I'm considering making the jump from Windows 10 to Linux, possibly SteamOS, but I'm a bit concerned about whether my hardware will work. My specs include an AMD Ryzen 5 2600 processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1560 Super graphics card. While I've heard that NVIDIA cards can be tricky with Linux, I'm more worried about my keyboard situation. I use a Zboard, which is an older model that requires both the Zengine driver and the SteelSeries Engine to function, and I'm not aware of any Linux version for the Zengine. Is there a way I can successfully migrate to Linux without having to change my keyboard?
5 Answers
You might want to check out some resources on migration—there are pages dedicated to Linux newbies that could give you a head start. Make sure to research your keyboard too; if it's not supported out of the box, there might be alternative software like Autokey that can help.
Your hardware should be fine for running Linux. Just to reassure you, a live USB can help you test everything out before fully committing. I know Ubuntu 24.04 has support for NVIDIA drivers, so just check which version supports your GTX 1560 Super. It could be easier than you think!
Don't sweat it too much! My kid uses an old 1660 Super on Linux Mint and it runs games like Helldivers 2 just fine using the NVIDIA open drivers. The whole 'NVIDIA doesn't work on Linux' thing is outdated, thanks to updates with Proton. Your keyboard might still work in basic mode, even if the fancy features aren’t functional, so give it a shot!
Honestly, you can always switch components later if something doesn’t work. It’s worth leaving Windows behind!
Just test it out with different distros! Ventoy lets you try several Linux versions on a USB. Mint and Zorin OS are nice for beginners. Your keyboard may not have all its features, but you might still be able to use it without issues at a basic level.
Yeah, I plan to switch to an AMD card eventually, but the keyboard situation is my main concern right now.