I've used Windows my entire life and know very little about Linux. I'm increasingly frustrated with Windows 10 being pushed toward Windows 11, along with the ads, background services, accounts, and general noise. I like the idea of a cleaner system with more visual customization, but I'm worried Linux might be too complicated for someone who isn't especially technical.
I use my laptop for digital art, animation, music, video editing, and some gaming. My main applications are Kdenlive, REAPER, Clip Studio, Douga App, Moho, Rebelle Pro, Blender, and Obsidian. I also use several VSTs for music and sound work. Clip Studio and Rebelle Pro are especially important to me, and I participate in group projects where Clip Studio is commonly expected, so I would prefer not to replace them with alternatives.
Most of my games are played through Steam, including Hollow Knight, Slay the Spire, Don't Starve, and Don't Starve Together. I also play Minecraft. I'd like to know how well these games and creative tools work on Linux, particularly the animation programs, Rebelle Pro, and music plugins.
Would Linux be practical for me? If so, should I start with Linux Mint, Fedora, or something else? I'd also appreciate advice on trying Linux without immediately removing Windows, since I may need Windows for software that doesn't work reliably on Linux.
4 Answers
Linux Mint would probably be the gentlest starting point for someone coming from Windows. Fedora is also a good choice, and a Fedora-based gaming-focused option may be worth considering if you want newer drivers and packages. The desktop environment is separate from the distribution; the foot-like symbol you remember was probably associated with a desktop environment rather than Linux itself. Whichever option you choose, test your graphics tablet, audio interface, printers, and other hardware from a live USB before installing. You can customize the appearance extensively, but you don't need command-line knowledge for ordinary use.
Most of your general software should be fine. Kdenlive, REAPER, Blender, and Obsidian have Linux versions, and Steam games that support Proton usually run well. Minecraft Java Edition also works very well, often with excellent performance. The uncertain part is your animation software: Clip Studio, Douga App, and Moho don't have official Linux support, so running them through Wine-based tools can be hit or miss. Rebelle Pro has worked for some users through compatibility layers, but updates can break things.
The easiest way to find out is to try Linux without committing to it. You can boot a live USB, run it in a virtual machine, or install it alongside Windows in a dual-boot setup. That lets you use Linux for everyday tasks while keeping Windows available for any program that refuses to cooperate. Linux isn't reserved for people who understand every internal detail, and beginner-friendly distributions work much like a normal desktop operating system.
I didn't realize I could try it without uninstalling Windows. A live USB or dual boot sounds much less intimidating.
Music production is another area where dual booting is often the sensible choice. REAPER itself works well on Linux, but VST compatibility varies a lot, especially with Windows-only plugins and complicated installers. Some can be made to work with Wine and related tools, but troubleshooting them can become a project. If your animation work depends on Clip Studio or your sound work depends on particular VSTs, keeping Windows for those tasks will save you frustration.
I got Clip Studio running through a Wine setup for a while, but an update eventually broke it. For work that depends on a specific version, I'd keep Windows available rather than rely on it completely.