14 DAY TRIAL // Linux has long been described as the best option for Windows users whose computers are getting slower after upgrading to a newer version, and now Linspire is specifically trying to convince these people to make the switch.
Linspire 8.7 is now available as an update to Linspire 8.5 and uses the Mate desktop in an attempt to make the desktop experience as familiar as possible for those coming from Windows 7 and Windows 10.
One of the reasons many Windows 7 users decide to stick with Microsoft’s operating system and upgrade to Windows 10 is the familiar desktop, so with this approach, the PC/Opensystems Enterprise development team hopes it can convince more people to move to the Linux world.
“Spartan but very fulll-featured, MATE offers a path forward for Windows 7 users whose systems may be unable to run Windows 10 effectively / efficiently. For current Linspire users this release offers full security, kernel and graphics drivers updates; for users of our KDE desktop simply update your systems using your preferred method,” the team explains.
Available with a $29.99 fee
Linspire 8.7 uses MATE 1.20.1 and the LTS Server kernel 5.3.0-40, while also being equipped with apps that would make the transition from Windows to Linux even easier, including Google Chrome, Skype, Microsoft PowerShell, VLC, and OnlyOffice.
Linspire doesn’t come with a free license for new users. A one-year license with self support is available for $29.99, while 12 months of support subscriptions increases the price to $59.99.
“When you purchase Linspire 8.7 you get 12 months of free upgrades, e-mail, and phone support,” the development team explains.
In the meantime, Windows 7 remains one popular operating system whose market share decreases rather slow. According to third-party data provided by NetMarketShare, Windows 7’s market share fell from 25.56% in January to 25.20% in February.