Finally migrated from Windows to Linux. For anyone wondering, what is the state of Linux as your primary OS for home PC\laptop in 2023.
I’ve finalised my Archlinux installation yesterday, I dropped of Linux more than 10 years ago and experience in 2023 in comparison is awesome and beyond even wildest dreams back then:
- For average user looking for more out of the box experience I would suggest something Arch based (people in comments suggest EndeavourOS, please do your research). Archlinux installation took me quite some time
- Almost everything works out of the box, by just installing corresponding package
- KDE Plasma environment is fast and beautiful
- Pipewire audio server (Jack\Pulseaudio replacement) works great
- Wayland window server is not there yet, especially if you have Nvidia with proprietary drivers and want to use VR. Waking up, session restoration and other scenarios have issues. Use X11.
- Wine is great!
- Music making - Bitwig Studio DAW has linux native version, yabridge allow you to use windows VSTs, which are easily installed via wine
- Gaming works out of the box with Steam for majority of titles, some games have native linux version. Performance is great. In worst case windows game might loose 5-15% in performance. Was not case for my titles
- Gaming outside steam is fine too. Use Wine, Lutris, Proton
- VR is a mixed bag. Not everything is there (Desktop view, sound control and mirroring, camera, motions smooth, lighthouses do not wake up os go to sleep. I use my phone to turn them on/off). But if its not the problem for you, quite some titles work. Tried: native HF Alyx, Lab, windows: Beat Saber and Boneworks. For me it’s a surprise, I did not count on it. Performance is great.
So overall my experience is great. Eventually I’m going to get rid of WIndows on other computers and laptops at howe. I can finally wave goodbye to Windows, with lots of ads and bloatware. Alway glad to help with answers regarding installation while my memory and history logs are fresh. ^^
I use Linux at work because Windows has too many “annoyances that will curb [my] productivity”. I can understand that it is not for everybody though.
Yeah, sure. Thing is: it isn’t for:
Linux desktop is great, I love it but I don’t sugar coat it nor I’m delusional like most people I see here.
If you live in a bubble where you don’t have to collaborate with anyone else and you can use native Linux apps things might work, you might have a decent workflow and get stuff done but once you’ve to collaborate with other who use Windows/Mac it’s game over.
When you get/install Windows you pay a minimal license and get things working out of the box without further issues. Getting software to run is easy all vendors support whatever you’re trying to do and you get very high productivity from day zero. There are annoyances from time to time, sure, but they’re way fewer and simpler to deal with than the hoops you’ve to go through to get a minimal and viable/productive desktop experience on Linux. And I’m even talking about all the situations where you’ve to collaborate with others and the “alternatives” aren’t just up to it.
It all comes down to a question of how much time (days?) you want spend fixing shit in one platform that will be working out of the box in another one for a minimal fee. If you buy a Windows license and spend the time you would’ve spent dealing with Linux compatibility issues doing your actual job you’ll, most likely, get a better ROI.
TL;DR regular folks who require apps designed for windows.
So… everyone that has to work with others and play some games? :D