Stuck choosing between Linux (popOS) and Windows?
Stuck choosing between Linux (popOS) and Windows?
Hi, over the past two months I've been trying hard to adapt to Linux (PopOS) as my main operating system after spending most of my time on Windows since version 3.11. I've experimented with Mint Cinnamon 13 and higher, as well as Knoppix for a day or so. Honestly, after some initial confusion about basic functions—see previous posts—I managed to get things working smoothly enough. I could still surf the web, watch Netflix, listen to music, and play games through Steam, which is fine for me most of the time (about 80%). But now I'm facing a lot of trouble with other tasks. For example, getting my DJ controller buttons to respond properly via "mixx" is really frustrating. It seems to recognize some inputs but requires entering the matrix manually using the terminal, which is confusing. After trying to fix it for two and a half hours without success, I'm starting to feel really stuck. I know terminal can be powerful if used right, but for beginners it feels overwhelming. I appreciate how fast Linux is on my old PC (I5 2500, SSD, RAM), and how useful programs like PULSE are. The repository is huge, and the Gnome interface feels more user-friendly than Windows to me. Still, when I switch to other apps or devices, I have to install drivers, plug things in, and figure it all out—often spending hours just searching online. It's tiring because Linux seems to offer so many options but also a lot of unnecessary complexity. I'm not sure if I'm using the right distribution, and I'm considering whether Windows might actually be better for me. As someone who mainly plays games, I'd love an OS that handles everything smoothly without constant troubleshooting. P.S..... Sorry for the long explanations, but I find it easier to read in this format.
Would it help if the car, the brakes and the mechanic's advice were free? ^^ No, there are some variations in how different Linux distributions work for an advanced user, but when it comes to plug-and-play setup, PopOS is quite solid. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your perspective) Linux often needs some manual tweaks to fit your workflow; with time and practice, everything becomes much smoother. Initially, the first few months can feel a bit challenging. If you wish to master using the terminal effectively, just start using it. Whenever a task seems doable in the terminal, try figuring out the best way to do it that way. You'll become comfortable quickly.