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What's the difference between Ubuntu 12.04 LTS for free and the Official CD of Ubuntu for $5? I didn't know the difference.

Jjed
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Jan Freisler
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4 Answers4

25

There's no difference. The CD is just an annual thing they do for people with slow connections and to raise funds for Ubuntu.

KI4JGT
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21

They charge the cost for the CD/DVD, maybe shipping & handling and the seconds it takes to burn it. This helps in several key points:

  • Helps users with very slow connection, limited bandwidth or no connection at all get the CD/DVD. This are the 3 types of users that actually benefit more from this.
  • Helps raise funds for multiple causes
  • The buyer gets a cool printed CD with the Ubuntu version, Ubuntu logo and a neat Ubuntu cover.
  • The buyer also gets several stickers that look great on the PC/Laptop.

For the 12.04 for example you would get a box cover like this:

enter image description here

And the CD Cover like this:

enter image description here

In the case of Ubuntu, they charge 5$ for a pack of 5CDs + S&H. Is it worth it, most definitely yeah!. I mean you are getting all that for a little more than 5$.

The only downside is that you'll turn into my dad. He has a collection of all Ubuntu / Xubuntu / Lubuntu / Kubuntu / Edubuntu... CDs since it came out. And I MEAN a collection that he doesn't even take out of the cover box. I mean do you know how many versions of Ubuntu there are and types of flavors. It almost looks like a music collection if you look at it from the side.

Luis Alvarado
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  • Can you post a photo of that collection? Would be fun to see that :) – Lipis Sep 19 '12 at 22:11
  • Let me ask hehe. – Luis Alvarado Sep 19 '12 at 22:25
  • @Lipis Hi, could not find the rest of the CD/DVD. My father had them but I moved to Costa Rica looking for work and did not bring the CD/DVD with me. He told me a couple of days ago that he gave them away to several friends and he is teaching older friends to use Ubuntu. – Luis Alvarado Apr 19 '14 at 20:40
17

There is no difference. Both are the same. But if you like to have the official CD, for keepsake, you can do so. Plus if you have a slow connection, or planning bulk deployment, getting the CD would be an idea.

The price is $5 for a pack of 5, so you can pass it on. Or you can download it, and make your own CD, and pass it on.1

1Source:Ubuntu

To buy Ubuntu CD:

Click Here

Download Link for Ubuntu CD:

Click Here

Mitch
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1

There is no difference the users who find it difficult to download can buy the CD for $5. You are free to clone the disk and distribute among your friends.

surendar
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