I'm currently using a Lenovo Legion 5 Slim mainly for college tasks like programming, editing, and browsing, with the occasional gaming session. My primary OS is Windows, but I've been considering switching to Linux—specifically, CachyOS. I've actually been testing CachyOS from a USB drive for a while, but I still need to use Windows for certain college applications that are only compatible with it. I really want to avoid dual booting. What are my options for running Windows applications on Linux while keeping my setup simple?
5 Answers
How about getting an older Thinkpad for your college work? You can find them for around $80. Many colleges rely heavily on Windows, and you'd likely avoid a lot of headaches with dual booting. I've seen restrictions even on campus Wi-Fi for Linux users!
Don't mess with your Windows installation. Just buy an external hard drive and run Linux from there. It keeps your Windows intact and maintained for college needs. I've been using Linux this way for years and it works well!
For more guidance, check out some migration tips on YouTube. You can find videos about Ventoy Stick and even try out various distros to see what fits you best!
You should definitely check out Bottles! It allows you to run Windows apps by adding the .exe files and choosing a compatibility layer like Wine or Proton. Flatpaks are easy to set up, and you can follow the Arch instructions online if you need help!
I get where you're coming from! It's really important not to compromise on your educational tools. Keeping Windows as your main system makes sense for college work. Focus on your studies, then explore Linux at your own pace.
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