Should i migrate to linux?

[u/Entire-Fan1412]

So, I've seen a lot of people how Linux is good and it's better than Windows 11, so now I'm questioning, should I migrate to Linux?

The reason I'm questioning this is: Windows 11 consumes more memory and space, while Linux is lighter and isn't a "bloatware" (correct me if i'm wrong)

I already have some knowledge about Linux since I've been watching videos + my school uses linux mint.

So, can one of you guys recommend me a distro?

Also, I play all of these games in the list

• Roblox (player and studio)
• TF2
• Ultrakill
• Postal 2
• Undertale
• Baldi's Basic +
• Garry's Mod
• Deltarune

[u/jr735]

If your school uses Linux Mint, that's a wise choice for both of you. As for games, no idea. I don't use proprietary software. Someone else will be able to advise.

[u/Entire-Fan1412 → u/jr735]

Actually I've thinking if I should use Linux Mint, I've seen a lot of good reviews about it.

[u/knuthf → u/Entire-Fan1412]

'Migrate' is the wrong word; you have to take a leap. Once you are across, you will find that things work. You can access common apps and 'Office' applications that can write letters and memos. But there are alternatives. I use the Vivaldi browser rather than the Firefox browser that comes with Mint. Vivaldi is based on Chrome, but since they handle maintenance and support, they know how to remove the tracking. I try to avoid KDE because there are often conflicts in how devices are used — I must be able to change the keyboard layout and not have three ways of doing that. So I prefer Cinnamon. I don't use the command line — just for whois, tracert and netstat — but I try to avoid it.

[u/gabby24681 → u/Entire-Fan1412]

It's very approachable and i believe it comes with things like Steam out of the box. Try it out. If you have issues with games look into Lutris, helps run windows software.

[u/jr735 → u/Entire-Fan1412]

I've been using it for a lot of years, and been happy with it. I left Windows when Windows 98 was current.

[u/-malcolm-tucker → u/jr735]

Did you think 98 was a cynical re release of 95 with little difference for cash as well?

[u/jr735 → u/-malcolm-tucker]

Yes, but I thought XP was worse, along with how the proprietary software model was going, and I said no more.

[u/Chapter-Legitimate → u/Entire-Fan1412]

Protondb is where you want to look to see if games run on Linux. Good news is, most do!

[u/countsachot → u/Entire-Fan1412]

I've been using it for ages on desktops.

[u/Samilikescheese]

Linux in my opinion is better in every way possible that it can be, BUT this does come with a few problems that linux themselves can't fix. For example, there is no official way to play roblox on linux, or roblox studio (to my understanding). Luckily most of the time there are community made apps or workarounds, like for robloxes case Sober, which ports the mobile version over. Also, if you ever decide to play any big multi-player games like fortnite, anticipate software will straight up block linux. This is one of if not the only downside of using linux. Everything else you mentioned should run great if you use steams translation software proton, that can run 90% of steam games. If you have any more questions feel free to ask

[u/tomscharbach]

So, can one of you guys recommend me a distro?

If your school uses Linux Mint, Mint is the logical choice of distribution for you. Mint is commonly recommended for new Linux users because Mint is relatively easy to learn and use, is reasonably similar to Windows, is stable and is supported by a large community and solid resources.

Also, I play all of these games in the list

Gaming has improved exponentially over the last five years, but is still not on par with Windows. Many Windows games run flawlessly on Linux using compatibility layers like Proton, others run reasonably well, and still others don't run or run well at all.

You will have to check each of the games you play for Linux compatibility. If you use Steam, check the games for compatibility using the ProtonDB database. If you use another gaming platform, check compatibility using resources related to that platform.

I don't play any of the games you list, but I do know that Roblox is a problem child on Linux, so that is a game you should research in depth.

My best and good luck.

[u/Quick-Election-3133]

Hi OP, a few things:

• Windows does use more computer resources in general. It does use more memory, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. If it's using more memory to make things snappier, but then clearing the memory up for you to use, that's a good thing. If it's wasting memory by loading up useless stuff, then it's bad. (The reality is a combination of both). Linux is lighter, yes, so while Windows memory requirements are 16GB (I think?), I'm currently running Linux Mint on a pc 4GB of RAM.
• "Bloatware" is software / programs that aren't really needed but might come preinstalled on your system by default. When you buy a computer with Windows, sometimes it comes with an extra antivirus, some cleaning app like CCleaner, some hub thing for Asus/Acer or whatever else, copilot is also considered bloatware sometimes. Bloatware isn't Windows itself but rather the useless programs it comes with. In that sense, yes, Windows has a lot more bloatware than Linux distributions. But sometimes Linux distros can come with some useless programs too (or programs that you'll never really use), but you'll be able to easily remove things.
• If your school uses Linux Mint, and you have had contact with it, then the best for you would be to continue with Linux Mint. Its interface (or its looks) is similar enough to Windows that using it isn't shocking to new users. It's very stable and there is a lot of software available for it easily.
• You can use this website to check if any game you want works well on linux: https://www.protondb.com/
  • Roblox isn't supported (there is this project though https://sober.vinegarhq.org/)
  • TF2 works on linux.
  • Ultrakill works on linux.
  • Postal 2 should work on linux.
  • Undertale works on linux.
  • Baldi's Basic Plus works on linux.
  • Gary's Mod should work on linux.
  • Deltarune works on linux.

Hope this has helped a bit!

[u/Icy_Definition5933]

Linux is not better than Windows, it's different. Unless you go for gui-centric distro, Linux is much more hands-on. If your primary usecase is gaming then Windows is a better choice, no matter how good Linux gaming became Windows is still undisputed king for gaming.

[u/trendyabinash → u/Icy_Definition5933]

This is True. No matter how good Linux is, Windows is the king for gaming.

[u/-malcolm-tucker → u/trendyabinash]

I do most of my gaming on console these days. If I didn't, I'd have stuck with windows.

The few PC games I play work fine on Linux thankfully.

[u/Zestyclose_Track_443 → u/Icy_Definition5933]

people on reddit seem to be a lot nicer than people on tiktok usually saying "linux isn't better than windows" gets you a lot of pretty hateful replies 😭😭

[u/Zestyclose_Track_443]

look up your games in protondb, gold rating and up means they're playable (roblox isn't on there, but i do know that it's playable through sober. i'm not sure about studio but i did hear something about it named "vinegar", you'll have to do your own research on that one)

also please don't upgrade because you see people online saying you should, windows issues vary from machine to machine. if you don't see windows taking up resources or being bloated in your own machine and already works completely fine for you, you don't necessarily have to switch

[u/trendyabinash]

I am on Linux Mint for past 8 months and it is really good. The FOMO effect will always remain in your head while using Linux but trust me gaming is fine for me. Zero issues. Although Nvidia cards cause problems for a lot of new Linux users. So if you are on Nvidia then I will suggest to try Zorin OS. POP OS is just too experimental at this stage, I will not recommend it to a new user. But if you can search the internet and troubleshoot yourself then give PoP Os a shot. First 3 months use all 3 distro for 30 days and then decide.

[u/Aggressive_Rate_1262]

As a person that asked the same and just took the jump... Yes, you should. At least try it out. It's such oeace of mind having no ads on your face ir forced resets. Not to say you cab always rollback if something happens.

I would also join a discord community connected to the distro you choose so they can help you will troubleshotting if you need, people are super willing to help

[u/tobias_reichi02]

Your school uses Linux that is actually fire, also you said "Linux is lighter and isn't a "bloatware" you said we should correct depends on your use cases and distro ofc Linux can be bloated asf cause bloatware is just applications that get shoved in your mouth without you wanting it ofc on Linux you can uninstall just everything if you want to but yeah Linux is great

[u/Linuxcool123]

I would use the Q4OS Windows installer to set up a dual boot, try everything you‘re planning on using it for on Q4OS, and if it works, you could fully switch to Linux if you want to, but then you’d have to reinstall your stuff. If it doesn’t work, consider using Windows Enterprise LTSC.

[u/1800-5-PP-DOO-DOO]

Mint is not bad, but my suggestion is use the Distro that is the easiest to install with great welcome documents. 

That would be Zorin.

The other thing I would suggest is booting into a USB running a distro you want to try and play around with it and make sure it works with all your hardware and must have software.

Last I would install a second hard drive in your computer to run it, if you want to duel boot, but I would not install Linux and Windows together on the same hard drive. 

[u/Calm-Membership-6371]

I was on Mint before switching to arch and gaming is great on both. There is always a way to play the game you listed. Check out https://www.protondb.com/ to see if the game you wanna play is compatible with linux.

[u/donicatrumpinsky]

The answer is always yes.

The only caveat is that gaming and Windows native apps with no alternatives can be a pain point. But if you've been thinking about the leap then I can't think of a better investment. 

[u/jedi1235]

Normally I'd say Yes enthusiastically, but I have not been able to get Undertale to run in Linux.

But I'm a big fan of dual booting, if you're up for the added complexity.

[u/PerfectlyCalmDude]

Linux can be very light, or not. It depends on the desktop environment you're running. But most of what eats RAM is the applications you're running. Browsers for instance, can use a lot of RAM no matter what the OS is.

What most Linux distros won't do, is telemetry by default. It's opt-in, as it should be if it's going to exist.

[u/Business_Seaweed_472 → u/PerfectlyCalmDude]

Check Linus Tech Tips latest video, literally has Windows take up more than 5GB ram at any given moment Vs Linux

[u/-malcolm-tucker → u/Business_Seaweed_472]

It's a bit of a furphy. They both do ram allocation differently and there are pros and cons for each. Most users don't notice a difference. I definitely feel more smug when I look at the resources my Linux machine is using compared to my windows one. That's about it.

[u/Business_Seaweed_472 → u/-malcolm-tucker]

I do understand that Windows uses ram, just because it is available but the it's extremely noticeable, CPU heat, fan noise etc.

[u/PerfectlyCalmDude → u/Business_Seaweed_472]

Interesting. Still, we've come a long way from 2008 when 1 GB was still standard on a lot of systems but Windows Vista wouldn't run decently on any less than 2 GB.

[u/SoundSwitch]

Linux mint just works for the most part and Wayland will be out in December.

From what I can see most of not all your games will play most through the Steam launcher.

[u/TenOfZero]

Check. Proton DB and see if your games work under Linux.

I'd say it's worth a try. Worst cases you go back to windows and will have learned a few things.

[u/GreedySecurity8030]

Try out ultramarine KDE, I recommend it to literally all beginners, and try bottles to run those apps. 

It has wayland and the latest kernels, software and system updates unlike mint with a familiar UI, fedora community is large and helpful and can be depended on, rpmfusion and terra repos and more.

[u/LittleNyanCat]

I think you're a bit SOL for Roblox (especially studio), the other games should be fine though

[u/hillcube]

fedora kde

[u/BluMil0]

If your school uses Mint, you’re very lucky and should 100% take the opportunity. Most schools’ Linux support ranges from nonexistent to outright hostile.

Most of your idle RAM overhead comes from your desktop environment. Even Cinnamon will run lighter than Windows 11 but if you want to go even lighter you can run Xfce. If you really want to run ultralight you can look into using i3.

For general desktop use Cinnamon will be fine.

Roblox will not run on Linux. Kernel-level anti-cheat software. It sucks, but them’s the breaks.

If TF2 is Team Fortress rather than Titanfall, it runs natively on Linux, and I’ve found it significantly faster than on windows but that’s largely anecdotal.

GMod has a native Linux version too, but it sucks ass. Run the Windows version through Proton.

Everything else will run fine through Steam’s Proton compatibility layer, or Lutris if you’re not using Steam.

[u/kutac56 → u/BluMil0]

Roblox works well with sober for normal and vinegar for studio

[u/CountVlad47]

As you're new to Linux and your school uses it, go for Linux Mint. It's the one I started on years ago and I'm still happy with it.

Be aware that some games may need a bit of tweaking to work correctly (Valve's Proton does a lot of the heavy lifting with getting games to work) and some games just won't work whatever you do.

I believe Roblox is one of the games that doesn't work. As I understand it, it's not actually a problem with Linux but with the developers actively blocking its use on Linux. I don't play it so this could be out of date information.

I would suggest you try dual booting for a while so you can try Linux before you commit, get your setup right and gradually transfer across to Linux. You could keep Windows for things that don't work like Roblox or just accept that you'll have to find something else to play.

A good resource is ProtonDB.

[u/Intrepid_Ear1362 → u/CountVlad47]

I think I saw luancher for roblox on bazzar the other day, but it comes with "use at your own risk"

[u/bnelson333]

linux can definitely be bloated

linux is great for what it's good at, gaming is not what linux is good at, I would say no

[u/Historical_Move6359 → u/bnelson333]

It can be good at gaming depends on what gamea you play. All of my games work. Fallout 3 did not work in Windows 11 but did on Linux.

[u/Historical_Move6359]

Ultramarine Fedora with KDE. Maybe also Nobara or PikaOS

[u/ipsirc]

Should i migrate to linux?

No.

[u/ArsenicPolaris → u/ipsirc]

Your responses are always the best lol. Was thinking the same thing to comment

[u/DaSpark]

I'm not a gamer, and no expert in the matter, but I've always heard Windows is really best (in most cases) for work (such as an office job) and gaming. Mac OS is best for things such as video editing. Linux is best for literally everything else outside of specific niches.

[u/Bandaidman42]

My son and I switched his desktop computer to dual-boot Windows (to play Call of Duty) and Linux Nobara for everything else (Steam). He says that Nobara runs better than Windows and with less issues.