Hey everyone! After almost 12 years, I'm planning to return to Linux as my main desktop OS and could really use some guidance. I used to be an Ubuntu user from around 2005 to 2013, but since then, I moved to Windows (8.1 and then 10) for work. I've kept some connection to Linux through WSL and other devices, but I'm feeling a bit lost with all the changes. I have a capable machine from 2017 with an AMD Ryzen, 32GB RAM, and a decent video card, so I want to make a comprehensive return. Here are a few specifics I'd like to dive into:
1. How similar is modern Gnome to what I knew as Gnome 3?
2. What's the current landscape on using Snaps and Flatpaks versus traditional APT packages? Are APT packages still the go-to?
3. I'm not into gaming; do I need to worry about graphics support differences between AMD and NVIDIA?
4. Is there anything to watch for when using 4K@60hz DP, especially with KVM setups?
5. I'm a fan of encryption and found Windows' Bitlocker convenient. How does full disk encryption work on Linux these days?
6. For OneDrive-like syncing, what's available on Linux that won't require me to host my own server?
7. How has the experience with remote access like RDP improved?
8. What about support for transferring files via MTP with Android?
9. Lastly, are there good pre-built desktops besides System76, and how crucial is Linux OEM support these days?
Thanks for any clarity you can provide!
5 Answers
As for 4K@60hz with a KVM, if your KVM is of good quality, you shouldn’t encounter issues. Just be cautious about the less reliable ones that don’t maintain proper connections or EDID emulation. A good KVM will treat everything the same as if the monitors were directly connected.
Ubuntu is really pushing Snap packages these days, and they've even replaced some APT packages with dummy ones that just call Snap. However, if you stick with Debian you'll find APT is still the primary method. It really depends on what distro you choose and how you plan to manage your packages.
MTP support has improved a lot, and on many distros, you should just see your Android show up in the file manager automatically! I find using KDE Connect to be faster for transferring files wirelessly than MTP; plus, if you move big files occasionally, ADB push is reliable.
For syncing files like OneDrive, Syncthing is a great option since it allows peer-to-peer private syncing without needing a dedicated server. It can keep your folders up to date across devices fairly effortlessly without the hassle of self-hosting anything.
Debian has had a stable release pretty recently, and it's now quite modern! If you're looking for something newer than what's out, consider using the backports repo for some fresh packages without too much hassle. But honestly, for the most part, Debian is solid and shouldn't feel outdated at all.
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