I'm looking to set up my laptop for university and want to primarily use Linux for better performance and because the games I play are compatible with it. However, I also need to run engineering software like SolidWorks, which isn't available on Linux. I haven't purchased the laptop yet, so I'm wondering what options I have for a mid to high-range device. I've considered dual booting, but I'm not sure about the storage requirements. I've also heard that virtual machines can perform poorly compared to native Windows. Ideally, I need something that will handle most of my university workload and potentially larger projects. If nothing works, I guess I'll have to settle for running Windows. I'm not planning on buying a separate laptop just for gaming or engineering, either. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
If you're leaning towards virtual machines, you can minimize performance issues by setting up GPU passthrough. This means that your VM would get dedicated access to your graphics card, while Linux uses the integrated GPU. However, your best bet for performance and compatibility is probably dual booting.
Yeah, dual booting is way easier, and you can manage storage better that way. Just make sure to have enough space for all the software and games you want.