Ubuntu is currently in its 10th version (10.10 to be exact), it is light weight, less flashy as compared to Microsoft Windows or Mac but it hides a huge potential underneath. One may not use it for software development, designing and gaming as there are not enough tools or not enough Developers that make games for Ubuntu, but there a is bright side too, most of us don't develop, design or even play games on their PCs, they rather Check their emails, watch youtube and social networking sites like facebook and that is where Ubuntu is really good at and in some ways even better than Microsoft Windows.

1. Faster Boot/Loading Times

When you start your Ubuntu PC, it literally takes less than 30 seconds to completely load and bring your desktop (without further hard disk activity) on most machines (even 5 year old). Less loading and hard disk activity means less electricity consumed, less battery used in case of Laptops and Netbooks and less heat generated in the end. Faster boot timings can really help, for example you just want to email some one real quick or just wanted to use internet or just wanted to read an ebook.

2. Built-In Open Office for Spreadsheets and Presentations

Ubuntu 10 comes with pre-installed Open Office, you can call it equivalent to Microsoft Word or Power Point, it even lets you save your documents in 2003 up to 2007 MS Office formats. You can expect all the goodies from Open Office that you once expected from MS Office and even more.

From end-user point of view it is very important that an operating system comes loaded with basic tools of use, Ubuntu 10 had clearly worked in this area and its really a job well done.

3. Unique and completely free educational Softwares

Ubuntu Software Center offers completely free softwares and some very nice educational softwares as well, for example:

1. Marble Desktop Globe, it offers world map much like Google earth which is fairly complex but is completely off-line, it is really good to have a world map handy without an Internet connection.

2. Step, it is a simulator that can simulate forces, velocity and collisions between different objects.

These are are not the only great educational applications but there are quite some good educational applications that are available, seriously how many good applications like these are developed for Windows.

4. Insanely Customizable

Without a double Ubuntu is insanely customizable, a lot more than what Windows 7 can offer. You can customize each and every aspect of its presentation, icons, program or window bars, themes, wallpapers, cursors and list goes on. One very useful customization is that you can save multiple TCP/IP settings on a single Network Adaptor (Wireless/Wired), so that you would not have to mess with the settings again and again once you change your network. It is without any doubt VERY HELPFUL!

5. UBUNTU a Great Backup OS

Consider this situation, your windows crashes and now all you are left with is either 1. Safe Mode 2. Gloomy Dos Shell, these are not the best choices when you are already troubled and don't want to disrupt your daily routine work or in other words the internet(email, blogs, youtube, facebook). Ubuntu can serve really well as a backup Operating system, one that you can use when you are troubled with Windows Operating System. This way your assignments, projects and some other work will not get delayed and finally you can fix your Windows some time in the coming Weekend.