cross-posted from: https://discuss.online/post/34247715
Curious on the experiences of those recently migrating to Linux from Windows 10, Intel-based MacOS, etc. How is it being on Linux? Anything surprise or frustrate you?
I switches to Pop!OS on my laptop that I didt use so much until now and its been solid and reliable for 99% of everything ive needed to do. Later switched my desktop to Bazzite and its been a wonderful experience. I did have a little bit of stuttering on beefier games but I mostly play middle graphics games and those were a non issue. Maybe 1-2 games I have wont run? Intel and nvidia is probably more of the reason.
I havent even looked back at windows at this point
Switched to Linux around the time Windows 11 was first announced to be a mandatory update, and all the bullshit about security.
I started out with Ubuntu, now I’ve been using Bazzite for over a year.
The programs I use, Gimp, Krita, Blender3D, Audacity, OBS, all have Linux native versions, and are generally part of the FOSS community anyway. Well, except for Audacity right now…
So my artistic work hasn’t been hindered in the least.
Games are a slightly different story. I switched from an nVidia GTX 1060 6GB to an Intel Arc A770. Overall a significant upgrade, but there are issues. Some I had with Blender3D not recognising the card (something that was largely solved by switching distro). Other problems still persist, specifically with Intel Arc, Linux, and UE5.
UE5 is an absolute hateable bitch and some combination of Linux and Intel Arc provides no end of trouble. I still can’t get certain games to run (i.e. Oblivion Remastered).
80% of tools and tasks take about 20% more effort to get set up how I’d like them, which is fine - and even usually better because I can customize it more. However 20% of tools and tasks take 8,000% more effort to even work correctly, and I give up on half of them.
I did it in December. I had tried to run dual-boot many times in the last decade, but always ended up back at Windows (gaming was part of this). This time, I do not think I will going back.
I chose Pop OS because of support for Nvidia GPUs and out-of-the-box flatpak integration. It was a bit frustrating at first because the new Cosmic DE is rather buggy. But I switched to KDE and things are smooth now. If I could go back, I’d probably install Kubuntu (or maybe Fedora KDE)
Some things that have frustrated me:
- Getting RDP to work took some struggles, and KDE is very laggy through RDP. Instead I make RDP boot into XFCE.
- Updated my graphics drivers and all my games stopped working. Turns out this was because I had to accordingly update Flatpak stuff so that the container and my system would be synchronized.
- The game I currently play most (Elden Ring Nightreign) has some brief moments of intense stuttering. I think this is because of EAC— I did not have the problem in Windows. But this is bearable. Also, screen-sharing in Discord seems to cause much more performance degradation than on Windows.
- Zoom on Linux isn’t as good as Zoom on Windows (lacking features, a bit buggy).
- I don’t like (/know how to use Libreoffice). Not really a big problem because I mostly use LaTeX.
- Thunderbird doesn’t play super great with Microsoft Exchange, even though support has been added. I miss the outlook app (I mostly use outlook.com now).
Good things:
- I enjoy no longer being on Windows 11. From Explorer freezing randomly, to idling at like 16GB of RAM, to search not working unless I used task manager to end explorer.exe, I had enough.
- I very much enjoy being able to update everything through terminal in a few clicks.
- I like being in control of my own hardware again.
I’ve no regrets. I just wish I could also make the switch on my laptop. However, for whatever reason, my trackpad becomes intermittently sluggish on Ubuntu/Pop (I’ve tried both). None of the solutions online (XPS 9510) seem to work. If I ever purchase another laptop, I will be sure to get one with better Linux support.
Its been 8-10 months I think. I haven’t had any major problems that weren’t caused or complicated by my own ignorance of Linux as a whole. I’ve learned a lot. I have gotten every game I wanted to play so far to run, one way or another. I set up my own home lab server for streaming and cloud storage complete with a VPN to allow remote access. I have also set up a Windows VM for some stubborn software that my partner uses from time to time (I honestly thought this would be harder than it was.) I also am in the process of indoctrinating several coworkers. I’m currently running 1 PC with Bazzite, 1 with fedora KDE, 2 with Mint, and a server running Ubuntu server and using casaOS as an interface.
I’ve really enjoyed the learning curve. My future plans were to change my server from CasaOS to something else, and to build a new gaming PC and try CachyOS, but that might get put to the side while hardware prices cool off a bit.
Its about 2 years with Linux on my laptop and about 1 year full time on all my devices, besides my work laptop with runs w11.
I run KDE neon on both. I distro hopped around from Ubuntu, fedora, mint, KDE, pop but ended up with KDE again. I feel like it does not matter anymore what de or distro I use. I need my browser and a terminal and my tools, then i can work.
Its nice having a reminder every time I am working with windows that I did the correct choice.
There are some bugs, but at least tgjey are mine now.
Only thing I miss, is ableton. I did not dabble in it with wine or winboat too much, but that’s the only thing I miss.
But worth it. I stand behind the idiology and got a few other people around me to switch
These few month been relatively smooth sailing. Lot of unlearning and recognizing just how limiting windows was in comparison.
I tried helping a friend with windows recently and immediate felt like I was back in the gulag, so yeah I think Im here for good
Switched from macOS a year ago due to end life support, got the hang of the system after distro hopping for a while
Now I use Manjaro on a handheld 😝 never using macOS or Windows againHonestly it worked so well I often forget I’m a new user
Vast improvements. No regrets. Still working through a few growing pains, though.
What are the few growing pains?
Tell you what, I’ll just link a couple of recent posts/comments from elsewhere:
Dropped Mac, iPhone and all US (cloud) services after 20 years in the Apple Universe.
Was using Linux Mint first and just bought a brand new Tuxedo Laptop in November and am using Tuxedo OS now which is a Ubuntu LTS fork with KDE Plasma and Flatpak instead of Snap.
I am really happy with my decision and not looking back. I feel like I have control over my stuff again and my computer is listening to me instead of forcing me to do things in a specific way that Apple deems correct.
My phone is a Graphene OS for now until Postmarket OS or Ubuntu Touch are usuable and I am self hosting everything I need on Proxmox / Podman and I have a TrueNAS Server with a 64TB Raid running.
How was switching up the phone? I’ve been on linux for 10 years, but I still use android because I’ve found the switch via the phone to be far more intimidating.
If you already use Android, Graphene is even easier than switching to Linux. It’s a very well-polished, well documented, and just a dead-ass simple process.
I actually cut out all distractions besides Lemmy, so I reduced phone usage by 2/3rds in the process.
I went form an iPhone 15 to a Pixel 6 that I got for free and it does everything I need. I am not a slave to my phone anymore, I just use it as a tool when actually needed - not as as a distraction machine.
not as as a distraction machine.
Yeah I’ve got a steam deck for that.
How about connectivity/ usability? Have you had any issues with particular apps or functionality?
Nope everything works. I have one profile with play services for my banking apps, but everything else runs in my daily profile that has no play services and no GPS, just the barebones and all apps installed via Obtainium.
I switched to FOSS apps for everything really.
What pixel would you recommend? Is the one you used sufficient?
It’s good enough for me, but will only be supported for about 10 months.
Your best bet is to get a 9 or 10 at this time.
I’ve been looking at a new phone myself, and also came to the pixel + graphene solution after doing some research. Best bang for your buck, performance-wise vs any phone capable of alternate OS (even if it is android based).
For an extra answer, GrapheneOS is based on stock Android, in contrast to the Linux-phone options they mentioned. Since it’s only (officially) supported on Pixel phones and focuses on security and privacy more than other customization, it’s actually the most stable and easy transition I’ve made, coming from an Android phone already. Installer is super easy compared to other phone OSs I’ve tried, you can do it by connecting the phone to a computer, opening https://grapheneos.org/install/web , and just pressing buttons to do all the normally-complicated steps. I was very impressed with that.
It’s been about two months, smooth sailing so far. No regrets. Running EndeavourOS with KDE Plasma, blender, reaper, steam and GoG, discord and a web app to use whatsapp. Have not missed windows one bit. I’m slowly learning more as I go, but so far the much boogified Arch has been easy to get going with Endeavour, and I haven’t run into any unmanageable problems so far.
I simply adore that the only programs on my PC are ones that I want on it.
Switched from w11 to bazzite for personal use (still have to use windows for work) and it’s been great. Wish there were a few pieces of software with native Linux support so I could switch for work too.
Working nice, no real problems. I am using Fedora. Still forced to use a virtual windows machine (actually a docker image) to make python exe for windows and to use excel (via winapps).
Only thing I didn’t get to is to set a good backup strategy yo be able to easily restore previous state if anything broke. It’s possible but ask for too much time to do it properly. Which there was an alternative to macrium reflects for windows.
I know there is time machine but my sub volumes are not named the way time machine is expecting.
It would be nice to have an easy app setting it all up!It’s a breath of fresh air and a real productivity boost. It’s been ages since I’ve been so enthusiastic and passionate about pc’s.
