Hey everyone! I've mostly used Windows all my life, with only a bit of Linux experience from my Steam Deck and a physics class way back in university. Now with Windows 11 coming out, I'm contemplating making the switch to Linux. I have a six-year-old gaming PC that I mainly use for gaming (Steam, web browsing, online banking, and some printing). Plus, I have a very old notebook that I plan to use for testing. Here's my plan: 1) Choose a Linux distribution. 2) Format the notebook's hard drive and install Linux on it. I'm fine with any loss since I don't use it much. 3) Mess around with it. 4) If I like it, I might get a new gaming PC and install Linux there too. This way, I'll have my old gaming PC with Windows 10 as a backup if needed. Now I have some questions: 1) Am I doing this right? 2) What distribution should I pick? I've heard that gaming on Linux is easier thanks to Proton. 3) Will I encounter issues? 4) How hard are everyday tasks like connecting a printer? 5) Any general tips or things I might be missing? Thanks!
1 Answer
Your approach sounds solid! Just keep in mind that the specs of your old notebook are important. If it's really outdated, you might want to consider lighter distributions than those you'd use for your gaming PC. Double-check the compatibility of your favorite games on ProtonDB before diving in, as many run just fine, but some may have issues with certain hardware. Tasks like connecting a printer have become a lot easier now, but if you have an Nvidia GPU, the driver installation can be a little tricky. If you have an AMD GPU, you're in luck because they usually work right out of the box with most distros. For your old laptop, I'd recommend Linux Mint since it's beginner-friendly, but be cautious if you decide to use it for future gaming.
Got it, I’ll look into the specs for my notebook! I've been out of the loop, but is Proton something that comes ready to go with gaming distros?