Great incentive to move to Linux for a university student.
Great incentive to move to Linux for a university student.
Hi, in few mounths I'm gonna be studying computer science/physics/mathematics and engineering, i'm fairely competent in physics/eng and mathematics, not so much when it comes computer science ... Knowing all that is there a good reason to go with linux on a new laptop, or should I just stick with win10, (I don't know much about alternative OSs) Thanks for reading.
With Windows 10 you already have solid access and works well with most programs. I haven’t tried Linux because I prefer staying with what I know without starting from scratch.
The main reasons to change would be if you're bothered by the privacy issues linked to Windows 10 or if you plan to work with Linux or server environments (servers usually use Linux). Beyond that, I don’t see a strong motivation to switch unless you’re specifically drawn to Linux. I’d consider dual-booting so you can choose between them at any time. If you prefer, you can remove the Linux setup and return the space to Windows if needed.
Absolutely consider testing Linux. The programs you're learning often rely heavily on Linux tools. Many research and academic computers run Linux systems. I suggest Linux for its security benefits. It also offers great flexibility through customization and free software options. Why stick with Windows and Microsoft Office when you can use Linux and LibreOffice? Both are significantly faster. The only drawback is that some programs might not function properly on Windows. I’d recommend dual booting your laptop to keep Windows available. Ubuntu or Linux Mint are excellent starting points. You could even explore Ubuntu on a budget-friendly Raspberry Pi 3 for around $35.
linux is ideal for older systems. it’s lightweight compared to windows, open source, and free for those with a substantial budget. you may need some time to learn how to use it, but help and tips are available. there are many forums where people share advice, and friends who have experience can be valuable. you could also try virtual machines or tools like WINE if you have suitable hardware.
As noted by others, Dual Boot remains a viable choice. Previously, I configured this way so that upon booting to Linux the Windows partitions appear as extra drives, making it straightforward to navigate files between the two systems (at least in one direction). You can also reduce the Linux partition size by keeping most of your data on the Windows drive (or D drive).
Alternatively, you could employ virtualisation tools like Virtualbox or Vagrant to run a Linux environment. This keeps your primary operating system intact and maintains its boot process. Another benefit is the ability to reset or swap the Linux installation easily if needed, allowing you to test different configurations.
If you need a full desktop experience, consider using Linux Mint within VirtualBox (https://www.virtualbox.org/). For VMs that run only in the terminal, CentOS on Vagrant (https://www.vagrantup.com/) is a solid option. The minimal ISO provides a lightweight VM and a quick introduction to package management. For more detailed instructions, see this guide: https://www.sitepoint.com/getting-starte...t-windows/.
If you prefer a simpler setup, I recommend Linux Mint at work; it feels less intrusive than Ubuntu, and most resources still apply. We also frequently use CentOS Vagrant boxes for our development setups.
In my area of medical research, I don’t engage with those subjects. But here’s what I suggest: Start by understanding the basics—there’s no universal "Linux." Although all Linux-based distributions share the core kernel, their design and features differ greatly. I’ve tried various Ubuntu-like systems and feel fairly comfortable with them, though not as deeply as with Windows. Then I moved to Arch-based Linux, which was an interesting but challenging transition. It wasn’t easy, but it was rewarding. When choosing a distribution, consider what you’re working on. For beginners, simpler options like Ubuntu or Debian are best. The Arch community is more welcoming than some others. As for dual-booting, it’s not the ideal balance—you’ll still need to learn both systems. From a technical standpoint, focus on which programs your institution uses for statistics and similar subjects. That should help you decide if Linux is right for you. Besides that, exploring alternatives or direct Linux versions can save you trouble later. I personally rely heavily on Ubuntu/Arch for school tasks and would highly recommend it as a hobby, but for academic purposes, you’ll need to commit. Also, keep in mind that using non-academic software might limit your support if something fails. This extra effort should be weighed carefully. Hope this gives you a clearer direction!
Choosing Linux seems worthwhile, but you likely won’t need a new computer. Consider dual-booting a clean Linux distribution such as Linux Mint. Since you’ll be studying Python, it makes sense to familiarize yourself with it on Linux. Learning Linux will benefit you in the long run!