Windows has been getting noticeably slower on my older laptop, and I'm tired of the extra bundled software and advertising. I'm considering making Linux my main operating system and would like some advice before switching. My system has an RX 6600 and 32 GB of RAM. Which beginner-friendly distribution would you recommend? How well do Steam games run, especially games that use anti-cheat? Is Microsoft Office available, or would LibreOffice, OnlyOffice, or another alternative be better? I also enjoy customizing my desktop, so I'd like to know how flexible Linux is with themes and appearance.
3 Answers
Steam works surprisingly well on Linux. The native client and Proton allow most games to run with little or no setup, although some titles have problems because of unsupported anti-cheat systems. It’s worth checking individual games before switching, especially competitive multiplayer games. Games with kernel-level anti-cheat are the biggest risk, while many single-player and ordinary multiplayer titles work great.
There isn’t one universally best distribution, but Linux Mint with Cinnamon or Zorin OS are easy transitions from Windows. Fedora KDE is another polished option, while Bazzite is worth considering if gaming is your main priority. Your RX 6600 and 32 GB of RAM should handle any of these comfortably. I’d create a live USB and try a few desktops before installing anything permanently.
The desktop version of Microsoft Office doesn’t officially run natively on Linux. The web version is usable for normal documents, and LibreOffice or OnlyOffice are good native alternatives. Compatibility is generally fine for simple files, though complex spreadsheets, macros, or heavily formatted documents may still require Microsoft Office. For customization, Linux is far more flexible than Windows. KDE Plasma is especially good if you want to change themes, icons, fonts, panels, window decorations, and the overall layout.
The customization options are a big reason I’m interested. KDE sounds like a good place to start, especially if it still feels familiar coming from Windows.
Trying them from a live USB first sounds like the safest approach. I mostly want something comfortable for everyday use without all the bundled software.