Hey everyone! I'm thinking about switching to Linux since Windows 10's support is ending, but I have some questions. I've used Ubuntu in virtual machines before and I've heard that Linux Mint is good for beginners, so I'm not too worried on the personal side. However, I need to use Office 365 for school, so I'm considering running Windows in a virtual machine instead of dual booting because my laptop only has 256 GB of storage, and upgrading isn't easy or cheap. With 8 GB of RAM and an Intel i5 processor, how much of a struggle do you think it will be to run a VM for essential tasks like web browsing and office work? Should I take the plunge and allocate some of my storage for Windows? Also, any tips for me as I transition would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
I'm just sharing my two cents here, but Windows 10 isn't going away just yet. You can even get extended security updates if needed. In my experience in education, it's super beneficial to be familiar with multiple platforms—Windows, Mac, and Linux. If storage is a problem, consider trying Linux via a Live USB first! It's a neat way to 'test drive' it without any risk.
You can actually use the web-based version of Microsoft Office for your needs (just head to onedrive.live.com). A lot of us have switched to LibreOffice for simpler tasks, which offers good functionality without the need for a full Windows install.
Thanks for the Live USB tip! I'll definitely look into that!