Updated to Linux? Let me know your feedback.
Updated to Linux? Let me know your feedback.
I chose to set up Pop OS and everything has been smooth. I kept the same drives and dependencies, which should have worked elsewhere but didn’t in this case. What I enjoy most is installing games with Lutris—it functions perfectly. The only extra thing I needed was Vulkan. To solve my touch pad problem, I’ve tried many distros and desktops, including running Nvidia GTX 1070 on a ROG G752VS OC Edition. Still, games remain unreliable. I’ve tested Lutris, Playonlinux, Steam, GOG, Windows, and native titles, but none are fully playable. Maybe my approach is off, though it seems more personal than technical.
Outside gaming, I’m part of a talented band handling digital recording, mixing, and production. I used Sonar Platinum on Windows, which impressed me with its quality. It cost about $400 less than Cakewalk’s Sonar but added many extras. Mixbus stood out—it performed like a professional studio without the price tag. However, the add-ons increased the cost by roughly $1500, and even the base version felt expensive.
My hardware mostly worked well, which was good. Still, I can’t get my touch pad to function. It appears to be an issue specific to the ROG series, and no one has a solution yet. I don’t mind using an external mouse, but fixing it would be nice. I blame Asus for not supporting Linux hardware as much. Linux offers freedom and privacy, which is great, but adoption is slow.
Most users care more about convenience and open-source freedom than privacy alone. Many pretend to support Linux when they just want a working system. I think most people don’t prioritize privacy enough to switch. Gaming is important, but even games on Linux often have quirks or missing features. We need better hardware support, clearer instructions, and marketing that speaks to both productivity and passion users.
We should learn from Chrome OS’s success—showing low-cost options can drive interest. Maybe System 76 or Clear Linux could appeal to more people. Intel might be the key here. It’s not just about selling a distribution; it’s about making Linux visible, usable, and appealing to everyone.
Changed systems many years back and enjoyed them. Now work with Linux on desktops and servers. Still play Paradox grand strategy games on my Haswell i3 laptop occasionally. The only issue was with the failed Ubuntu Touch for phones. Goodbye, a chance for phone OSes to improve.
Nvidia cards need a special proprietary driver, while the open-source version isn't great for gaming. After installing the right driver, performance matches that of Windows in many titles.
We understand that forcing anyone to switch is unnecessary; Windows already performs exceptionally well. Offering Linux options nearby makes sense since consumers typically stick with what they know. Most buyers don’t build custom setups, so they stick with familiar choices. The average shopper prefers convenience and doesn’t usually explore alternatives. Presenting Linux alongside Windows and Mac gives customers a clear decision path. Allowing them to try before committing helps them experience the system firsthand. Popular choices still highlight Windows or Mac, but some are drawn to Chrome OS or Google OS for affordability. These options are readily available in stores, making them accessible for immediate purchase.
Linux gaming used to be a challenge for me until I tried POP!_OS. With an RTX 2080ti I faced driver problems on most distros, as they often relied on outdated software. Updating drivers could lead to boot failures and I struggled with config persistence after installation. Even then, I experienced screen tearing on the desktop, which was frustrating. After testing POP!_OS, everything improved—no tearing, smooth transitions, and all settings remained intact. It worked well across many games, making it a solid choice. I strongly suggest giving it a try.
ChromeOS is essentially a cost factor. The main challenge for Linux is the interface—options are good, but there isn’t a consistent user experience. People often ask others to try Linux, only to have to explain Ubuntu, CentOS, OpenSUSE, Fedora, Manjaro, or Mint, each with its own UI. I lean toward XFCE and Cinnamon. Some prefer GNOME, KDE, or MATE. Beyond that, there are concerns about repositories, package formats, and the new systems meant to replace them, though it’s not quite there yet. I remember a dream project aiming for a distro-independent installer that would let big names like Red Hat and Debian integrate smoothly—something that could really simplify things if it materializes. Personally, I dual boot at home, tried convincing my wife to switch, but it turned out more trouble than help. So I brought her back to Windows, and everything worked fine again. Lol
Most distributions can be quite challenging to set up. I only mention a handful of ones I’d suggest for someone just starting out. Linux Mint, Zorin (though it’s a bit uncertain), Ubuntu thanks to its software support and the massive number of forum discussions, and Pop!_OS for its sleek appearance and built-in usability that Ubuntu and Zorin lack. (All of them are based on Ubuntu.) I began with Fedora which I later regretted because many applications didn’t function well, making it hard to use right away—this was frustrating. Eventually I moved to Ubuntu again, but it wasn’t very enjoyable either. My last change was to Pop!_OS, where I think I’ll stick around due to its stability and polished look. Linux is my go-to family, yet I believe the community should keep improving it to make it easier for beginners. Right now it’s not perfect for newcomers trying to switch from Windows, but I’m hopeful we’re just a few updates away from being beginner-friendly.