Switching from Windows to Linux: What do I need to know?

Just a heads-up, Linux doesn't run Windows software natively, so things like MS Office won't work. You'll have to find alternatives. One strategy for an older computer is to get a separate SSD for Linux; they're pretty cheap at around $15. That way, your original SSD with all your data stays safe! Plus, using an external drive can help with backups.

Using Linux isn't like hopping into a new version of Windows; it's a whole new system! If you mainly use a browser, the switch might be smooth, but for power users, it could be a challenge. Also, if you wipe Windows, you'll lose all your files, so make sure to back them up to an external drive first. Plus, figure out which apps you'll need Linux versions of before you take the plunge!

Check out the installation guide for Linux Mint; it's user-friendly! Just keep in mind that if you don't back up your files before installing, they’ll be lost during the process. Always back up first!

It all comes down to how you handle the installation. Many Linux distributions let you test them in a live mode before installing, so you can see how partitioning works without risking data loss. I'd recommend doing some practice runs in a virtual machine to really understand the process before committing!