Hey everyone! I've been getting increasingly frustrated with Windows 11 and I've decided I want to make a change. I'm considering Atlas OS since it strips away a lot of Windows bloat and unnecessary features, but I'm also thinking about giving Linux another shot. I used to have a laptop with Linux Mint around 8-12 years ago and I've heard that Linux has made great strides since then.
Here's what I need my new OS to do: I want to run Steam, the Riot Launcher, Ubisoft's platform, and Battle.net for gaming. I'd also like it to be compatible with programs like Krita and Photoshop, if at all possible. Most importantly, I want a smooth experience without constantly worrying about compatibility issues or needing to download Wine to make things work.
So, which Linux distro would you recommend for my needs? Thanks in advance! 🙂
3 Answers
If you still want to give Linux a try, I'd suggest starting with Linux Mint again or maybe Fedora. Krita works natively on Linux, but Photoshop is still a no-go. For gaming, most titles work via Steam's Proton, but make sure to check for those pesky anti-cheat games first. It might not be perfect, but it has come a long way in usability!
You could consider dual booting. Keep Windows for gaming and try Linux for your other tasks. I've done that with EndeavourOS, and it’s been a good experience. It gives you the chance to learn Linux without fully committing right away. Plus, Linux is getting better at running games, but you still need to be cautious about compatibility.
Dual booting sounds like a solid plan! You can enjoy the best of both worlds without giving up on your favorite games.
Unfortunately, you might hit a wall with Linux given your gaming needs. Games that use kernel-level anti-cheat systems, like those from Riot, won't run on Linux. If online gaming is a priority for you, I'd say Windows is still your best bet. Linux can be great, but it's not able to run all software natively, and you might find yourself frustrated trying to get everything set up right.
Yeah, it's like a love-hate relationship. You either adapt to the quirks of Linux or stick to what's reliable.
Yep, with tools like ProtonDB, you can see how well your games will run on Linux, so that might ease your worries.