When I boot with XP it takes almost four minutes for Windows XP to be fully loaded and ready for work. Lubuntu takes thirty-six seconds. Shutdown with XP takes fifty-seven seconds while Lubuntu takes only six seconds to turn off the computer.
Windows requires drivers specifically for hardware. Ubuntu is written with drivers built-in and identifies the hardware plugged into a PC and loads generic open-source software to use it. I have a USB wireless adapter that Windows can't use until the special driver is loaded to utilize it. Ubuntu immediately finds it and brings up local wireless networks to choose from.
Ubuntu is a Linux-based system and uses open-source software for programs and internet browsers. Many companies make proprietary drivers and offer them for Linux users. The major browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox have free downloads for Linux. Ubuntu comes with office programs that not only look like Windows programs but read and save to Windows formats.
Everything I used to do with Windows: Excel, Word, Access, etc. has a free version in Ubuntu. Files I made with Microsoft can be transferred and used in Libre, the Ubuntu version of office software. Graphics software is also available free for Linux. GIMP image editor is comparable to Photoshop for manipulating and saving files to almost any format.
Security is simple. Few malware programs target Linux systems. I have said goodbye to Windows.
