I’ve always used Windows and am super comfortable with it. I have set up a dual boot with fedora but don’t use it because I have never identified a need to use it. I see a lot of windows hate, so what does Linux have that I need? What can motivate me to migrate? What is a good Linux to have for a desktop + steam?
I have never identified a need to use it
Don’t use linux.
We‘re on a linux community and someone says they don’t see the need to use it and people will upvote „don’t use linux“.
I‘m exceptionally baffled. Why does one say this, why without context, what was the intension? So many questions.
I for one think you don’t need a reason to use linux. Just get rid of people making money off your back thats reason enough.
This very much.
The reason I switched was the forced updates that kept slowing down my computer when I needed the juice and network. Also there was a constant pressure to “upgrade” to win11.
OP, If you don’t have many major grievances with windows, it might not be worth switching. Nothing stopping you from taking a look in case you might like it. I have enjoyed my experience so far, despite some small issues.
It’s hard to have a clean windows install. Forced update? Now you have a weather widget. Installed an app? New icon on desktop. Don’t use onedrive? Fuck you here’s the unremovable shortcut in filexplorer.
When I switched I was just curious. (Love to tinker with something for hours) But now I think the other way round. Why switch to a non open source OS when I can do everything on a free one (both meanings). Granted professional work is still very much reliant on special software made for windows
I mean, curiosity is good enough reason. Worked for me some 15 years ago.
A good place to start is Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop download option.
For a normal Desktop user nowadays I think Linux is just not worse than Windows. Don’t ask what Linux can do what Windows can’t, ask what Windows is doing what Linux isn’t: Spying on you, installing software you neither want nor need, forces you to use software you don’t want, forces you to connect your local account with an online account, forces recent hardware on you and in the future, forces you to move all your data into the cloud. And all that while charging you a few hundred moneys. Linux just doesn’t do that (well, depending on the distro of course).
For newcomers and non-techies I’d recommend Ubuntu or Ubuntu based distros. Plain Ubuntu is the distro which in most parts ‘just works’. If you’re looking for something which looks more like Windows have a look at Linux Mint Cinnamon. Linux Mint Mate (or XFCE) is a great choice if your computer is a bit older. I also mention Kubuntu because KDE is the a very popular desktop but rather demanding (but also feature rich), it may also feel more natural for people switching from Windows.
All of them will run Steam without trouble, but be aware that playing Windows games on Linux can in some cases be troublesome and require manual fixes. Maybe look beforehand which games are supported how well on https://www.protondb.com/ .
@Seltsamsel @SendMePhotos
I’ve had issues with plain Ubuntu but never have I had an issue with Linux Mint. Works perfect out the box. Even Debian edition.
There are billions of possible hardware configurations and billions of use cases for an OS. No OS will ever be able to work on all of these combinations flawlessly, I’m just saying that on average you have the best chances of everything working out of the box if using Ubuntu and even if not, there are the best chances that you find help online for your problem on Ubuntu, but there are of course cases where other distros will be better suited.
I’ll preface this with: If you like Windows and don’t particularly care for Linux experiences, that’s ok. Not everyone needs to use Linux - the world is more interesting with variety.
For me, I hate when my computer does things that I don’t tell it to. I also hate ads. These, along with but really using it for a decade were deal breakers for me with windows.
Some things that Linux has that Windows does not:
- Native package managers: Realize that you need to use an image editor and don’t have one installed? You can just install it with your distro’s package manager. It will usually take care of any dependencies and make it easy to update or uninstall if you decide you want to. Some distros have particularly massive offerings in their package repos.
- Freely customizeable UI: Tired of how your system looks and want to try something else? Install a tiling window manager through the package manager. Or, maybe Gnome or KDE or XFCE. Huge amounts of customization in your GUI are possible.
- Programming: Interested in programming? Install some development tooling through the package manager.
- Embedded Programming: Interested in programming but want it to be more physically tangible or automate parts of your home? Setup the Arduino IDE, or Mu, or go old school and use vim/emacs. Then, compile and push it out to your microcontroller. Or, you can use something like Blinka on a Raspberry Pi or similar SBC and directly interact with sensors and devices across the built-in GPIO pins.
- Tinkering: Enjoy just poking about? The kernel being open-source means that its APIs are well documented and you can find lots of tools to tweak your system’s behavior or do so yourself.
- Job opportunities: The Internet runs primarily on Linux servers. If you’re interested in tech work, getting familiar with Linux can’t hurt.
- Tux: What is Windows’ mascot? A window? How about an awesome penguin? Distros and DEs often also have their own, like a chameleon, wildebeest, or dragons (2/3 of the examples can readily smash a window while the other one could at least get an E for Effort and scream at it in german).
For distros that work well with steam, I definitely suggest Linux Mint or Ubuntu for beginners. They’re just way more “batteries included”. However, if you could also give SteamOS, the distro developed by Valve (on top of Debian) a try and it will probably work quite well.
Most of all, have fun, whether you decide to take Linux for a spin or not.
the main reason are package managers, since the package managers on linux are much easier to use than winget(the one in windows). apart from that, there are not many other reasons to switch.
I love that winget exists but it’s not really comparable. I think it doesn’t really do dependencys of if it does the packages don’t really use that. Also the packages are still stuck in the windows mindset of having to update on their own with each having their own update service
