Ubuntu 2026 Hands-on Review From AZ
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS continues to be strongly upgraded in performance, gaming, Vietnamese percussion and application compatibility, causing many users to start considering leaving Windows. In actual testing on the same laptop, Ubuntu only consumes about 3–5W when working in the office, while Windows usually ranges from 5–7W.
Although this is a small difference, it can accumulate into an additional 30–60 minutes of battery life per day. So is Ubuntu 26.04 LTS currently stable and convenient enough to become the main operating system for studying, working and gaming?
What is Ubuntu? And how is it different from Windows?
Ubuntu is an open source operating system developed based on Linux, highly appreciated by the technology community for its stability, lightness, and good performance optimization. This is also one of the most popular Linux distributions in the world for both novices and professional programmers.
Unlike Microsoft Windows, Ubuntu is completely free and does not require a license. This operating system stands out thanks to better resource optimization, fewer background processes and almost no annoying ads or telemetry like Windows 11 does today.
What’s new in Ubuntu 26.04 LTS compared to the previous version?
Version 26.04 LTS (Long Term Support) marks a major leap in both interface and internal technology:
- New GNOME interface: Smoother, well-optimized hardware transition effects, intuitive dock and control center.
- Local AI integration (Local AI): Strong focus on AI with built-in NVIDIA CUDA and AMD ROCm toolkits.
- New Linux Kernel: Uses Linux Kernel 7.0, providing outstanding optimization capabilities for modern chip architectures such as Intel Core Ultra, AMD Ryzen and excellent support for ARM chips.
- Smart energy management: Ability to distribute hardware resources better, significantly reducing useless power consumption.
Practical experience using Ubuntu
- Performance & Battery Saving: The machine runs extremely cool and quiet. Thanks to ideal power consumption (only 3-5W for office tasks), battery life on thin and light laptops is significantly extended compared to Windows.
- Vietnamese percussion: Typing Vietnamese on Ubuntu is still an annoying problem. Even though using the default input method or installing Bambu, users often encounter errors such as not being able to delete, automatically duplicating characters, or unstable behavior, making the content writing experience frustrating.
- Gaming: Gaming performance on Ubuntu is very impressive, even achieving slightly higher FPS than Windows in some games like Black Myth: Wukong or Cyberpunk 2077, while consuming less power
- App ecosystem: Ubuntu Software application store (Snap/Flatpak) has full online Office, VS Code, Spotify, Discord, Canva… However, if your work depends 100% on the Adobe software suite (Photoshop, Premiere) or copyrighted Autocad, this is still a big barrier.
Compare Ubuntu and Windows
To make your decision easier, below is a visual comparison table between the two operating systems:
| Criteria | Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | Windows 11 / Windows 12 |
| Copyright price | 100% Free | Paid (or included with the device) |
| Resource consumption | Extremely light (Consumes less RAM, cool CPU heat dissipation) | Quite heavy (Many services running in the background) |
| Battery Life (Office) | Good optimization (3 – 5W), longer battery life | Consumes more (5 – 7W), drains the battery faster |
| Security level | Very high, almost no virus | On average, vulnerable to attacks without anti-virus software |
| Graphics Software Support | Limitations (Use alternative apps like GIMP, DaVinci) | Absolute (Full Adobe, AutoCAD, 3ds Max…) |
| Customization capabilities | Free to change everything according to your preferences | Limited within Microsoft framework |
| Trackpad | Support gestures are quite limited. Users lack the variety of drag, drop, and zoom operations with multiple fingers. | Extremely rich support with smooth multi-finger (2, 3, 4 finger) gestures. |
According to assessment from Minh Tuan Mobile’s technical team, if your main needs are studying, programming, office work or need to optimize laptop battery, Ubuntu is a choice worth trying. However, for people who rely heavily on Adobe, advanced Office or AAA gaming using complex anti-cheat, Windows is still the safer and more convenient platform at the present time.
Who is Ubuntu suitable for?
Switching to a new operating system always requires you to carefully consider your work needs and daily usage habits.
You should use Ubuntu if you are:
- Programmers and Developers: Linux is the “kingdom” of code. Ubuntu provides the perfect native working environment for Docker, Python, Node.js and server management without the need for complicated emulation layers.
- Basic office users: If your needs are just surfing the web, watching movies, editing documents via Google Docs/Office Online and need a smooth operating system, no lag, no worries about viruses.
- Own a weak configuration device/Need to save battery: Ubuntu will revive old laptops and help extend battery life significantly thanks to optimal power management (only 3-5W).
You should use Windows if you are:
- Professional graphic artist and film editor: If your work is tied to the Adobe toolkit (Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects) or AutoCAD.
- Gamers try-hard Esport games: Games with strict anti-cheat systems at the operating system kernel level such as Valorant, League of Legends (Vanguard) cannot currently be launched on Linux.
Instructions for installing 26.04 properly
To install Ubuntu 26.04 LTS in the safest and smoothest way (can be installed in parallel with Windows), follow these basic steps:
- Step 1: Preparation: Download the official ISO file of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS from the ubuntu.com homepage. Prepare an empty USB of 8GB or more.
- Step 2: Create USB Boot: Use Rufus software (on Windows) or BalenaEtcher to load the ISO file onto USB.
- Step 3: Divide the drive (If installed in parallel): Go to Disk Management on Windows, cut out a space (Unallocated space) of about 50GB – 100GB depending on need to reserve for Ubuntu.
- Step 4: Settings: Restart the computer, press the shortcut key (F12, F2, Del depending on the device) to enter the Boot Menu, select boot from USB. The new installation interface of Ubuntu 26.04 will appear, you just need to follow the visual instructions on the screen, select the free hard drive area divided in Step 3 and click Install.
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS has proven that Linux Desktop in 2026 has become extremely user-friendly and optimized for mass users. With a strong transformation, this couldn’t be a better time for you to experience this operating system. Try refreshing your computer today to stay ahead of the modern open source trend!
FAQ
Does Ubuntu have a virus?
Ubuntu can still be infected with malware, but the rate is extremely low and rare compared to Windows thanks to its strict security authorization mechanism (needing Root password to change the system) and its market share is less targeted by hackers.
Does Ubuntu run .exe files?
Cannot be run directly because the .exe file is designed specifically for Windows. However, you can run most of these software or games through compatibility layers like Wine, Bottles or Proton on Steam.
What types of Ubuntu are there?
Besides the default Ubuntu version (using the GNOME interface), there are also official “Flavors” versions using different interfaces such as Kubuntu (Windows-like interface), Xubuntu/Lubuntu (super lightweight for weak devices) and Ubuntu Budgie (modern, sleek interface).
Which is better for programmers, Ubuntu vs Fedora?
Both are excellent, but Ubuntu is better for beginners because of its large support community, ease of debugging, and many optimized programming software/courses available for this ecosystem; while Fedora is suitable for those who like to experience the latest and most frontier Linux technologies.
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