difference between 1.7x64 vs 1.8x64

[ranjan]

I am a new linux user & I started with 1.8x64
I need to reinstall 1.8 but got to know that 1.7 offers both Gnome & KDE at the time of login so I can use both as & when i need it.

So Instead of 1.8, I want to try 1.7
What all is the difference between the 2 version, is it speed or the applications.

[DaddyX3]

1.7 is Gusty Gibbon based, 1.8 is Hardy Heron based - so in turn, 1.8 is a little faster and has more hardware detection. If you don't mind a little loss of performance and if you have a computer without all the latest and greatest hardware installed then running 1.7 will work well for you. As far as installed apps are concerned, I don't think that there is a whole lot of difference. There may be a few additional apps installed stock on 1.8, but not sure which ones. Either way, you would be able to install them from apt or synaptic. 1.7 has multiple releases in itself, there is a gnome only version as well as a combo version with gnome and kde desktops installed (I think XFCE and sawfish are installed also). There is a 64-bit and 32 bit version. Hope that might clear up a few questions for you.