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Canonical Pushes Ubuntu 14.04 as XP, Windows 7 Alternative

Ubuntu 14.04 includes support for high-res displays, and is a viable alternative to XP or Windows 7, Canonical says.

By Stephanie Mlot
April 18, 2014
Ubuntu 14.04

Hoping to catch the attention of those upgrading from dead-end Microsoft operating systems, Canonical this week released Ubuntu 14.04 LTS for the desktop.

Free to use, the service promises five years free security updates, plus a host of business tools like remote delivery of applications, compatibility with Windows file formats, browser-based cloud solutions, and the LibreOffice suite.

"The 14.04 LTS release offers a solid, intuitive experience which is easy to manage," Canonical CEO Jane Silber said in a statement. "It is a viable and affordable alternative for those organizations considering a switch from Microsoft, and specifically those replacing XP or Windows 7 as they come to the end of life."

Canonical said Ubuntu 14.04 LTS is optimized for desktops and laptops with multi-touch trackpads and touch screens, and includes support for high pixel density (DPI) screens. "This means users can make the most out of the newest hardware on the market," the firm said.

Those upgrading from Ubuntu 12.04 LTS will notice a sleeker experience on a revamped Unity UI, which, according to PCMag sister site Geek.com, includes a new screen saver and lock screen, borderless windows with anti-aliased corners, title-bar menus, and other changes to animation smoothness and overall interface speed.

Version 14.04 also comes with the most up-to-date default apps, like Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Shotwell, Rhythmbox, and Empathy.

But, as Geek pointed out, it does not include the Ubuntu One cloud storage service—recently shuttered by Canonical due to lack of popularity and financial success.

If you're still wary about making the move to Ubuntu, take the online tour; you can also dual-boot your PC or run the system on a USB stick or CD first. And don't be put off by the Ubuntu interface: Canonical offers a number of official flavors of the OS for a more personalized look.

Canonical's desktop system has been waiting on the backburner recently, as the company focuses on breaking into the smartphone market. The Ubuntu Edge crowdfunding project failed last fall, but the U.K.-based software developer rallied in February, suggesting that it will ship Ubuntu phones to customers this year.

For more, see PCMag's Hands On With Ubuntu for Phones and the slideshow above.

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About Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

Stephanie Mlot

B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)

Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)

Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

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