client coming soon (hopefully)!
If you have an older Netbook, and aging XP is becoming too bloated and sluggish, an easy shot in the arm is to switch to Starter (if you can get it). If you use your older NB for basic tasks like email, and web, Starter is a good fit. XP (with all the updates and SPs) is becoming ridiculous to maintain, and will eventually EOL anyway. The newer Linux distros may or may not work either. Starter could be the perfect answer. I’m not saying it’s a match made in heaven. You give up some things to run it.
1. Starter will not let you change the desktop background or use Aero features.
2. Starter does not natively support DVD creation and playback.
3. No snipping tool (that hurts a little).
4. 32-bit only.
There are many more features missing, but for the home user, those are some biggies above. Still, if you bought a NB with an OEM option for Starter but was stuck with XP from the vendor, you might want to consider giving Starter a try. One thing about M$, they try to exploit every niche. Starter fits the older or slower netbook market, but at the price of some significant features.
