Ubuntu Desktop: Plenty of sizzle, not much steak

Ubuntu 9.0.4 Desktop, nicknamed Jaunty Jackalope, is likely to continue the Mac-like cult following for Canonical's Debian-based Linux distribution. But there's not a lot new here.

[ Read a test on the Ubuntu Server. ]

Released in late April, Ubuntu Desktop does sport some enhancements. Yes, you can get versions for 32-or 64-bit hardware and install the correct version automatically. Yes, you get an update to OpenOffice's suite of office productivity tools. Yes, it boots faster. And yes, the slim-sized Netbook Remix version of Ubuntu Desktop installed handily on our new Dell Inspiron solid state netbook.

But there's not much tremendously new compared with Ubuntu LTS 8.04 (Hardy Heron), which was released in April 2008. The biggest difference is that Ubuntu 9.0.4 supports more Wi-Fi and 3G peripherals. This is likely due to demand because Ubuntu is often deployed on inexpensive notebooks and netbooks. The drivers help, as Ubuntu Desktop supports Skype (given a working network connection) and Adobe Flash (and therefore YouTube Ubuntu users will rejoice).

Many of the desktop components are similar to Novell's SLED 11, including Brasero (a CD/DVD authoring application), Rhythmbox (a music player), Pidgin (IM) and Ekiga for videoconferencing. Videoconferencing was actually simple as Ubuntu Desktop found the built-in cameras in our notebooks and netbooks simply.

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