How difficult is it to switch from Windows to Linux, and which distro should I try?

If you like SteamOS’s desktop, Kubuntu is worth considering because it uses KDE Plasma. Fedora KDE is another good option, and both give you a more traditional Linux system with normal packages and system files you can learn to manage.

For a gaming-focused, SteamOS-like setup, Bazzite is a strong choice, especially on the laptop with Nvidia graphics. It uses an image-based design that is harder to break and works well with gaming tools, although some advanced system modifications are less direct than on a conventional distribution. The best choice depends on whether you want a simple gaming appliance or a system to experiment with and learn.

Most mainstream Linux distributions are very straightforward to install. Download the ISO, write it to a USB drive with Rufus, Fedora Media Writer, Balena Etcher, or a similar tool, boot from the USB, and follow the installer. In many cases it’s actually less annoying than installing Windows because you aren’t forced through account setup and privacy prompts.

The dangerous part is disk selection. A fresh-install option can erase the target drive, so back up anything important first and double-check which disk you’re installing to. You normally don’t need to pre-format the drives; the installer can create the appropriate Linux partitions. If you want to preserve existing data or manually use the SSD and hard drive, read the distribution’s partitioning guide carefully.

Your older laptop is a good place to start. You can test several distributions from a live USB before installing, or install one and use it for a while before changing the other computer. Keep the Windows 11 laptop untouched until you’re confident, so you still have a fallback if a program or piece of hardware gives you trouble.

Make sure the laptop’s UEFI settings match the installation guide. Fast Boot sometimes needs to be disabled, and Secure Boot requirements vary by distribution. Also keep in mind that Linux has different workflows: use the package manager or application store instead of downloading random installers from websites.

You can install Steam and most common gaming tools through the distribution’s software center after setup. Just remember that Linux isn’t Windows: some applications and games may need compatibility layers, and settings may be located in different places. The installation itself is usually easy, but getting comfortable with the different way of doing things is where the real learning curve begins.

Hardware support is generally handled automatically. Linux distributions include most drivers in the kernel or provide them through their repositories, so ordinary laptop components usually work immediately after installation. Nvidia graphics can require an additional proprietary driver, which distributions such as Fedora and Bazzite provide through their setup tools or documentation.

Very new hardware can sometimes be troublesome because support may not yet be mature, but a laptop that is already a few years old should usually be fine. Before wiping Windows, it’s still smart to check that Wi-Fi, graphics, audio, suspend, and other important components are supported.