I've used Windows my entire life and really like its general interface and file explorer, but I'm getting tired of the increasing focus on built-in AI and other unwanted features. Since I also game heavily, I'm considering Linux instead. I have an ASUS TUF Gaming A15 laptop and would like to know how well it works with Linux, especially for gaming, graphics, and hardware support. As a beginner, I'm looking for a fast, smooth desktop environment that feels somewhat familiar to Windows, along with a capable file manager. Is switching likely to improve performance and usability, and what distribution or desktop environment would be a good starting point?
4 Answers
Don’t erase Windows immediately. Make a backup, create a live USB, and either dual-boot or use a second drive while you test things. Pay particular attention to the laptop’s GPU switching, battery life, external display support, sleep behavior, and the games you play most. Linux can be an excellent fit, but checking those details first will prevent unpleasant surprises.
Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop is probably the easiest starting point. It has a familiar Windows-like layout, is beginner-friendly, and includes a straightforward file manager. You can test it from a bootable USB before installing, which is a good way to check whether your laptop’s Wi-Fi, audio, touchpad, graphics, and suspend behavior work properly.
If you want something polished and familiar, KDE Plasma is another strong choice. It has plenty of customization and can be made to resemble Windows closely, with a powerful file manager. Fedora-based options are good, and a gaming-focused Fedora variant such as Bazzite can be convenient if gaming is the main purpose. Ubuntu is also a common, well-documented option, though the desktop experience may feel less Windows-like by default.
Gaming on Linux is much better than it used to be, especially with Steam and Proton, but it isn’t completely seamless. Many single-player games and multiplayer games work well, while titles using kernel-level anti-cheat, certain launchers, or strict Secure Boot requirements may not work. Check your personal game library on ProtonDB before switching. NVIDIA graphics can also require more setup than AMD or integrated graphics, depending on the exact laptop configuration.
Linux can also help older hardware feel more responsive because the desktop may use fewer resources, though game performance varies by title and driver.
A lot of multiplayer games work flawlessly now, but the anti-cheat requirement is the important exception. It’s worth checking each game individually rather than assuming the whole library will or won’t work.