I’ve been using Linux on and off for about 15 years, but was never able to make the leap to using it full-time until PopOS. It’s been painless to use and does everything I need with only minor tweaks. Thank you System76! I can’t wait until the Cosmic DE is released.
(too bad about the name, though…)
I use Linux all over for my server hosting, but not desktop OS. Out of curiosity, what were the things that held you back from using it full time? (Others feel free to share too please)
I will go first - gaming. I do also have a SteamDeck so I am fully aware that there has been lots of advancements there and that is great. For the most part, the games I currently play seem to play just fine on it (and I know some of that could be the Deck more than Linux itself). With all that said, I am still skittish about fully committing as my main desktop OS.
I have a Windows desktop for gaming so that was a non-issue for me. As mentioned in another reply, laptop-specific things like power consumption and lid closing work as expected. Plus, it’s just painless to use overall. With other distros there was always something.
Games seem to be the thing that holds people back. I think it definitely depends on what games you play as my experience has been pretty smooth. A little tinkering … but it’s a new OS so that’s expected. Check out protondb.com to keep an eye on games you play to see what their playability is like.
Having said that … it’s been about 3 weeks and I only needed to boot into Windows for a few hours when Ubisoft Connect got an update and broke proton compatibility. Blizzard is now bringing lots of games to Steam which will also help a ton.
Can’t play the games I want. Destiny 2 is the holdup currently.
There are definitely sacrifices going to Linux for gaming. I feel like proton and the steam deck are just now opening the door for Linux gaming to be taken somewhat seriously. The more users switch, the more seriously we’ll be taken as customers, I hope anyways. And hopefully those sacrifices will become less and less.
I actually keep a wish list of things that I need on Linux before I can move fully over. We’re getting closer every day. :)
I used it full time at work but what kept me from using it full time at home was, of course, games. Once the Stream Deck took off I switched, no dual-boot. Only way Windows shows up on my screens is via virt-viewer or remmina now.
Have you tried dual booting, and trying to switch?
I set up a dual boot with Windows 10 and Mint on my PC. I found that I was sticking with Windows because it was what I knew, but then an update broke the Windows boot files.
The usual repairs didn’t work, so I started using Mint full time while I was looking for solutions that didn’t just want me to reinstall. I realised after the first few days that I wasn’t missing much from Windows, and it was just the Windows only software like Photoshop that was holding me back. I’m looking into switching the last few things over now so that I can go to Mint full time 👍
Not a bad idea. I might do this on my laptop (I have a desktop too for main gaming). My laptop has a dual screen too, so if I try this, I will report back on the experience.
Good luck :)
So, I did this by booting to USB. Obviously I cannot just performance really, but I did even manage to install Valheim and run it from the USB.Some things worked out of box and some did not. I have and Asus Zephyr 15” dual screen and there seems to be a set of drivers and interface for that, but I didn’t go that far. Screen seemed to work, sound wouldn’t adjust , got keyboard lights working and etc.
Overall, it is better than what I remember. I think with more effort, might be able to get it all working but I am not currently patient enough to really see it through. We will see!