I've been using Windows for as long as I can remember, but with all the recent changes (especially the unwanted AI features in Windows 11), I'm ready to switch to Linux. Although I've tried Linux a bit in the past, I'm unsure what distribution to choose since there are so many options. Here's my situation:
1. I work in IT, so I'm comfortable learning new technologies.
2. I have an HP Omen 16t-wf100 laptop running Windows 11 and an older desktop that can't run 11. I plan to put Linux on both devices, which have Nvidia graphics cards.
3. My activities range from gaming (especially on Steam and Battle.net) to word processing and general web browsing.
4. I currently use a mix of OneDrive and Google Drive mainly for backing up photos and documents, especially since I need easy access on my Android phone. With Microsoft hiking the price of my Office 365 subscription, I'd like to find a suitable replacement along with a way to sync around 200 GB of files across devices, and I think I can use LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Office.
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Also, I'm not too concerned about having a Linux setup that mimics my Windows interface.
4 Answers
For office alternatives, OnlyOffice is a standout choice for a drop-in replacement for Microsoft Office on Linux. For cloud storage, Dropbox could be an option, but keep an eye on storage costs which might be similar to Google Drive. Also, ProtonDB is super handy for checking if your favorite Steam games will run on Linux!
I’d recommend trying out NixOS, Arch, or Fedora based on your needs. For a cloud storage alternative, consider self-hosting using Nextcloud, which you can run on a VPS or even at home using a tool like Tailscale for secure access. It can be a bit of a setup, but the control is worth it if you’re tech-savvy!
I switched to Nobara Linux recently, and it’s been fantastic for my Nvidia GPUs, especially for gaming. It’s built on Fedora and prioritizes gaming support. For syncing files, you might want to use rsync, or for backups, there's deja dup, but real-time sync could be tricky. Just a heads up, many anti-cheat systems won’t work on Linux, so keep that in mind for gaming decisions!
Check out these migration resources and guides available online to help you through the transition! Just keep in mind basic best practices, like only using root when necessary and checking ISO checksums after downloads. Honestly, start with user-friendly distros like Linux Mint or Ubuntu for fewer headaches, especially if you’re new!
I thought about self-hosting too, but I want something reliable that won’t fail if my house has an emergency. Any suggestions for external options?