Let me start by explaining where I’m coming from. I’m pretty much a standard Windows user. I liked XP, I was ok with 7 and ok with 10. But overall I don’t like a lot of things about Windows I think we can all agree on; business practices, spying, lack of customization, cost, etc.
In the past, I have tried to move to Linux more than once including a failed dual boot situation. There are things I really, really like about Linux that I can’t believe aren’t part of Windows. Despite that I really hate Linux. I’ll explain that opinion so you can trash me with facts. Just understand that this is the way I see it.
First, being primarily a Windows user means I am uncomfortable with using all of the little squiggles around the outside of the keyboard to get things done. At one point I was using the most Windows-like version where I could click and download a package which was fine, but eventually I found one that had to be done manually, so this feels like inconsistency. In the dual boot situation I found myself using Windows constantly because I could not get online with Linux for some reason, which meant I had to boot in Windows to research the problem only in the end to have people tell me that the components of the computer I built were too new and I would have to wait for someone to write drivers. There are a lot of equivalent programs in Linux to Windows and I use some of them now, like Open Office, Audacity(which I love), Firefox( which I hate) and probably more I can’t think of at the moment. I currently have a computer attached to my TV that I made really cheap from parts I had laying around and I’m running Mint on it. The only thing it is used for is watching YouTube videos on the big screen, usually exercise videos. It IS a problem. It loads up ridiculously slow.
So my experience has been bad overall every time I try and yes I realize I’m not doing it right. I’m not a typical Linux user.
But here’s the thing, I WANT to be a Linux user mostly because I hate Microsoft so much. And now especially because according to Lemmy Windows 11 is a shit show of advertising and other crap and apparently my roughly 2 year old and still fairly powerful desktop does not meet their requirements due to that stupid chip it needs to have. I do not wish to buy a new computer and I do not wish to be a Windows slave again.
So the question is, is there hope for me giving this another try? I’m not a power user but I do use my computer for a lot of things. I will get specific here.
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Surfing the net. It needs to NOT lag or fail to connect.
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I play games with my friend online every Monday. Most of the games are on Steam. So far we have played: Borderlands Borderlands 2 Borderlands 3 Borderlands the pre sequel Tiny Tina’s Wonderland Diablo 4 Grimm Dawn Aliens fire team elite
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I edit videos. I use Sony Vegas pro 13. It was expensive and I’m used to it. It is important to me.
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I do some word processing and spreadsheet stuff. Currently I use Open Office as I mentioned.
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Audio conversion and manipulation with Audacity.
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Drawing and photo manipulation. I use a variety of programs. The most important ones in order are CorelCad. It is basically AutoCad and was expensive to buy and I’m used to it. Fusion 360, also important for 3D printing. Prusa slicer for 3D printing and one called Photofiltre. It’s a simple free program I believe does have a Linux version. These are important to me.
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Programming microcontrollers for projects using the Arduino IDE.
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I use a program called Vetric which programs the tool path for my CNC router.
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A number of smaller more rarely used programs like one to convert a font into hexadecimal, one that normalizes mp3 files, one that captures what I do on the screen, etc.
If I had it my way, I would just continue using Windows 10. I more or less know how it works and it really doesn’t give me any problems. However with this end of life thing approaching I will eventually need to migrate somehow for security’s sake, right? I mean I don’t even know if half of these programs will be compatible with Windows 11.
I should also mention that I’m a goal oriented person. I just want to use it, I don’t want to tinker with it. That goes for pretty much any tool. I consider the OS a tool.
So given that encyclopedia of information, do you think I could/should give Linux another try? If so, which distro should I go with that will be the most compatible with my hardware and usage?
Regarding hardware, I’m not home now so just genetically I have an AMD Rhyzen 7 processor, a Radeon video card, sort of upper mid tier, 32 GB of RAM, decent motherboard and a boatload of storage.
Feel free to ask questions and I will now don my flameproof jacket for the absolute shit storm of criticism in guessing that’s heading my way. Thank you in advance.
It’s a tough call man. I’ve been using Linux for nearly 20+ years. It’s great, it always has been great. There are a lot of cliches where people just assume because they are a tech enthusiast with Windows they should be competent under Linux as well. It’s just the wrong mindset. I don’t know shit about Windows and the times I have to use it, I just look like a moron. All that to say, your approach needs to be, how does one do this under Linux. What is the Linux way of doing things. The same goes hand in hand for Mac or Windows or and of the other Unix-like operating systems.
If you are stuck on Windows for now, that’s okay, but you should just keep moving little by little toward Linux. Kind of like using OpenOffice, using Audacity, your Arduino software does have a Linux version. Arduino IDE is based on Electron which is basically Chrome. So, if you can run Chrome you can run your Arduino software.
I’m not sure why you were told your hardware was too new to be supported. They could have just switched you to a mainline kernel, even mainline mesa drivers for gaming. There are so many open standards these days, most hardware is supported by default. I can see too old or, for example, you have a cheap Chinese network card that never had Linux drivers written. I’m guessing that’s not your actual problem though. If it were, you could easily buy a cheap network card that is, Linux compatible. You don’t need to replace the entire system just for one peripheral.
Your CNC router software is supported through Parallels for Mac (basically you’ll use a Windows virtual machine), so you can do the same under Linux.
I don’t know about that Cad software, obviously you can run them in a VM no problem. Same with the Sony Vegas Pro software.
I don’t think you are stuck on Windows. You might need to run some of your specialized software in a VM, for the times you need it. Probably wont be bad, you could easily have the Window VM run on a second Virtual Workspace (Similar to Task View which Windows added in Windows 10 I believe) and you just switch to the Virtual Workspace when you need it. Just make sure you pass the GPU through to the VM. Same thing with your CNC machine, you want to pass that through to your VM (just a couple mouse clicks, usually), that’s what they would be doing with Parallels on Mac.
You can try WINE for things. I don’t use WINE to run Windows software. I do use the Proton variant for gaming though. I have used Wine to run the PS5 controller update software for updating my PS5 controller firmware a couple times. I don’t own a PS5 so I have to use the software. That would never have happened ten years ago. But I do all that through Bottles which handles all the WINE and Proton nonsense for me.
It might be better if you go to a LUG (Linux User Group) nearby and get help with all this. None of it’s hard, but the first couple times, things will probably seem overwhelming. Windows isn’t easier, it’s just that everybody is used to all the noise you have to deal with in Windows and so they don’t notice all the crap they deal with. I’m sure the same for me on Linux.
Thanks. I’ll definitely be looking at this thread to figure things out. The problems I was having was like 10 years ago, but I was under the impression this was how it would be.
Windows 10 and 11 LTSC are slimmed down, official versions of Windows that can be downloaded from links found here. An activator with instructions can be found from the same source.
If you really can’t switch to Linux, then use what works. There are multiple ways of cutting down on telemetry as well. O&O Shutup 10++ is a very good starting point.
Cool, lots to do before October I guess. Thanks for the input.
I think you need to stick with windows, there’s a lot of specialized software you listed (Vegas, CNC machine) that I don’t think will work well.
I’m really afraid it won’t work with the new windows either. Unless I maybe disconnect from the web and continue using 10 and have a new machine for 11. But that’s a pain and quite frankly what I’m trying to avoid.
I usually build a new computer every few years. I get real excited to buy new stuff and watch a bunch of videos and do a bunch of research on the latest stuff, spend a bunch of time doing cable management and maybe customizing stuff only to turn it on and remind myself that it’s just a computer and the user experience really isn’t much different than before. I would build a powerhouse only to have Windows stumble on something a simple as opening a new window. A friggin supercomputer will not open that window any faster for whatever reason. It seems like the only thing that improves is gaming capability, but frankly I don’t really run games that are that intensive.
I’m not sure what options you have friend, it’s pick your poison either way. You’re dependent on software vendors that support Microsoft, in turn you are equally dependent on Microsoft. That includes playing by their requirements, buying a motherboard or PC with a TPM chip and accepting ads in your user experience.
You could hack together a VM, or use WINE with the unsupported software. You mentioned you’re not looking to tinker and desire something seamless - Maybe you’ll have better luck than I did with Vegas, there’s been a lot of improvements with WINE - but my experience was subpar from windows with this specific software.
A third option is to remove your dependencies on vendors that don’t support Linux, and learn equivalents. Facing this similar fork, I chose to learn and replace Vegas with Davinci Resolve, and I haven’t regretted it yet. But I also respect you have your workflow.
I rarely suggest anyone stick with windows, but the scenarios you’ve presented is exceptional.
Edit- additional note on the software concerns in W11, it’s not that different from 10, like at all. I’m massively confident they will continue working without problem.
As someone who’s mostly in a similar place to you, I think the only option currently is to try dual-booting (or getting a second machine just for Linux stuff). I’d suggest starting with Linux Mint as the version to use. It looks and feels a lot like Windows, minus a few exceptions that you can probably get around. I think you’ll need to keep Windows 10 around for a while longer, as well. The biggest things to note: Capital letters matter in Linux, and the Run dialog defaults to Alt+F2 (I know it’s weird in comparison, but you’ll either get used to it or reassign it)
I don’t know if you have the WSL set up on your PC, I know that I don’t. But that’s a good place to start trying it out if you have it. Either that, or in a virtual machine (VMWare or something like it). Then, slowly shift over to Linux as much as you can. You should be able to run Windows 10 in a virtual environment under Linux (this sharply reduces the security risks that you mentioned).
You do not need to use Firefox on Linux, no more than you need to use Edge on Windows. Brave, Vivaldi, even Chrome, are available from most repositories (aka app stores). Just search on the website flathub,org (in Mint, you can install Flatpak apps through the main installer, or the command line, your choice), Chances are there’s a Linux version of the browser you use available somehow (I say this as a Pale Moon user). The only exception to this is Safari, but there are WebKit browsers available.
The only problem with that, is that I was hoping to use the same hardware, but that won’t be possible with Windows 11.
The main problems in having with Firefox are that more than once I’ve had problems accessing websites with it(mostly signing up for something) and that it will slow down when using YouTube. This requires me to shut down Firefox and restart it. I never had this problem with Brave. But people were seriously poo pooing brave so I switched. I don’t want to use Chrome. Someone suggested Mulvad( I think that’s what it was called) but I’m a taboholic and when I restart my browser I want it to pick up where I left off, but for security reasons it doesn’t do that.
There are ways of bypassing the Windows 11 TPM requirements if that’s the hardware issue. However there are no guarantees that won’t change in the future.
However from the sounds of your hardware it sounds pretty new? So I’d be surprised if your chipset doesn’t support TPM. It’s often turned off by default (particularly in AMD systems) so this may be a simple as going in to your Bios to turn it on, and then letting Windows run it’s Windows 11 upgrade. It can also have different names in AMD systems so you may need to read your motherboards manual to find out how to turn on TPM.
Wow. Thank you for that information. It would be great if that were the case. It may be closer to three years old. If have to look at the receipts.
I love Linux but I don’t think it’s for you yet, at least not with a lot of sacrifices and compromises. If 3 and 6 and possibly 8 are non-negotiable then they’re dealbreakers. Some of it can be somewhat handled with things like virtual machines and GPU passthrough but that will absolutely be a bunch of terminal stuff to get running well, and possibly extra hardware.
I should also mention that I’m a goal oriented person. I just want to use it, I don’t want to tinker with it. That goes for pretty much any tool. I consider the OS a tool.
Sometimes, achieving goals require upgrading your skills and taking the time to learn them properly, and for Linux the terminal is the most powerful tool you could have. We don’t use it because we have to, we use it because it’s a powerful tool that can get just about anything done.
In your case, using tools to debloat Windows might be the best bet. I’ve been using winutil for my Windows VMs, works great and removes most of the crap: https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil
Thank you for that. I was thinking if I felt I had to stick with Windows, I would do my best to de-Windows it.
I hear you on the skills and I’ll put it this way. I’m not prepared to learn Russian to get the job done, but I AM willing to learn enough Russian to order off the menu if you know what I mean.
@Max_P @Professorozone BTW I especially hate that Titus fella, even though his ideas are good & helpful, but the way he expresses them, the way he talks, makes blood boil in my head from anger
Speaking as someone who’s never heard of him, what’s so bad about him?
@Lost_My_Mind I can’t explain it, but my blood boils after hearing him speak, maybe it’s the way he speaks , IDK, but every video he makes turns me into an angry man
I’m a goal oriented person. I just want to use it, I don’t want to tinker with it.
I intended to recommend to you, you’d then better continue using Windows 10. Since that’s working for you and you got it set up. But I realize support will end next year already.
I mean the Linux user experience won’t change fundamentally. You’d better get used to it, or think about some alternative solution. Or pick the distro you like best and just live with the one or two edge cases. I’ve come to realize that Windows people have started to realize the advantages of scripting and the command line (Power shell) as well, and nowadays the admins started doing similar things that they’ve previously looked down upon… I see how an ordinary user would prefer to just click on something… But some parts (especially) of Linux had been made with the power user in mind. And no one got around implementing some simple UI (yet). I mean it is how it is. Linux also isn’t 100% perfect.
Regular stuff should work. And it should be minimum as fast as Windows. If you’re installing it on cheap and old hardware (with your TV set), I’m not sure if slowness is the operating system’s fault, or if it’s just the slow hardware that struggles with the modern and demanding video codecs.
I wish you the best and that you’ll find some acceptable solution. I think at first you need to sort out the network driver issue. If it’s necessary, just spend the $20 for a new network card. I think Linux is doing a decent job in supporting a lot of hardware. But coverage isn’t 100%, even today. And the situation is fairly good compared to the old days. And the issue goes both ways. I also own hardware that isn’t supported by Windows (any more). That’s the cost of switching operating systems.
Yeah, I read that this new windows thing was supposed to put 240M computers on the trash heap. I figured that that was a lot and maybe Microsoft would do something due to the outrage, but it hasn’t happened yet. I mean what are major corporations going to do? Replace every computer? I suppose they could and just pass the cost to the customer.
This is less of an issue to companies anyway. A lot of them do leasing and those machines will get returned and replaced regularly. I think generally, most companies replace their workstations and laptops every 3 to 5 years. They’re not deductible from taxes after a certain point and they might as well get new and faster ones and not deal with old things failing. It’s a different story for consumers, though. But no one really cares for the consumers. (Or the environment, if that contradicts with making profit.)
Yeah, you’re right. That’s the way it was with the place I worked.
Just means that a whole lot of nerds are getting new servers pretty soon!
I don’t know the answer to all your issues, however, I have seen these distros been mentioned elsewhere in similar discussions so maybe have a look and see if they fit your profile:
I have not used the ones above, I am using PopOS myself, so throwing that hat in the ring as well.
Linux is different to Windows; to use it you have to accept the differences to a certain extent.
Having said that, the examples you give of frustrations sound like you didn’t get far with Linux, and I wonder if part of the problem is just making the effort to get used to it? But I also wonder whether Linux is just not for you, given your software needs.
A few things you should be aware of for your use scenarios:
- You can install a virtual machine and run Windows in it, with a license if you want, for your edge scenarios of specific programs you use. It will take some minor effort to do but I have Windows 11 installed in a KVM machine on my Linux machine for the rare times I want to use my Work Office account. I prefer it to the web version. However it will be more problematic for high end graphics software; you will probably want a dual boot system for native graphics access for that. There is a route of getting a second graphics card just for your virtual Windows machine but I’m not sure that sounds like a route you’d want to go down?
- Many games just work now with Linux and Steam Proton (or other Wine/Proton derived systems). However if you want to guarantee they work all the time then again you will have to dual boot windows. I have Windows 10 installed on it’s own drive on my PC; I haven’t used it in months but it’s there for gaming in case something doesn’t work. So yes I have 2 windows licenses on my PC; rarely used but there to cover all use scenarios for me. That is extreme and in your case I’d probably just keep 1 and dual boot but both are doable.
- Linux is much more user friendly than it used to be, and drivers are generally well kept up to date including for new devices but there is often a lag for the cutting edge systems as manufacturers target Windows for launch. I would take a different attitude to you regarding devices - if they’ve not got Linux drivers I don’t want to be stuck with a lemon device in my PC. Your graphics card (AMD) is well supported; and I’d be amazed if your network drivers don’t work in this day and age - use a USB live distro to test those things
- If you are going to use Linux then I’d strongly recommend KDE as a desktop as the default paradigm is very familiar for windows users. It is also very flexible and you can make pretty much any GUI you like out of it, but at the start it just works and is familiar. I would not touch Gnome if I were you - it is very different to windows and you don’t seem like the kind of person who would tolerate it’s restrictive design philosophy. Other windows like DEs include Cinnamon on Linux Mint (There are many more but I think Cinnamon or KDE would be best, depending very much on which Distro you want to use).
- There are open source alternative for much of the software you use, but some of what you use may also run natively using Wine. However you’d have to be prepared to tinker and test to get there.
Overall however, I’d suggest that if you’re so locked in to propriety software then Linux may not be right for you. While you may prefer it to Windows in many ways on paper, ultimately the companies whose propriety products you have bought and like are not generally interested in supporting Linux. So you have a choice - either you accept being locked in to your vendors including their choice of windows, or you look at Linux supporting alternatives (open source or propriety), or you accept a hybrid set up of dual booting (which didn’t work for you previously). Only you can decide whether you’re willing to make the multiple shifts in preferred software you’d probably need to make to be able to use Linux as your daily driver.
If you do want to go down the Linux route; then personally I’d suggest OpenSuSe Leap - it’s KDE based, it’s a stable point release base, and has decent support, and is designed to be both a home desktop distro and a more professional work device. Linux Mint would also be a good place to start - Cinnamon is very windows like, and there is loads of support on the web as it’s so popular.
Distro wise mint is probably your best bet.
Dependency on proprietary software will be a problem. Maybe it will run via wine. Maybe not. Maybe it will work for a short bit and then inexplicably break. It’s proprietary and there isn’t much recourse. However there are a lot of good alternatives that are available under multiple operating systems.
My two biggest recommendations are look for systems that are either made to run Linux like something from tuxedo or system 76. Or spend $100 on eBay getting an old Lenovo Dell or HP business tower. (Not laptop. Laptop can get into some really weird fucky proprietary stuff.) They’re generally built from solid lowest common denominator Parts with wide support.
Dual booting sounds nice. But it gets to be a real hassle most the time unless you absolutely need it. If you have a system separate just to use and learn Linux on. You WILL have a better time. 4th and 6th generation Intel i7 business Towers are still extremely usable today.
Thank you.
Which distro(s) did you try?
I’ve been a linux user for 20-25 years (exclusively for 10), and I find that Linux Mint works pretty well out of the box. I’ve heard others recommend other distros for the same reason, but I’ll let someone with first hand experience recommend them, as Mint is my go-to distro for desktops and laptops.
And just a tip: Take people who go “Don’t use X distro because of Y”. All distros have their own quirks (Mint’s being relatively old packages), but whatever works for you is the best distro for you, and that’s the most important part.
I recently got myself a brand spanking new and relatively high end laptop, and everything worked out of the box. The only “problem” was that I wasn’t satisfied with the wifi performance (it worked, just not as fast as it should), so I installed a different kernel module. ome to think of it, I had to select NVIDIA proprietary driver as well, due to it defaulting to an open source driver. But it’s just a few mouseclicks (yes, all GUI) to get that sorted.
Allegedly AMD has better support for linux than NVIDIA does, so I guess that’s a good omen.
The rest worked flawlessly, including the proprietary lenovo hotkeys that requires it’s own Lenovo program on windows - I was prepared to live without those, but I’m glad I don’t have to. Fn+Q to change power/performance/cooling balance on the fly is pretty neat.
I have no idea how to edit videos, and I’ve never touched any software for doing so, so I can’t help you there. Same goes for CAD stuff. I think it’s safe to assume that doing arduino stuff on linux is well supported, though.
If you want to switch to Linux, you will have to learn how to use the command line. That’s basically mandatory. But you can still use a Linux desktop with minimal terminal usage.
My best recommendations for newbies is:
1- Linux Mint
2- Ubuntu (Or preferably Kubuntu in my opinion as it’s more Windows-like)
3- Debian Stable which is the distribution upon which the two previous ones are built upon, but it’s a bit rough around the edges and lack some quality of life tools to make it a bit easier to use, like a tool to detect your hardware and download and install relevant drivers and also installing proprietary codecs for multimedia. Whereas Ubuntu variants and Mint have this out of the box. But, the reward in the long term is a solid, no-bullshit, no-bloat, stable Linux OS with minimal problems. It’s worth the extra work in my opinion.
I wouldn’t recommend jumping into Ubuntu or Debian.
I do use my computer for a lot of [specific and diverse] things.
I just want to use it, I don’t want to tinker with it.
I do not wish to buy a new computer and I do not wish to be a Windows slave again.
I think you’re going to have to pick two, at least for now.
Software ecosystems are large and complex, especially for users with needs as diverse as yours. Microsoft and Apple have managed to more-or-less tame them through decades of work by a great many employees, market dominance (compelling other companies to do much of the work for them), and an almost inconceivable amount of money.
Free software ecosystems are developed mostly by individuals solving their own problems in whatever unpaid time they can spare. We’re very lucky to have them at all. They are steadily improving, are already impressive in some areas, and a few components are even sponsored these days, but I think it will be a while before these ecosystems cover as many different tasks as you’re describing with as much polish as you demand.
Some of us accept this, and are willing to invest time and effort into becoming proficient with free tools and their quirks, in exchange for a computing experience without the tentacles of capitalism. Others don’t have the time or patience for that, but are willing to make do with a smaller set of tools in exchange for that freedom. Either of these approaches can be a good trade-off, but they’re not for everyone.
If you can’t or won’t budge, then it might be best put your Linux hopes aside for now, and see how the ecosystem looks in another 10 years.
Surfing the net. It needs to NOT lag or fail to connect.
If you have been lucky enough to avoid such things so far, then I salute you and hope your good luck continues. No computer or operating system is immune to problematic network connections or services.
That actually was the driver of the question because it’s been years since I last tried and wanted to know how much had changed. I am very much of the mindset of shedding this hated ball and chain but, yeah, not willing to give up things I strongly rely on.
As far as the connection goes I’m not saying it can’t stumble from time to time but the two issues I had with Linux in the past was that it simply wouldn’t connect AT ALL. And currently when I pull up the Linux box on the TV to exercise, I might as well go make a smoothie while I’m waiting for a video to load. This is only acceptable because I didn’t want to pay for an OS for that machine and I don’t use it often. After the initial video loads, it runs pretty much normally.
On my Windows machine everything loads pretty quickly under normal circumstances. I’m pretty satisfied.
the two issues I had with Linux in the past was that it simply wouldn’t connect AT ALL.
Yeah, that’s frustrating. It’s usually result of buying network hardware whose manufacturer neither supports Linux nor releases the specs that would allow the community to do the work for them. (Another sad effect of Microsoft’s market dominance.) Sometimes a working driver can be manually enabled or installed. Other times, the only sane fix is to buy/beg/borrow a better network card.
Next time you’re hardware shopping, it might be worthwhile to pick something with a known-good network chip, or just buying from a vendor that offers Linux preinstalled.
And currently when I pull up the Linux box on the TV to exercise, I might as well go make a smoothie while I’m waiting for a video to load.
I hate waiting for machines, too. Slow boot can be caused by a number of things, but the most common one is probably just plain old slow storage media. If you’re booting from a slow USB drive or SD card, you’ll probably get better results by using a faster one. (I’m assuming the machine you built from cheap parts is capable of fast storage and not memory-starved.)
For what it’s worth, my Linux systems are fast and have no network trouble, so it’s definitely possible to achieve. (Even the Raspberry Pi that drives my TV.)
I hope you get it figured out!
Actually the boot on the Linux box is fast it’s only loading the first YouTube video that’s a problem but it seems to be as problem whether I use Firefox or chromium.
Are you using flatpack or normal installs of firefox/chromium?
Do you have a bunch of/ any addons?
It really shouldn’t load very slow.
I have some VERY old systems. One with only 3GB RAM and the onboard video out to DisplayPort to an HDMI adapter.
Loads fine.
Vivaldi runs much faster though.
Consider disabling background services and apps you don’t need.
Mint xfce is a super lightweight version. Can be customized in nearly infinite ways to match your needs.
Any Linux DE or distro you choose will require some learning, some tinkering.
Imagine being a new user to windows nowadays and trying to figure out where your settings are. Are they in control panel, settings, msinfo, or some other command line only accessible thing, what do these hexcodes in this registry thing mean?
If you choose to do a little learning and a little tinkering, you choose the ability to do things your way. Sometimes it’s simple. Sometimes it isn’t. But for the most part, for most people, any problem is a simple fix.
The best resources i know of are The Arch wiki for setup and config for almost everything; overstack for those unique or odd questions; and your distros docs and community pages.
Just a few things I would like to add.
First, switch to Libreoffice when you can as OpenOffice is not being maintained all that well. As far as Linux goes I see know reason you should force yourself into it. Windows 11 is not that bad and I get the impression you want things to be the Windows way. Linux has gotten significantly better but it sounds like you want a Windows clone which is not possible. Linux will never be a drop in replacement for Windows especially if you need perfect compatibility. I will note that your lag issue is probably tied to YouTube defecting Firefox and throttling the connection.
With that being said, if you are serious about switching I would get a separate computer to use and learn on. Your workflow will need to shift so it is better to have a separate device to play with. You can pickup a old business machine for around $100. (Or possibly free if you to a junk yard)
Oh wow, wish I had known about libreoffice earlier. It’s fine for what I do but sometimes I pass files to other people with office products and the version open office saves in is pretty old.
Ok so tell me if I’m right here. It sounds like laptops are very difficult to switch to Linux but it is possible to buy one already set up. My laptop is an ancient hand me down from my sister that is at best 8 years old. So I’d actually be willing to buy a new one of those.
When I tried Linux before one of the things I liked a lot was that I could set up a dark theme for the OS and nearly every program I added took on the same dark theme. Friggin awesome. It also felt pretty snappy to me.
If I had my way, it definitely would not be a Windows clone. My biggest concern is with the learning curve and not really understanding how to fix some problems. I remember once getting hung up on trying to place a file in a folder and it just wouldn’t let me do it and it seemed to take a lifetime to find out it was a security measure and I should have been placing it somewhere else I actually had access to (or I guess using some kind of admin privilege or setting or something). It seemed like a silly thing to get hung up on.
Switched last year. If you’d rather write a page of text whining instead of leaning how to use Google, let alone anything harder… Just use Windows. Nobody cares, especially in this tiny community. You’ve already nailed the problem and nobody wants to interest the time trying to make you barely competent at life, let alone be some stupid free Linux coach.
You could solve any of these problems in like 30 seconds of googling it. But here you are instead.
Well I knew there had to be one.
Controversial opinion, just use Windows. There is no reason for you to switch and every reason for you not to. No Linux distribution will do everything thing you want and no Linux distro will do half the things you mentioned without significant tinkering. If you really want to keep Windows 10 just use Windows 10 LTSC, alternatively you can just switch to Windows 11. Granted Windows 11 is worse than Windows 10 but itll be more than serviceable for your needs.
Did you not read the part saying his PC is not supported for win11??
Official requirements can be bypassed
I know but you never suggested such a thing in your comment. The person asking might not know this