Should I Dual Boot Linux

Hi, I've been i programmer for about a 2 years now and i only recently got into java. So as i dove deeper into to the world of open source software i found out that running Linux can drastically lower the CPU and generally all resource consumption of my system. but it is highly unsupported (i'm talking driver wise). so if i would only need it to program java and surf the net should i install Linux and what Linux distro should i install if i'm looking for the most lightweight and none consuming OS out there. i was thinking lubuntu

Plus my graphics card is: nvidia geforce 460 gtx and my processor is: amd athlom 640 x4 @ 3.00ghz
so if Linux is not compatible with those then i will forget the whole idea.

thank you for you input.

 

Given that as you point out Linux isn't that widely used, you may have to wait till one of our more experienced members/or staff come online for an answer, but I have experimented with Linux a small amount but I just booted it from a DVD. Don't know if that's an option you didn't know about or just didn't consider it to be an option for yourself.

 

that could work. But won't it affect performance or mess something up. I'm just a bit cautious is all.

 

It was true a few years ago that it was hit or miss whether there would be drivers for the hardware you had. Not so any longer. If it works in Windows it should work in Linux.

I run FreeBSD, have for years, on my development box. Never had any problem with any of my hardware. I have upgraded the hardware in that box many times and never had to re-install. Try changing a video card or motherboard on a Windows box without uninstalling the drivers and see what happens when you boot up.

 

Same advice that I will always give on this question. Download several 'Live CDs' and end up going with the one that you use most. A Live CD is a working copy of the OS held on a CD or DVD. It is fully operational and if all your devices install and work on the live CD then they will if you do a full install.

Another option to doing a dual boot with Linux would be to install in a virtual machine. It will not run as well as a dual boot but should run well enough to use without issues. You would not be able to use some of the fancier desktop features that are included in some distros.

I've usually installed Ubuntu but it would seem that it has fallen out of favor a bit lately. I can't say that I've kept current lately with Linux but it would seem that Slackware is in favor. Those are two that you might want to look at in live cd form.

 

thanks for you input people. i have decided to give lubuntu 12.04 a try. wish me luck.

 

Good luck.