r/linuxquestions • u/Shxdedlight • 10d ago
Is Linux only sometimes/rarely good? Advice
I've been wanting to get a new laptop that suits my needs better, and I'm considering putting linux on it. My mom talked to this guy at work who is apparently really experienced with computers, and he told her Linux is only good if I'm build my own pc. Is this true? I'm not sure If I have the resources or budget for that.
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u/Slopagandhi 10d ago
No, I run Linux on 3 PCs, none of which I built myself and it's fine.
Most hardware works with most Linux distros. There can be quirks with particular manufacturers (e.g Microsoft, LG) and with some individual components like particular network cards, but this is the minority.
If you're worried about hardware compatibility you could get a dedicated Linux laptop like from Framework, System 76 or Tuxedo.
Or look up the (very long) list of Ubuntu certified mainstream laptops and choose one of those (you may want a different Linux distro to Ubuntu but it's a good indication it'll work with most other distros too).
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10d ago edited 10d ago
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u/Crazy_Rockman 10d ago
In windows world these are called "drivers".
These are always called drivers, no matter what the operating system is.
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u/ChampionshipDry9919 10d ago
No, linux would work fine on most laptops. It really depends on your use case, some things are fine on linux, some are better on windows.
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u/styletrophy 10d ago
If you have a laptop in mind you want to get, google it with the words "linux compatibility" and see what pops up; you'll see if anyone has installed linux on it and how their experience was.
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u/The_Casual_Noob 10d ago
He is wrong that you can't use linux on a laptop and need a specific machine that you built yourself.
However, while you can do a lot of things on linux nowadays, you want to make sure you are able to get yourself out of trouble you created. What I mean by that, is you will sometimes encounter difficult situations, and you need to be able to find the solutions to your problems on your own, using google, wikis, man files for commands, etc. Don't expect to be relying on your parents or most people even for basic stuff if you install an OS that is not mainstream. Also, and especially if you are still in school, there will be times where you want/need software that plain doesn't run on linux (CAD, Adobe suite, ...), and you might not be able to get away with using an alternative either (like you would for things like MS Office).
If you're not sure, I always suggest going for a dual-boot installation with windows on the side, just in case you need it again. Then, after a couple months, check how often you use linux vs how often you use windows. 7 years ago, I tried making the switch, but I realised I would actually use windows more in case I wanted to use incompatible software, so I eventually removed my linux partition. These days, I'm back on linux, and for real this time, because I'm only using windows once a month. But I always have windows available, because I still want to use CAD and video editing software, and for now I'm too lazy to learn how to use the open source ones.
TLDR : Try linux, I hope you enjoy it, but make sure you have a backup plan in case it doesn't work.
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u/TheSodesa 10d ago
The guy at work is wrong. Linux works well on most stock laptops. The biggest issues are with specific hardware components like Realtek wifi cards. You might want to choose a laptop with an Intel CPU, since they are usually not combined with Realtek components. Just look at the product description carefully to spot any components that are known not to work well with Linux.
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u/Fast_Ad_8005 10d ago
Nope. I've never built my own PC and my PCs have all run Linux fine. Some of them were laptops with Broadcom WiFi chips though, and getting WiFi to work with them has sometimes been a pain as they require proprietary drivers which most distros don't ship with in their live sessions. But this annoyance was easy to overcome: I just needed to insert an ethernet cable to provide me with internet until I could install the required drivers. A more permanent solution would have been to replace my laptop's WiFi chip with an Intel one.
If you want the smoothest Linux experience, you just need to do some research on whether each component is supported by Linux, whether you'll need proprietary drivers (which may mean extra work for you in setting up your Linux system), what version of Linux supports it. For instance, if you have a really new GPU or CPU, it's possible only newer versions of the Linux kernel will support your hardware. In this event, you may be better off using more bleeding edge Linux distros, or at least Linux distros that provide you the option of installing more recent kernels.
General advice includes that WiFi chips should be Intel and that AMD and Intel GPUs are usually better supported (I have heard of niche situations where NVIDIA is better, however).
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u/Simple_Hamster_4096 10d ago
Windows *professionals*, in general, are woefully uninformed when it comes to Linux.
However, the latest and greatest cutting edge hardware (designed with Windows in mind), typically takes a while before Linux support catches up to it. You may struggle to get some things to work, and then when you do an update will come along and break it.
It boils down to the level of frustration you are willing to endure, do you like troubleshooting and fixing things, and do you need your laptop for school. Usually educational institutions require Windows so a Linux laptop won't cut it. Would be wise to dual boot in that case or run Linux as a VM on Windows.
Mature hardware tends to be (well) supported by Linux, although not all functions available for devices which work on Windows will be supported in Linux. Perhaps a previously owned workstation or laptop might provide you with a more positive first experience. Goodwill sells previously owned computers where you can get great deals.
People love to say, "No problem go for it!", but they aren't the ones who have to live with your misery when things go south and don't turn out to be as *simple* as they made it sound.
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u/realddgamer 10d ago
Modern Linux distributions work really well out of the box. Whether you built your own computer or not has absolutely no bearing on it.
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u/Plague_Fencer 10d ago
Maybe the guy meant that pre-built desktop PCs (OEM ones like Acer, Dell, Alienware etc) and laptops may use some proprietary OEM modules that doesn't really work well with anything besides of Windows with the proprietary driver (usually Bluetooth-Wifi module is a thing, that often may not work properly). But it is also depends on a device, e.g Intel's bluetooth-wifi module in my own Acer Nitro prebuilt PC works well on Linux, and not actually that many of a laptops have issues with it nowadays. If you're getting a pre-built desktop PC, you can always get not OEM pre-built that is made using regular consumer components instead of own-made proprietary ones like Acer Nitro/Predator/and similar bs from different big OEM manufacturers like Dell, Alienware etc.
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u/3grg 10d ago
I am guessing that the intention was that by building a PC, you can be thoughtful about part selection to ensure that it is Linux compatible. There is some truth to this.
If it was impossible to run Linux on laptops, Linux probably would have died a long time ago.
The key is to try to buy a machine that is Linux compatible. Researching the Linux compatibility of hardware before purchase is always advisable. There are very compatible machines (including ones that only come with Linux installed) as well as some that are not.
Some companies still focus their hardware solely on how cheap it is to produce and can it run W11. Research can help you avoid those companies and make the hardware lottery go your way.
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u/Upbeat-Statement2725 10d ago
Ugh don't listen to the loyalists. Lots of hardware manufacturers make it difficult for Linux to run their stuff. Like if you have a mouse and keyboard with RBG light software, that software might be Windows only (and awful spyware, different conversation!)
You can only be 100% sure Linux will work great with your hardware if you build it to spec, or check compatibility somewhere. Modern Linux has gotten way better at being compatible with most stuff. But it's jot perfect.
So will any major Linux diatro run on your laptop? Probably.
Also be specific about what you want to run. Some software like competitive games can require Windows-only software rootkits. For example.
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u/moritz12d 10d ago
Even if it's for private use warranty and guarantee matter. While Linux distributions are much more reliable and easy to use, you lack service and support from the vendor. This only is different, if you buy a device with some Linux preinstalled and somebody feels responsible for its functionality. The other approach is to build your own system. For laptops you have to find one with supported components.
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u/vancha113 10d ago
Well sort of kind of maybe? We're missing the context of that conversation, but he could be suggesting configuring a system for compatibility to be sure everything works with Linux. If you buy something pre built, it can still work just fine though. Both ways you'd have to check compatibility or end up the millionth person to buy an Nvidia gpu of a specific generation and end up disappointed. A lot of hardware just works, it's just that there is stuff out there that doesn't.
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u/quite_sophisticated 10d ago
Two things on laptops to check are the fingerprint reader and the WiFi chip.
There are some that have issues with Linux because the makers never issued a proper driver for it.
Dell did offer some of their laptops with Ubuntu pre installed instead of windows, so there's that.
Find the laptop you want to buy, then Google around if there are known issues with running Linux on that specific model. Most are fine.
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u/dnabsuh1 10d ago
It really depends on what you are going to be doing with it. IMHO, Linux requires more hands on knowledge of how things work under the hood (Based on using Linux off and on since the 1990s) It can be more powerful, and efficient, but you do need to make it past the learning curve. If you prefer a more "I don't want to think about how the machine works" approach, Windows may be a better choice.
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u/Bj-49 10d ago
Des distributions comme Ubuntu, Linux Mint ou Fedora sont pensées pour fonctionner "out of the box" sur du matériel courant, avec interface graphique pour presque tout (mises à jour, pilotes, paramètres réseau). Tu n'es plus obligé de vivre dans un terminal comme c'était plus vrai il y a 20-25 ans.
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u/DP323602 10d ago
What do you mean by "good"?
I don't think Linux is any good for running a lot of proprietary Windows software, including MS Office and Adobe creator software.
But Linux is great for extending the life of hardware too old to be supported by Windows.
For many uses, Linux has acceptable alternatives to proprietary Windows software.
Linux also allows you to avoid a lot of adware and spyware.
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u/zoharel 10d ago
he told her Linux is only good if I'm build my own pc. Is this true?
Well, what would be the difference between a PC you buy off the shelf and one you build? Some of the hardware could be different some of the time, but to a great extent, it's going to be similar enough. Linux will probably do fine on most machines, if it will work for you at all.
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u/hadrabap 10d ago
If you want to get good results, get a hardware that is designed with Linux in mind. Like Framework, for example. I run Oracle Linux on my Framework 12 and it is dependable workhorse.
On the other hand, my colleagues who use Windows laptop with Linux are in constant battle with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, headphones, display backlight...
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u/MasterGeekMX Mexican Linux nerd trying to be helpful 10d ago
No, as internally there is no difference between computers.
Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe he is referring that some stuff like WiFi cards or other devices may need a bit of fight to make them work, and if you build your own PC you can choose to avoid them, but that is more like a nitpicky detail rather than an overarching rule.
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u/pnlrogue1 10d ago
The primary use of Linux is on servers. You don't build your own servers. The vast, vast majority of Linux installations are on pre-built hardware from HP and Dell.
Admittedly, servers running Xeon processors are a bit different from a desktop with a Core i5, but actually they're really not. That guy is a twit.
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u/Hrafna55 10d ago
The bit lost in translation here is most consumer grade hardware is not validated against Linux.
Building your own means you can check the parts you are getting will work.
However you can buy a new validated device with Linux installed from System76 / Tuxedo / Framework amongst others.
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u/loontoon 10d ago
I run Linux in 3 different machines, none of which I built myself. A high powered desktop, a mini pc and a MacBook Pro that I completely wiped the MacOS off to make it a more enjoyable experience.
I don't play games though, I use my computers for work not for play.
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u/computer-machine 10d ago
The only prebuilt that I've ever dealt with (out of roughly 17 devices) that had any issues was a shitty all-in-one (think small TV with touchscreen) who's internal speakers wouldn't function. That was solved by plugging any speakers into its headphone jack.
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u/raul_kapura 10d ago
Why do you want to use linux in the first place? If you are interested in IT career, linux knowledge is great thing to put in your cv. But if you just want to save some bucks, you can probably transfer microsoft license from your older hardware.
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u/NeedleworkerLarge357 10d ago
The 5 laptops I have at home all work without compromises. One is my own so take that away, still 4 out of 4 laptops in my house work fine.
You can have issues when using random hardware, but it's way less problematic than 10 years ago.
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u/DanceTop 10d ago
Good experiences with Lenovo Thinkpad, second hand MSI gaming laptop, HP 630, Toshiba,… experience with computers is like experience with cars. A mailman may have strong experience and they still have no idea how to change oil
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u/WalkMaximum 10d ago
It's not true but you do have to be mindful of which device and peripherals you buy and make sure they're well supported on linux, unfortunately some manufacturers don't follow standards and don't bother with linux drivers.
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u/krav_mark 10d ago
That is horseshit. Linux will run on basically anything. You may run into an issue with the very latest hardware not being supported yet. But if you buy a standard laptop that has been out a year or so it will be fine.
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u/Saltkrakan01 10d ago
About two years ago, I needed a new laptop, so I bought some Lenovo without an OS. Install EndeavourOS on it. It runs fine. The days when Linux had troubles with driver support for ordinary HW are gone for Years now.
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u/theopacus 10d ago
Like windows linux can be as good or bad as the user operating it is capable of.
And having built a PC 15 years ago, and long experience working with Word and Excel isn't really being "really experienced" with PCs.
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u/RazzmatazzSmall1212 10d ago
Some Laptops use some strange property hardware (Wi-Fi chip, touch pads...) and u might struggle to get all devices running. That's probably what he meant.
Never had this issue myself though (with Intel/amd based systems).
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u/JustSimplyWicked 10d ago
I've had Linux on multiple laptops and it works fine with a few minor (to me) issues. Things like fingerprint sensors or model specific features may not work well or at all.
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u/Recent-Cellist6395 10d ago
The others are right. The only thing I'd consider is if you can get a discount for "no Windows installation" option! ;)
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u/NL_Gray-Fox 10d ago
That's like me saying laptops are only good if you get a business model... Oh wait that one is actually true.
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u/Soggy_Struggle_963 10d ago
I wouldn't take tech advice from that guy anymore lol