I'm ready to leave Microsoft and move to Linux! I've got a Lenovo Legion 5 with a Ryzen 7 5800 and a 3050ti, and I pretty much rely on it for everything – work, gaming, and streaming. Lately, I've been facing some annoying Windows issues like driver troubles that seem to have popped up out of nowhere and a flood of notifications about my Microsoft account being accessed. On top of that, my laptop experiences occasional freezes lasting 1-2 seconds.
I'm an active user of software like AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe programs, and Office, and I'm hunting for a better alternative to Office since I'm feeling pretty fed up with it too. I've heard that most games on Steam work pretty well under Linux, except Fortnite, which I'm planning to run on a separate SSD with a modded Windows install.
I'm considering using Ghost Spectre Windows just for that game. I'm also thinking about using ShadPS4 for Bloodborne since it runs decently on the Steam Deck despite my hardware limitations.
Before diving in, I'm unsure about the best approach for installing everything: should I start with the modded Windows on my smaller SSD first and then install Linux Mint on my main SSD, or the other way around? Any advice would be appreciated!
4 Answers
Honestly, if you're heavily reliant on programs like AutoCAD, Adobe, and Microsoft Office, you might want to reconsider switching to Linux completely. Most of them don't have reliable Linux versions, and some don't work well even in compatibility layers like Wine. You’d probably face a lot of hiccups trying to get things done without the proper apps.
Linux isn't just a simple plug-and-play for Windows users. It involves a bit of a learning curve since you'll be switching your applications and workflows. Assess what you really need your computer for and see if there are suitable Linux alternatives for your essential apps. Many people have dual-boot systems or run virtual machines to switch back and forth, which might be a good strategy for you, too.
Great point! Also, if you’re trying to use LibreOffice alongside MS Office, be aware of fonts; you’ll need to have the right fonts installed to avoid format issues when transferring documents back and forth.
Switching to Linux has been great for me overall, but it does require a good level of comfort with technology. I use both Linux and Windows, with Windows for gaming and Linux for everything else since it’s more stable. For your SSD setup, I'd suggest installing Windows on your smaller SSD first and then Linux on the larger one, that way Linux can manage the bootloader easily. Just make sure you're prepared for any troubleshooting once you start with Linux!
I think switching to a modified version of Windows might be risky unless you really can’t trust Microsoft anymore. Those versions could have hidden issues, and it’s generally safer to stick to the official releases. Just work through your driver issues and consider reinstalling Windows for a fresh start before diving into Linux.
I hear you—there’s a lot of uncertainty with those modded versions. If Windows is still your primary OS for essential software, maybe running Linux as a secondary system could give you the best of both worlds.
Adobe can be swapped out; programs like LibreOffice or OpenOffice can cover basic needs and do decent jobs for Office documents. But for AutoCAD, it’s trickier. If you're set in your ways with those applications, it's worth heeding the warnings here.