Switching to Linux
Switching to Linux
Hey there! I'm a Windows user and keep hearing about Linux. I'm curious—how does Linux compare to Windows? Do I need a Windows VM to play games on Linux? If yes, how would I set it up? I have a laptop with an Intel i7 and 6GB RAM. Thanks all!
I used Ubuntu before, and I realized there are many Linux distros such as Ubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint, Raspberry Pi OS, etc., each with its own style. Many people think Ubuntu feels similar to Windows—there’s an explorer, files, a desktop, etc. Updates can be installed on demand. Playing DVDs isn’t straightforward because Linux is free and lacks the rights to play DVDs or Blue-Rays. Compared to Windows, Ubuntu boots and shuts down much faster in my experience. With a dual boot setup or USB boot, Windows can’t see Linux, but Linux can view Windows files if they aren’t encrypted. In Linux, there isn’t just one admin account; you have root, which is the privileged user. As a regular user, you can become root when needed, but you’re not always in that position. Linux lets you do far more through the command line than on Windows.
—it’s about having more control, mainly. Linux gives you significantly more flexibility compared to Windows. There are pros and cons, but the biggest advantage is that you can accomplish tasks that aren’t possible on Windows. The main drawback is that certain functions only exist in Linux, which means you need to learn those specifics. Linux tends to be more intuitive than Windows, especially for those who understand how systems work. Investing time in learning it makes it much more effective. If you skip the effort and just use it casually, it can become confusing.
Whether you need a VM depends on your project. For most applications, it’s unnecessary. The exception is if you’re developing something that requires a Linux wrapper—then you can create one yourself. You can share it with others, making it easier to distribute. This is how wrappers are built, like the many available for Steam. If you have a Steam account and see a Linux icon, you likely won’t need a VM. A VM would only be useful for Steam games that don’t have the Linux icon. If your games are all on Steam with the Linux icon, you’ll run smoothly without any extra setup.
Better reflects personal taste. With Linux you can refresh the entire operating system, drivers, and software using just a few commands in the terminal. It offers a lot of customization options. If you don’t like the default desktop, you can switch it. You can try different kernels by installing multiple versions and switching between them. For gaming, Steam has games that run smoothly on Linux. Proton can add more titles, while Wine will help too. You also have choices like virtual machines or dual booting. Sometimes Linux works best as a lightweight option. In certain situations you’ll need to use the command line to achieve results. Driving hardware can be tricky; sometimes you must rely on workarounds or accept limitations. Not every device comes with Linux drivers, so testing a live CD is often a good idea first.
Linux offers numerous advantages. The main benefit is its lower resource consumption compared to Windows. This allows older devices, like a 10-year-old laptop that can no longer run Windows 10, to remain functional with alternative operating systems. There are various distributions available, each representing different versions or styles—similar to having multiple updates of Microsoft’s OS side by side, letting users pick their preferred one. For gaming enthusiasts, Pop OS based on Ubuntu is a solid option, while Mint offers a more Windows-like experience and also runs Debian-based setups. Playing games has become simpler and more stable, especially when all necessary software is pre-installed in a distro such as Pop OS. If your preferred title isn’t available on Steam, Linux platforms like Lutris provide excellent support for gaming. Not every game requires additional packages; many run natively, making the experience smoother.
A common way to compare the three major operating systems is their learning curves. A steeper curve means more functionality once mastered, but it also requires more effort to climb. MacOS offers the gentlest path, Windows sits in the middle, and Linux provides the steepest challenge. The sharper the curve, the more capable the OS becomes later on, though it can be daunting at first. If you reach the peak with Linux, it’s ideal—until then it can feel overwhelming. Various efforts have been made to adapt Linux to a Mac-like experience, such as Android and Ubuntu, which keep Linux’s power but present it in a more familiar interface. The trade-off is a bit more complexity than Windows, but deeper understanding is possible.
It's free to use, highly adaptable, gives you greater system management, and runs on Unix. You won't require a Windows virtual machine for most titles.
Linux is open-source and works well on older systems, making upgrades almost impossible. The benefit is full control and endless customization options. There’s no restriction like “we don’t allow changes—follow our instructions.” If you understand what you’re doing, you can tailor it extensively. However, the downside is the same lack of limits, which can lead to mistakes if you’re not familiar with the process.
Linux isn't inherently superior to Windows. It excels in certain areas while Windows may falter in others. There are four key reasons why Linux might be preferable, according to me. If you're a developer, you likely want to avoid the troubles of Windows. Linux offers much greater stability, giving you full control over your system. If you're managing servers or remote setups, Linux is often the better choice. For IT or job roles involving servers or development environments, learning Linux is essential. You'll find it useful whether you're setting up a dedicated server or exploring different distros. Fedora is a popular pick among developers, while CentOS and RedHat dominate commercial use, though both rely on Wayland—something that can be tricky for Nvidia cards without extra work. If you need to run games, consider removing Windows entirely and switching to Ubuntu or Mint, using a virtual machine or shadow service instead. POP_OS works well if your games are Linux-friendly, but Nvidia generally provides minimal support for drivers, especially on mobile platforms.
Explore game development on Linux without any issues. Run Unity, Unreal, or your own engine smoothly. Asking a serious question—maybe it’s achievable? I’ve heard mixed thoughts, but I’m curious about using only Linux tools and drivers. Personally, I prefer Android as my OS, especially since it works well with Windows compatibility. I don’t like typing commands or using physical keyboards. My ideal setup would be Android with full Windows support, treating it similarly to how Linux is used today.