2 years of using Linux: why you may consider the switch

As a 2003 kid, I loved playing World of Warcraft, Age of Empires, PVZ and all the old school games in Windows. Back then, gaming in linux was.. not a good experience. 20+ years into the future, companies like Steam are actively advocating for Stream Deck (which uses Arch Linux), over 90% of servers & embedded systems run linux of some sort. Here, I want to convince you why you may want to consider switching to linux even as a tech or non tech person. Gaming experience Okay let's get this out of the way first. Linux gaming isn't perfect. The main reason? driver support for Nvidia based GPUs aren't the best, while for AMD that's not really an issue. However, if you're a gamer and would like to give linux a shot, I'd recommend going with linux mint Dev experience This is a middle ground, I've never had any tools that worked in windows that didn't on linux here. I mainly use: VScode/Vim Docker VirtualBox for tools like Docker & VBox -- you usually need WSL (for context: its like a linux emulator for windows) I hate that setup, its way easier to setup tools like this on linux. And with things like work-spaces (windows also has this) easily accessible by keybindings (like Ctrl + Alt + left/right) to have multiple windows! Customization This is the best part! You can literally change everything, on your own need. This is my setup (Arch Linux + Hyprland): There's key bindings like: Super + R: app drawer Super + num: workspace tab Super + Shift + L: lock screen You can add key bindings (3rd party) and customize (limited) on windows, but linux takes it to the next level. Not sold? Here's some other "ricing" setup (ref: r/unixporn subreddit): Downsides Its not all sunshine in the penguin kingdom. Some problems you'll find are: Mainly Designers: tools like adobe suite, or windows office suite won't work. Nvidia GPUs support: even though support has improved, there might still be some issues in some softwares. Learning curve: most people see OS as a tool to work, not play around with, and that's fine, It also may be more difficult to transition coming from a non-tech or depending on distro you choose. You should switch if If you fall into these categories, I'd recommend first dual booting a shot, or run on Virtual Box accordingly: for devs: ubuntu, debian, nixos (mostly used in servers) for gamers: mint, popOS. for hackers: kali, parrot for customization: any (depends more on Window Manager than distro There's a lot more I can cover like: networking linux machines to setup a home-lab ricing (customizing) linux guide linux commands for getting started. Do share what more I should get more into!

May 8, 2025 - 22:50

2 years of using Linux: why you may consider the switch

As a 2003 kid, I loved playing World of Warcraft, Age of Empires, PVZ and all the old school games in Windows.

Back then, gaming in linux was.. not a good experience. 20+ years into the future, companies like Steam are actively advocating for Stream Deck (which uses Arch Linux), over 90% of servers & embedded systems run linux of some sort.

Here, I want to convince you why you may want to consider switching to linux even as a tech or non tech person.

Gaming experience

Okay let's get this out of the way first. Linux gaming isn't perfect.
The main reason? driver support for Nvidia based GPUs aren't the best, while for AMD that's not really an issue.

However, if you're a gamer and would like to give linux a shot, I'd recommend going with linux mint

Dev experience

This is a middle ground, I've never had any tools that worked in windows that didn't on linux here.
I mainly use:

VScode/Vim
Docker
VirtualBox

for tools like Docker & VBox -- you usually need WSL (for context: its like a linux emulator for windows)

I hate that setup, its way easier to setup tools like this on linux.
And with things like work-spaces (windows also has this) easily accessible by keybindings (like Ctrl + Alt + left/right) to have multiple windows!

Customization

This is the best part! You can literally change everything, on your own need.

This is my setup (Arch Linux + Hyprland):

There's key bindings like:

Super + R: app drawer
Super + num: workspace tab
Super + Shift + L: lock screen

You can add key bindings (3rd party) and customize (limited) on windows, but linux takes it to the next level.

Not sold? Here's some other "ricing" setup (ref: r/unixporn subreddit):

Downsides

Its not all sunshine in the penguin kingdom. Some problems you'll find are:

Mainly Designers: tools like adobe suite, or windows office suite won't work.
Nvidia GPUs support: even though support has improved, there might still be some issues in some softwares.
Learning curve: most people see OS as a tool to work, not play around with, and that's fine, It also may be more difficult to transition coming from a non-tech or depending on distro you choose.

You should switch if

If you fall into these categories, I'd recommend first dual booting a shot, or run on Virtual Box accordingly:

for devs: ubuntu, debian, nixos (mostly used in servers)
for gamers: mint, popOS.
for hackers: kali, parrot
for customization: any (depends more on Window Manager than distro

There's a lot more I can cover like:

networking linux machines to setup a home-lab
ricing (customizing) linux guide
linux commands for getting started.

Do share what more I should get more into!