Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

beeSD reviewed v9.0 Beta 1 on Aug 7, 2011

Using FreeBSD for about two years, I wanted to see how much easer it really is to install PC-BSD. Let me tell you, on an older laptop, HP Pavilion dv9000, installation was flawless. I did this about a month ago and I don't know if I want to go back to FreeBSD. FreeBSD does take a lot of tinkering to install, as oppose to PC-BSD, just pop in the dvd and you are done. By the way, this laptop, dv9000, came with Vista – totally useless, nobody was using it, so I took it and turned it into a BSD machine. PC-BSD has the makings of becoming one of the most popular operating systems, ever.

Monkey_Punch reviewed v9.0 Beta 1 on Aug 3, 2011

I have been an avid supporter of this project since its 1.5 days and continue to test and use it. 9.0 beta has amazing polish and speed improvements over 8.2. Sadly, FreeBSD hasn't been keeping up with the Joneses (read: Linux) in terms of things like X-Org server, MESA and drivers. There is work being done on getting up to speed with those projects but it is hella slow. But in terms of useability, PC-BSD beats any friendly Linux distro hands down. Great OS for those old workhorse PCs that are not quite ready to retire but still have enough oomph to do Office and basic stuff. Works well on new hardware too if you have NVidia graphics. Still built atop the most stable and secure OS out there.

scsi reviewed v8.0 on May 7, 2010

BSD distros are probably one of the best os in world today...I see here some said this is bad this is ugly...bla bla...is MacOS is bad? sure not mac os is one of bsd derivates...so first read, learn etc... then said this is bad or so...bsd was and will be one of the best OS I`we ever try, you guys need just to learn and to be patient and then every os including unix/linux distros will work for you, then you will realize that windowz is...at the end of your favorite list.

cheers! :)

Phat Esther reviewed v8.0 on Mar 13, 2010

Start live dvd ok
copy image into memory ok
start pcbsd fine looks simpatic desktop
nice
connect network cable
1 minutes nothing happened
10 minutes nothing happened
start searching an icon for network wizzard NONE
go system network config settings NONE

in 2010 released PCBSD8 an operating system without network connect

back to win7 - plug cable - tada net working immediatelly
from pcbsd1-6 fine
pcbsd 7 not able see live image
pcbsd8 looks very very nice everything but no has internet

I not testing this op anymore
the biggest shame for programmers

eazycomeneazygo reviewed v8.0 RC on Jan 29, 2010

PC-BSD OS 7.0.2 is the first in a long while colonized by Microsoft Windows. I found freedom and perfection here. Free from the fear of viruses roaming the Internet, are exempt from the data in the process of caring for defragmenting and registry. And the main thing is free of charge for everything. Next I've felt the PC-BSD 7.1.1 and now starting again with the PC-BSD 8. I also have tried to excellence and perfection of some Linux distributions, but somehow my heart was tied to the PC-BSD. Congratulations to Kris, continue to work for the progress of BSD.

smanofsteel76 reviewed v8.0 Beta on Jan 8, 2010

I don't know why I even bother downloading this. Every new version that comes out, I try to install it on my HP and it either freezes as its booting or I get nothing. In the case of PC-BSD 8.0 Beta, I get "relocating the bootloader" or some crap like that. NEVER AGAIN will I download this and waste another DVD! Sorry for the bad review, its probably a great OS, but I'll never know.

Phat Esther reviewed v7.1.1 on Jul 20, 2009

Istall from dvd error, not access setup image ??? All previous version working fine. 3x download and 3x write iso crc ok. What happened with pc-bsd ? We hope the version 8.x install working again. This was the first bad news in this project.

iamnotyou reviewed v7.0.2 on Jan 3, 2009

@pjafrombbay if you read the info at the PC-BSD web site you will see that you do not have to rely on the PBI's for your software. The 19,554+ ports for FreeBSD are available as well. Refer to the PC-BSD guide at section "1.2 Differences between PC-BSD and FreeBSD"

I am new to BSD/Linux, but I like what I see so far. I am tired of being asked to dump "old" hardware to get the new version(s) of XP/Vista/7 to run at a liveable speed/performance level. I have no need for cutting edge hardware that costs big $'s when BSD or even Linux can handle most (or all) of my needs.

I am booting to a second hard drive in my computer by changing the BIOS when I want to play with PC-BSD. If I FUBAR it ... no big deal, I'll just re-install/configure it all over again. I have picked up some books on BSD for reference and hope to be away from Windows real soon now.

myboy reviewed v7.0.2 on Dec 30, 2008

Doesn't play well when you have an existing Windows partition. Windows won't even be an option when you boot up. And for some reason, the Windows partition became unrecognizable in GParted (which by the way, didn't come with PC-BSD and you have to do all that stuff yourself beforehand). These problems cropped up even after I dedicated some space for PC-BSD. *sigh* I had to reinstall Windows. Perhaps this OS is better suited for those who do not want to dual boot or those with more tech savvy than I. This will teach me not to use auto partition next time. The benefits of this OS is negated by the horrible installation experience.

netean reviewed v7.0.2 on Dec 13, 2008

I like it, more than any other linux distro I've used (although I can't exactly say why, you'd think KDE is KDE anywhere!)

on the downside, it does require a lot of hard drive space for a base install. OK, I DO get a few extra apps in that, Openoffice, K3b etc, but it still seems quite a large base install - obviously not VISTA big (what is!), but larger than I would have hoped.

also pity it has to come on 3cds or 1 dvd, it's a hefty download.
and no livecd which is also a shame

pjafrombbay reviewed v7.0.2 on Dec 12, 2008

I agree with *almost* everything others have said. However, issues like printer drivers still cause me problems. I have a Canon LBP-1210 laser printer and its even difficult to setup in Ubuntu. Ditching the printer, as suggested by some tech types, is not really an option during the global economic melt-down.

Software installs and up-grades via PBI are great but the range is still limited. Nowhere near as comprehensive as Synaptic on Ubuntu.

Really great operating system, much safer than Micro$oft Windows but still needs a bit of work.

Regards,
Peter

iamnotyou reviewed v7.0.1 on Nov 4, 2008

I have this on an "old" laptop and am impressed with the results.

PCBSD v7 choked on my WIFI card but v7.01 runs OK. I'm tired of the problems with Microsoft's OS and will be going to Linux/BSD in the near future on this computer. The PBI installer got me OpenOffice/Firefox/Thunderbird with a few clicks of the mouse and these items fulfill most of my needs for day-to-day computing.

I am still going to try Slackware and Debian but PC-BSD will be hard to beat. "old" hardware is a great way to test a new OS ... try PC-BSD and you too will like the results.

zridling reviewed v7.0 on Sep 16, 2008

Installs fast, boots fast, runs fast, and virtually bullet-proof. PC-BSD is a seriously no-hassle OS by any measure. No hardware conflicts here through three different PCs, old and new.

analphatester reviewed v7.0 Beta 1 on Sep 2, 2008

Idont see livecd version why?

Banquo reviewed v7.0 Beta 1 on Aug 29, 2008

Great OS, but wow did they really just jump from version 1 to 7? I realize it's probably because they want to line it up with the version of FreeBSD it's based on but I still hate when companies do that.

peispud reviewed v7.0 Beta 1 on Aug 29, 2008

rock solid OS

improvelence reviewed v1.5.1 on Apr 22, 2008

PC-BSD is totally tits!

Prospero424 reviewed v1.5 RC2 on Mar 11, 2008

1. If drivers aren't available from Intel, why are you blaming the BSD team? Plus, as far as I know, you should be able to get the third-party drivers like snd_hda or 4front working with Azalia.

2. This version of PC-BSD is based upon FreeBSD 6, which works just fine with Nvidia. They even have an automatic installer. Give them a few weeks, and FreeBSD 7 support will be there, too. Geeez.

Does anyone know where I can find changelogs for version 1.5? I can't find an official announcement or even an acknowledgment anywhere, which leads me to believe these RCs have been leaked.

BTW, RC3 is already out. If they're moving this quickly, perhaps the stable release is imminent.

My favorite desktop *nix.

mflip reviewed v1.5 RC2 on Mar 11, 2008

Let's see. No support for Intel HD Audio in FreeBSD 6. No Nvidia display driver for FreeBSD 7. What a way to make an otherwise excellent OS completely useless for the desktop.

H2O_lover reviewed v1.5 RC1 on Mar 7, 2008

PC-BSD 2.0 will be based on FreeBSD 7

http://trac.pcbsd.org/milestone/2.0

Skyfrog reviewed v1.5 RC1 on Mar 6, 2008

Works very well, I'm looking forward to a version based on FreeBSD 7.

christ999 reviewed v1.4.1 on Dec 24, 2007

very easy to install
(freeBSD installation sucks)

Some problems (not bugs, but used to other systems functionality)

analphatester reviewed v1.4.1 on Nov 23, 2007

So nice, so beautiful like a lovely girl.
I tested it for three days.
Previous versions not but this full automatic install vithout any questions.
Better than Windows, better.
1 click im pbi ikon that on win as setup.exe and full install itself the program.
No more 8472 linux problem for new users.
Totally simply just working no freeze.
Same programs that win IE Firefox Opera Xnview Openoffice and all prog that I use on Win.
And on my Windows Secondlife not worked cause hardware minimum but on PC-BSD working fine.
I dont believe it.
I tested 3 days but very hard comeback to windows.
I dont want use Windows anymore but must.
Try this OS and will falling into love.
I think the best alternative beside Windows
for newbies.
Easy full automatic everything.
I will buy a second computer I want to use this Operating System.
People I dont believe it that so good opsys.
Thanks for every workers who make PCBSD.
On second day You forget Windows will see just try it.
Just an dream.
Rating:6(very high)

godofthunder reviewed v1.4.1 on Nov 19, 2007

This is a freebsd OS derivative, which is based on unix. It is a WHOLE operating system, coded quite carefully from the ground up. This is nothing like Linux, which is a collection of core mudules bolted together. This IS more stable and more core-complete than any bas****ised Linux system out there.

I have used xandros, fedora, suse, ubuntu(a recommended alternative), debian even DSL. But once installing this, I honestly have nothing but praise for the developers of the BSD system, especially the work that has gone into the PC-BSD distribution.

Well done.

HornyToad reviewed v1.4.1 on Nov 18, 2007

Still has some issues with screen resolution on VMs, though : I installed it on Parallels Desktop on my MacBook Pro (native res is 1440 x 900, I think), and it won't go into fullscreen mode, no matter what. Has to do with the fact that only 16- and 24-bit colors are supported, while my ATI video card needs 32-bit support, I suppose. Still, this OS is brillant : stable, scalable, fast, and with a good-looking interface. Installed on a friend's PC when it was still in 1.3, and he's used it ever since, without the need to reinstall it... This wouldn't happen with W*****s, huh...?

Prospero424 reviewed v1.4.1 on Nov 18, 2007

Damn.

They've done a LOT of work on these latest releases: XORG 7.2; Compiz Fusion; PBIs galore; taskbar network manager; automated installation of proprietary video drivers from nVidia; GUI manager for the firewall, and probably a lot of other stuff I'm missing.

If they would just make one change: give the user the "out-of-the-box" option to choose between a graphical ports interface or using PBI installation files, I would be confident in saying that this is the BEST *nix KDE distribution out there. Period.

It performs noticeably better than, for example, Kubuntu, on both of my machines. Even Compiz Fusion runs more smoothly than it does in KDE under Linux (at least it does on my relatively modern hardware).

And I've still got the latest version of Amarok, the best music player on ANY platform!

The prospect of PC-BSD combined with KDE4 is absolutely tantalizing. I can't wait.

shtraue reviewed v1.4.1 on Nov 17, 2007

"PC-BSD version 1.4 to be carried in All Fry's Electronics Stores nationwide."

http://www.prweb.com/rel...2007/11/prweb569309.htm

Congrats to PC-BSD team!

osric reviewed v1.4.1 on Nov 17, 2007

Wow! I always thought that BSD was a very difficult OS to use.

Installation of PC-BSD is a breeze. The only point to note is that BSD can only be installed on a Primary Partition and not on a Logical Partition. Take care of that while installing.

PBI makes installation of software pretty much like in Window$, but I don't like it. I prefer to use the ports system.

With respect to stability and security you don't have to think twice. It "BSD" after all!!

zridling reviewed v1.4.1 on Nov 16, 2007

One word: smooth.

One thought: I love it. Runs as great as it looks and doesn't drain resources at any point. Also, it almost installs itself.

godofthunder reviewed v1.4 on Oct 18, 2007

DAMN, this is one good OS. Based on free BSD with the KDE layer its soooo good.

robmanic44 reviewed v1.4 RC on Sep 4, 2007

There was a time when I would have jumped at this OS. That was before the effects of my mental disorder and brain damage took their toll. This certainly doesn't have the easiest install available, but the rewards are huge.

Prospero424 reviewed v1.4 Beta on Jul 24, 2007

I believe the reason they can include the Nvidia driver has to do with the difference between the GPL and BSD licensing terms. Nvidia's not the one to blame.

Incredibly great project. No other Unix offers such complete out-of-the-box integration with KDE and other open-source desktop software.

smarterthanyou reviewed v1.4 Beta on Jul 23, 2007

This is the best version of BSD Unix ever created. The only question I have is how did the PC-BSD developers manage to get Nvidia's proprietary drivers included in the OS? This is very strange that Nvidia allows this but does not allow the inclusion of their proprietary drivers in Linux.

Where is the 64-bit version though? Wouldn't it be possible to make an AMD64 version of PC-BSD and include both 32-bit and 64-bit web browsers like Windows XP x64 Edition and 64-bit Vista do?

masinick reviewed v1.3.3_1 on Mar 16, 2007

This is what BSD desktop systems, or any system, for that matter, ought to be like! You do not have to be an expert to use it, but you can still get deeply into BSD if you REALLY want to!

For the typical desktop user, you just plunk in the CD, answer a few questions, and after it takes a typical amount of time for a CD loading new system software, it is up and running. Operating it, using it, and even upgrading it, are effortless, simply a matter of clicking desktop icons, task bar entries or pull down menus. You still have command line access if you really want it or need it, but the default is that you can simply do your work, yet have a really solid system beneath you!

No longer a reason to choose between easy to use and solid engineering. This has both, and it gets better with every incremental release!

solid45 reviewed v1.3.3_1 on Mar 7, 2007

Loaded for me the first time on an old Dell 450 with 384 megs and it runs great! I highly recommend this.

P.S. KDE Rules (except for Mac OSX) Gnome sux.

robmanic44 reviewed v1.3.3 on Feb 16, 2007

I'm envious of anyone that can actually load this on the first try. I took four shots at it and it's still shakey. Of course it's secure, who the hell would be hacking it.

Nehemoth reviewed v1.3 on Jan 2, 2007

Very cool, Fast, secure and Looks Amazing.

course i prefer Gnome over KDE but thats all, i can live with it.

And amazing product and getting better

twanj reviewed v1.3 Beta 1 on Oct 19, 2006

Probably the most friendly Unix distribution, and getting better with every release.

Don Juan reviewed v1.2 on Jul 14, 2006

Wish they wouldn't strip so many of the default drivers out of the kernel, can't even get a USB mouse to work on some computers. And if I have to get a standard FreeBSD install disc and do the install the long way, that totally defeats the purpose.

Prospero424 reviewed v1.2 on Jul 13, 2006

Very cool software.

I noticed these three things in their roadmap for the 1.4 release:

# Control Panel - PPPOE Setup Wizard
# Control Panel - Firewall GUI
# Control Panel - Services Manager

And all I can say is "it's about damned time". Some of my *nix friends are convinced that actually implementing such things in BSD can be interpreted as the opening of the seventh seal, and the four horsemen can't be far behind.

Godspeed, devs. Great work.

Don Juan reviewed v1.2 Beta on Jul 5, 2006

Very good product. I've actually managed to get several friends to switch over to this for their PC's that they don't play games on, instead of pirated copies of windows. Only thing I've got to say against it is that there still isn't a whole lot of PBI's available, which are important for the people with no *nix experience.

Just noticed that they revamped pbidir.com, their site for downloading PC-BSD software installers. Looks nice.

Ulmo reviewed v1.0 RC1 on Nov 13, 2005

Very impressive.
Easy to install and seems to work great.
I keep it definitively beside my Win 2003 and Mandriva 2006.

kanenas reviewed v1.0 RC1 on Nov 11, 2005

it seems very promising

the desktop edition of "the server os"