Ubuntu Linux

Microsoft Windows

Price

For many this is the most dominant factor. Ubuntu is completely FREE, and thus wins hands down (you know how we love FREE)

Yes, you do need to give Microsoft a piece of the Action.
Windows costs $95 per embedded license

Video Performance

Very good performance. But no hardware acceleration.

A major victory here for Windows as Flash 10.1 runs all H.264 FLV Videos on the GPU and thus offloads from the CPU.
This is a major game changer and pushes Windows above it all.

SWF Performance

Very good performance. Under extreme heavy load may be “jumpy” but only when pushed beyond the CPU capacity.

Great performance. Will run till it’s dead if it has to.

Ease

Although the majority Ubuntu variants have improved dramatically in ease of use, Windows is still much easier to use for new computer users. We do add custom Context menu (Desktop right click) to ease on the management of the mediaBOX.

The mediaBOX comes with no desktop and so all control and management is done from the Task Manager. And so it’s really a “break even” between Ubuntu and Windows when it comes to Ease of use.

Reliability

Notoriously reliable and can often run for months and years without needing to be rebooted. But XPe is just as reliable so we will call it a draw.

Windows had gotten a bad rap for not being stable. However, the XPe (embedded) is an ultra light flavor and so its just as reliable as Linux.
So again, a break even in this category.

Software

Linux supports the major component of the Digital Signage platform including Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash. The Player is also pre-loaded with Special Firerox browser (for embedding) and VLC Player.

Windows supports the major component of the Digital Signage platform including Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash. The Player is also pre-loaded with Special Firerox browser (for embedding) and VLC Player. Windows is the winner in this category as driver maintenance is much better in Windows.

Software cost

The price per license for a mediaBOX is identical for both operating systems.

The price per license for a mediaBOX is identical for both operating systems.

Hardware

Ubuntu companies and hardware manufacturers have made great advancements in hardware support for Linux and today Linux will support most hardware devices. However, many companies still do not offer drivers or support for their hardware in Linux.

Because of the amount of Microsoft Windows users and the broader driver support, Windows has a much larger support for hardware devices and a good majority of hardware manufacturers will support their products in Microsoft Windows. So extra brownie points for Windows.

Security

Ubuntu is and has always been a very secure operating system. Although it still can be attacked when compared to Windows, it is more secure.

Although Microsoft has made great improvements over the years with security on their operating system, their operating system continues to be the most vulnerable to viruses and other attacks.

Open source

Many of the Ubuntu variants and many Linux programs are open source and enable users to customize or modify the code however they wish to.

Microsoft Windows is not open source and the majority of Windows programs are not open source.

Support

Although it may be more difficult to find users familiar with all Linux variants, there are vast amounts of available online documentation and help, available books, and support available for Linux.

Microsoft Windows includes its own help section, has vast amount of available online documentation and help, as well as books on each of the versions of Windows.

Balloon Messages

Ubuntu is the star here as it does not have annoying messages like “Install updates”, “Wireless connections”, “Firewall disabled” etc. So Ubuntu has the home run here.

Windows loves to let you know of anything and everything through balloons messages so clearly the looser as you don’t need these in a dedicated Digital Signage machine. HOWEVER, in our mediaBOX we disabled all messages so you do not have to bother with any of it.

Recoverability

Linux can detect and fix errors.

Windows is also very good in recovering from failures

Boot time

Ubuntu is the superstar when it comes to bootup as it comes up in about 30 seconds, now that’s WOW!

Windows is not as nearly as bootup friendly as it can takes over 2 minutes to boot from a clean start up

Live TV

Ubuntu does support Live TV, but due to lack of industry standards it sometimes has issues with certain binding of capture cards to the display.

All hands down winner here, Windows is flawless and fully support both standard and high definition. It just keeps going and going...

Maintenance

Practically maintenance free as all logs and internal cache is well maintained.

Just like Ubuntu Linux, no spacial maintenance needed.

Remote Login

The mediaBOX comes with VNC and the default Ubuntu remote desktop software which is good. However, it requirers a static IP or special port forwarding router configuration. No LogMeIn.com Support (too bad).

Windows fully supports LogMeIn.com as well as TeamViewer which are amazing and best of all, you guessed it; its FREE. So Windows picks up 5 stars in this category.