Linux in a Windows World

Linux on the Desktop

Although it’s only one system in Figure 1-1 (or two, if you count the thin client), Linux use as a desktop OS is different enough from Linux server use that it requires its own description. Several classes of differences are particularly noteworthy.

User interfaces

Generally speaking, desktop systems require better user interface devices (video cards, monitors, keyboard, and mice) than do servers. Linux usually works well with the same hardware as Windows systems, but with one caveat: the very latest video cards sometimes aren’t well supported in Linux. Staying a generation or two behind the leading edge is therefore desirable in Linux.

Disk and network hardware

Many classes of servers require the very best in disk and network hardware, but this is less often the case for desktop uses. You can often get by with average ATA devices and typical Ethernet (or other network) hardware. Some desktop systems, though, do need excellent disk or network hardware. These are typically high-performance systems that run scientific simulations, specialized engineering software, and so on.

RAM

Desktop systems’ needs for powerful CPUs and lots of RAM vary with the application. Generally speaking, modern GUI environments are RAM-hungry, so you should equip a modern desktop system with at least 256 MB of RAM, and probably 512 MB or even 1 GB if possible. Linux does support slimmer environments that can work well in 128 MB or less if necessary, though. Most desktop applications don’t ...