Should I use Linux instead of Windows?

[Xdqwerty]

I'm using Windows 8.1 and I heard Linux is a lot better, and I saw that everyone here uses Linux, but i'm afraid of switching to Linux since i'm very used to Windows, and i have understood a lot of programs arent compatible with Linux and you have to write code to install the ones that are compatible

 

[ZenIsFluffy]

"No way! People out there use the computer different from me? How dare they!! What would the trillion-dollar corporation think??"

Been running Linux for years and had very minimal issues. I keep windows on an extra drive for VR, since I have a Windows Mixed Reality headset. Otherwise. I play all my games on Linux with little to no issues. I did 5 years worth of college courses on a Linux laptop as well. And back then I was still gaming on Linux. Even before Proton.

 

[The Catboy]

If it's clear you need some glasses because I use Mint on my pos outdated laptop. Also pretty sure my Android devices are Linux based. It has it's purpose.
Linux has always had attention, although very little. You people been saying since day one how it's going to take over Windows. If it was so amazing for a FREE OS, it would have happened years ago. It's been 33 years. Yet people still paying for Windows over the free option with tons of distros to pick from.

I was unaware I was in your room to see the OS you use on your POS laptop. Have you considered maybe your POS laptop is why your gaming experience isn't good on Linux? I use a Steam Deck and all of my games work with SteamOS, with very few needing a little extra work.

Outside of me advocating for Linux, can you actually quote me saying those words? I've never said anything like that because unless Microsoft officially kills Windows, it will always dominate due to Microsoft's deals with manufacturers.

That all aside and your weird Window fanboying aside, I do hope the OP tries Linux out. Chances are high they are going to enjoy it over whatever Microsoft is farting out with the latest Windows 11 updates.

 

[JustABadger]

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[Xdqwerty]

Most of what I do is on Firefox. Is it the same for you? Do you use any program outside of it?

I play mostly play games when i'm not browsing

 

[JustABadger]

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[BasedKiliK]

I just threw Bazzite on my desktop after finally being fed up with Windows, and I'm honestly shook at how stable and performant the whole system is. I haven't had a single issue with a game at all other than the obvious anti-cheat ones, so much so that even bits of stuttering I felt on Windows is gone with those same titles. Even VRR works across all 3 of my displays.

I still keep a small install of Windows 11 for those few titles that need it, but I now do 90% of my work and gaming on Linux. I've used it before in the past with distros like Mint and Manjaro, but with Bazzite (Fedora Kionite with additional gaming packages) everything just works. My hardware isn't old either, so I at least expected some compatibility issues, but literally nothing.

I implore y'all to give it a shot, even just to mess around with. Sometimes we don't realize how much greener the grass is on the other side, until we actually touch it.

 

[AkiraKurusu]

Yes, but no.
Windows is the only OS with native EXE support, for things like WeMod and save editors and stuff, and practically all games are primarily designed for Windows - on the other hand, Windows is becoming increasingly filled with spyware and bloatware, whereas (most) Linux distros wouldn't be.

 

[OilFreak]

Windows is getting worse, Linux is getting better. You'll run into issues with AAA multiplayer games (other than Valve games), but 99% of games run without issue.

 

[Xdqwerty]

@BG2CNT said that my cpu can only barely run Linux mint xcfe and now i'm not sure if I should install it

 

[BigOnYa]

@BG2CNT said that my cpu can only barely run Linux mint xcfe and now i'm not sure if I should install it

Its only been since December... I'd think about it first a little more. Lol jk, I'd stick with windows if I was you.

 

[KleinesSinchen]

I did that a while ago and it either

1. Worked but way too slow
2. Didnt work at all

Virtualization has a certain overhead. I've been using it on good desktop hardware build/bought 2006 with the Xen hypervisor and with VirtualBox… while having full disk encryption active using a CPU without hardware AES. It was slow/boring, but manageable.
If possible verify virtualization technology is activated in BIOS/UEFI (laptops tend to have fewer settings so it might be not adjustable). Pure software solutions are really slow.

*Sigh* There was a time when I installed operating systems out of boredom and out of interest just for trying things out.

@BG2CNT said that my cpu can only barely run Linux mint xcfe and now i'm not sure if I should install it

Your CPU? Can barely handle Linux+XFCE?
Man reading a sentence like this hurts. Linux was initially developed for the 80386 CPU. Software bloat takes a toll… Different topic.

Don't overthink it! Just have some fun!

If you don't want or can't use VirtualBox, then get an additional SSD, remove your Windows HDD/SSD and start on the new, empty disk. You can only win/learn in that process. A lightweight desktop environment like Xfce or LXDE should run on weaker hardware.

Please look at my laptop here:

Acer Aspire 3000
Mobile AMD Sempron 3000+ single core 32 Bit CPU, 2GB DDR1 RAM
SiS Graphics 760/M760 (That was already some piece of garbage when it was new!)

Running last 32 Bit Ubuntu 18.04.6 with LXDE desktop, Ubuntu (Pro support enabled which means updates are still available until 2028).

This was a lowest end laptop in the year 2006 and it can run Firefox and LibreOffice at the same time without much trouble. I've not yet tried running VirtualBox since the CPU does not have virtualization technology at all. But the mad scientist in me just typed apt install virtualbox…… →

 

[Xdqwerty]

If you don't want or can't use VirtualBox, then get an additional SSD

Too expensive

 

[KleinesSinchen]

Too expensive

Man, I'd give you one for free if I could. *pushes SSD against the internet cable*

Quick search on amazon.com delivered

A quality USB thumb drive or SD card could work for some time, but it might corrupt and fail if (ab)used for running an OS.

 

[Xdqwerty]

Man, I'd give you one for free if I could. *pushes SSD against the internet cable*

Quick search on amazon.com delivered
View attachment 460158
View attachment 460159



A quality USB thumb drive or SD card could work for some time, but it might corrupt and fail if (ab)used for running an OS.

I do have an USB but I only use it to install games onto my PS3, I also have a micro sd card but it only has a maximum of about 6 gb

 

[BG2CNT]

@BG2CNT said that my cpu can only barely run Linux mint xcfe and now i'm not sure if I should install it

it's better than windows 10 tho

 

[KleinesSinchen]

I could not resist and it took a few hours, but now Windows 2000 is running alongside Ubuntu 18.04 on that abysmal, sad excuse of a computer.



That should answer the question if virtualization is an option for trying out some Linux distros. If my laptop can handle VirtualBox in pure software mode this should be no problem. Of course actual usability (permanent intense usage) depends on your computer.

This little adventure brought me back to the past, to better times. Maybe I should now try running Windows 10 →


Good luck and happy trying operating systems.

 

[Xdqwerty]

I could not resist and it took a few hours, but now Windows 2000 is running alongside Ubuntu 18.04 on that abysmal, sad excuse of a computer.

View attachment 460208

That should answer the question if virtualization is an option for trying out some Linux distros. If my laptop can handle VirtualBox in pure software mode this should be no problem. Of course actual usability (permanent intense usage) depends on your computer.

This little adventure brought me back to the past, to better times. Maybe I should now try running Windows 10 →


Good luck and happy trying operating systems.

I still don't know why it ran slow or didnt work at all on my end

 

[DinohScene]

Puppy Linux is a thing.
Designed to run on old shit hardware.

 

[ScarletDreamz]

@Xdqwerty is there a reason why you want linux?

 

[Xdqwerty]

@Xdqwerty is there a reason why you want linux?

1. I use Windows 8.1 which is outdated
2. Everyone here uses Linux