How do I know? because I JUST tried to move over to linux.
First I tried Zorin OS, and TBH it pretty much worked right out of the box.
BUT!
My monitor would only go up to 120hz Refresh rate, even though it can do 144hz natively. And games that are supposed to work on Linux (Arma 3) did not work no matter what I did. And forget about VR.
So I tried Arch.
And Jesus Christ…
Zorin was as easy to install as windows.
ARCH is actively trying to stop you from installing it.
So I did what most people do and youtube’d how to install Arch and oh my god, I encountered the living embodiment of the “Linux user meme” so hard when I did that.
But I finally was sort of able to get it up and running. Of course there are no list of packages that you will need for the smooth operating of Arch. Like I dunno, how about a file manager?
So I said fuck it and was going to try to install steamOS. but I fucked up formatting the drives and USB drive.
Fortunately, I had an old windows installer kicking around and finally able to get windows re-installed.
So my opinion for now is simply “Not ready for prime time… yet.”
But when it does maybe I will give it another try.
Havent tried out zorinOS but so far i never hat problems running games under Linux : steam + proton experimental just makes it as easy AS downloading via steam and hitting the play button - literally die nothing else (have used Linux mint first now Debian - Debian required a bit oft fiddeling for steam but not with individual games)
arma is an annoying one because it’s a bespoke engine with a lot of deep windows integration, coming from the fact that parts of it is from 1995. add online multiplayer anticheat to that and it gets even more difficult.
that said, i got it running on linux in like… 2019, so i would have thought it to be easier now.
On the other hand, I set up a dual boot with 1 of my 4 ssds being available to both OS just in case. That was 8 or so months ago, and I haven’t booted into Windows 10 once since then.
My 165hz monitors are fine at 165, and that was without any config (NobaraOS). All the games I actively play work fine, and the closest thing to an issue is have is my H.O.T.A.S. registering only 12 or so buttons/switches instead of the much larger amount it has, but i haven’t put any effort into figuring it out because I only use it for one game.
Experiences vary, but I feel like you’re judging a whole platform from choosing a simple Windows replacement then switching to one of the harder OS’s to setup.
There’s plenty designed more for gaming which seems to be your monitor setup.
If I do go back it, will be back to Zorin. very simple installation, and everything worked. For example, on Zorin, my bluetooth would connect to my headphones just fine. On Arch, they saw my headphones, but refused to connect. I tried a few fixes I found online but just gave up and went wired.
I’ve used Ubuntu for years and it’s easy to install and widely supports all the things I need. Bazzite is also a great option. I’ve never been interested in Arch and SteamOS just came out for desktop so I’d rather not be an early adopter when Bazzite is already ironed out and waiting to be installed.
Love steamOS on my deck, but see no use for it on my Desktop atm.
Windows 11 is actually spyware garbage and I won’t have it in my house.
I don’t see a reason to use Windows for gaming if you don’t play games with anticheat. I have a 9070XT so it just works with Linux. Left Nvidia and Linux is much happier.
dual booting just makes things more difficult. windows likes to silently change things in the bios and on disk drives it manages, basically pulling the rug out from under linux. you can mitigate it by making linux aware of the fact but that’s not the default behaviour, because again dual booting isn’t really recommended.
Linux isn’t there yet.
How do I know? because I JUST tried to move over to linux.
First I tried Zorin OS, and TBH it pretty much worked right out of the box.
BUT!
My monitor would only go up to 120hz Refresh rate, even though it can do 144hz natively. And games that are supposed to work on Linux (Arma 3) did not work no matter what I did. And forget about VR.
So I tried Arch.
And Jesus Christ…
Zorin was as easy to install as windows.
ARCH is actively trying to stop you from installing it.
So I did what most people do and youtube’d how to install Arch and oh my god, I encountered the living embodiment of the “Linux user meme” so hard when I did that.
But I finally was sort of able to get it up and running. Of course there are no list of packages that you will need for the smooth operating of Arch. Like I dunno, how about a file manager?
So I said fuck it and was going to try to install steamOS. but I fucked up formatting the drives and USB drive.
Fortunately, I had an old windows installer kicking around and finally able to get windows re-installed.
So my opinion for now is simply “Not ready for prime time… yet.”
But when it does maybe I will give it another try.
Windows isn’t there either. We’re just used to it.
And my impression is that they currently rather make things worse rather than better.
Skill issue. Everything works for me. I use Arch btw
^^^This is the other “Linux user meme” More than happy to tear someone down and not offer help.
I’m sorry your delightful parody of failed install went over their heads, please continue posting your eccentric new-to-linux word art
Havent tried out zorinOS but so far i never hat problems running games under Linux : steam + proton experimental just makes it as easy AS downloading via steam and hitting the play button - literally die nothing else (have used Linux mint first now Debian - Debian required a bit oft fiddeling for steam but not with individual games)
arma is an annoying one because it’s a bespoke engine with a lot of deep windows integration, coming from the fact that parts of it is from 1995. add online multiplayer anticheat to that and it gets even more difficult.
that said, i got it running on linux in like… 2019, so i would have thought it to be easier now.
On the other hand, I set up a dual boot with 1 of my 4 ssds being available to both OS just in case. That was 8 or so months ago, and I haven’t booted into Windows 10 once since then.
My 165hz monitors are fine at 165, and that was without any config (NobaraOS). All the games I actively play work fine, and the closest thing to an issue is have is my H.O.T.A.S. registering only 12 or so buttons/switches instead of the much larger amount it has, but i haven’t put any effort into figuring it out because I only use it for one game.
Experiences vary, but I feel like you’re judging a whole platform from choosing a simple Windows replacement then switching to one of the harder OS’s to setup.
There’s plenty designed more for gaming which seems to be your monitor setup.
Honestly, I’d go for Mint instead of Zorin or Bazzite instead of SteamOS.
Those have treated me well in my light usage over the past few years.
If I do go back it, will be back to Zorin. very simple installation, and everything worked. For example, on Zorin, my bluetooth would connect to my headphones just fine. On Arch, they saw my headphones, but refused to connect. I tried a few fixes I found online but just gave up and went wired.
I’ve used Ubuntu for years and it’s easy to install and widely supports all the things I need. Bazzite is also a great option. I’ve never been interested in Arch and SteamOS just came out for desktop so I’d rather not be an early adopter when Bazzite is already ironed out and waiting to be installed.
Love steamOS on my deck, but see no use for it on my Desktop atm.
Windows 11 is actually spyware garbage and I won’t have it in my house.
I’ll probably get around to dual booting Zorin. except I’ll be using Linux for productivity and windows for gaming.
I don’t see a reason to use Windows for gaming if you don’t play games with anticheat. I have a 9070XT so it just works with Linux. Left Nvidia and Linux is much happier.
dual booting just makes things more difficult. windows likes to silently change things in the bios and on disk drives it manages, basically pulling the rug out from under linux. you can mitigate it by making linux aware of the fact but that’s not the default behaviour, because again dual booting isn’t really recommended.