I'm ready to say goodbye to Windows and dive into Linux, but as a graphic designer, I rely on several software programs that I've purchased. I want to set up a virtual machine that can support pen features so I can use programs like Photoshop and Clip Studio effectively. Good performance is key since I occasionally play some games that don't run on Linux. The reason I'm leaning towards a virtual machine over dual booting is simply because I find it exhausting to restart my computer and switch operating systems. Plus, my current SSD isn't the fastest for booting. I'm considering distros like CachyOs, Nobara, or Mint but I'm open to suggestions. My PC specs are: Ryzen 5 3600, GTX 1660 Super 6GB, 32GB RAM, and a mix of HDD and SSDs for storage.
5 Answers
While VMs can be convenient, keep in mind that they might not perform as well as running the OS natively. If performance is a major concern for your tasks, dual-booting may be the better choice in the long run. Just a thought!
You should definitely look into using KVM with Virt-Manager. It can handle USB and GPU passthrough to give your VM the resources it needs! Just keep in mind that some games that won't run on Linux might also struggle in a VM due to anti-cheat systems.
When I wanted to switch to Linux, I set up a cheap old PC and used a KVM switch. This allowed me to keep using Windows while I figured out Linux on the side. It’s pretty handy! Just switch between computers as needed until you feel ready to go full-on Linux.
Using VMware is a solid option. It worked great for me when I installed Linux on a VM. Performance can depend on how demanding your software is, but you should get decent results with hardware acceleration enabled.
Check out the migration page on the wiki! It has some handy tips and info for folks transitioning from Windows to Linux. Just make sure when you're downloading software to only use root permissions when you absolutely need to, and verify your ISO checksums!
That’s true! Many games have issues with anti-cheat in virtual environments. Just something to be aware of if you plan on gaming.