I've used Windows my entire life and I really like its file explorer and familiar interface, but I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with all the built-in AI features and extra clutter. Since I spend a lot of time gaming, I'm considering switching my Asus TUF Gaming A15 laptop to Linux. I'm a complete beginner and want something fast, smooth, and reasonably similar to Windows, with a capable file manager. How well does Linux work for gaming on this laptop, and which beginner-friendly distribution and desktop environment would you recommend?
4 Answers
A gaming-focused Fedora-based option such as Bazzite can be convenient because it comes with many gaming-related tools already configured. It works well with Steam and can be a good fit for older gaming laptops, though it may feel less traditional than Mint. Before installing, back up your files and check the laptop's graphics drivers, battery life, sleep behavior, and external display support.
For a Windows-like interface, KDE Plasma is worth considering. It is fast, highly customizable, and has a feature-rich file manager called Dolphin. Linux Mint Cinnamon is simpler for a first installation, while Fedora KDE or another KDE-based distribution gives you a more polished and customizable desktop. Either way, keep a Windows installation or recovery option available until you've confirmed that all your games and hardware behave as expected.
Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop is probably the easiest starting point. It has a familiar Windows-like layout, a straightforward software manager, and a capable file manager. You can test it from a USB drive before installing anything, which is a good way to check whether your Wi-Fi, graphics, audio, and touchpad work properly.
Gaming on Linux is much better than it used to be, especially for Steam games through Proton. The main things to check are your specific game library and whether any multiplayer titles use kernel-level anti-cheat, since those can still be incompatible. NVIDIA graphics can also require a little extra setup, depending on the exact hardware in your laptop. A compatibility database can help you check games before making the switch.
A lot of multiplayer games work perfectly now, but anti-cheat support is still very game-dependent. Checking your favorite games individually is more useful than assuming all games will work or fail.