Other options for an intuitive operating system include alternatives to Microsoft.
Other options for an intuitive operating system include alternatives to Microsoft.
Recently I've been thinking about switching away from Microsoft's control. This decision stems from my desire to shift focus toward more meaningful aspects of life rather than intense gaming. It appears most of the games I enjoy can run on Mac and Linux Mint. I might be able to transfer my favorite game, Planetside 2, to a Mac, though I doubt it would work on Linux. Fortunately, Rocket League is now available for MacOS and Linux, and I suspect Minecraft should also be compatible if Microsoft doesn't interfere. Beyond that, the majority of my other titles should function properly, including Insurgency, World of Tanks, Shovel Knight, Stardew Valley, CSGO, Bit Blaster XL, and TF2. The premium choice would be to wait a few more years and upgrade my PC to a ~$1,500 Mac, but I've grown quite fond of Apple's products from my iPhone experience, especially their 4k/5k displays compared to my older 1080p monitor. Alternatively, I'm considering Linux Mint as a more affordable alternative. I plan to set up a trial system using an older AMD Athlon B28 and a supercharged Nvidia EVGA GT 740 (4GB RAM). The CPU isn't top-notch, but it should suffice for testing. I'll need a new motherboard and possibly more RAM if one spare PSU remains functional. If the OS meets my needs and feels manageable for everyday use, I might eventually invest in a more robust setup. What are your thoughts? Did I miss anything significant?
I share Banana's view. I wouldn't just abandon Windows instantly—just consider a dual boot setup, as recommended. It simplifies the switch.
I was searching for a reason to put those older parts together. It would only cost around fifty dollars, and I even have an older monitor ready. If I wanted to run dual boot, I’d likely use my Mom’s old laptop instead.
Ubuntu offers a similar ease of use to Mint these days. I previously used Mint on most of my devices, but recently switched to a standard Ubuntu setup. Sometimes it feels more straightforward than Mint, as installing things in Mint can be quite challenging for beginners. With Ubuntu, you simply mark a file as executable and double-click it—though this depends on the specific file. Past issues with Mint have been common, and managing access to NAS or servers becomes much smoother once you adapt. It might just be personal preferences, but Ubuntu is a solid alternative. Many online resources are tailored for Ubuntu, so you’ll likely find guidance there if you try Mint.