I'm thinking about making the switch to Linux for gaming but I'm concerned about the potential time investment required. I know many Steam games work well with Proton, but I'm more worried about compatibility issues with my controller, or off-brand keyboard and mouse, as well as printers. I've been using CachyOS and it runs smoothly, but I only have a couple of hours a day to game, and I'm anxious about whether setting up and maintaining the OS will eat into that time. Additionally, I've heard a lot about Windows collecting data from users, and I'm curious about how that works and if the privacy benefits of using Linux outweigh the challenges I might face as a gamer. Is it worth switching if gaming is my primary use case?
5 Answers
Windows has some pretty invasive features, like the Windows Recall tool that can screenshot your activities to help you navigate your OS better. Although you can disable it, updates might turn it back on. If you're only gaming on Windows, Microsoft can still gather data on your gaming habits for marketing purposes, which isn't great. Switching to Linux may help you regain some control over your privacy!
I made the leap recently and haven't faced many issues. Most Steam games run without a hitch, though some external clients can be tricky. Just keep in mind that certain multiplayer games have anti-cheat systems that won't work on Linux. For casual gaming, I think it's a fantastic option! Also, no annoying ads or data scraping like on Windows.
I mostly play indie games and they work just fine on Steam with Linux. Sure, there are some issues—like needing to replug my Xbox controller if the system goes to sleep—but I wouldn't trade that for the data privacy concerns with Windows. Most of the games I play run smoothly, and I don’t feel the need to buy Windows again just for a few inconveniences.
It's good to hear! I've had some success too but avoid any games with kernel-level anti-cheat.
I've been gaming on Linux for a while, and it feels pretty stable aside from a few quirks. Totally worth it imo!
For me, moving took a bit of time at first, but once everything was set up, it generally runs well. I find that Linux sometimes needs more attention, whereas Windows tends to have issues pop up sporadically that can be frustrating. But overall, if you're using it primarily for gaming, you'll probably find it worth it, especially for privacy.
Honestly, it can be a mixed bag. Pros include not having to deal with Windows, and many people report better performance on Linux, though it varies by game. If you've got a more recent Linux version, that might mitigate some issues too. Just be prepared for a learning curve, especially if you encounter any compatibility hiccups with games or peripherals.
I'm running CachyOS now, so I'm hoping it'll be smooth sailing!
I just got a Lenovo without Windows and so far, so good. It's a relief not to have to deal with all that.
If it's as easy to disable as the other features, I wouldn't really trust that it stays off after updates.