---
title: "Switching to Linux"
description: "Leaving the bloat behind."
pubDate: "2025-12-21"
tags: ["linux", "techtips"]
---

I have decided to move my daily workflow away from Windows. Microsoft has, for a long time now, been engaging in an age-old practice known as enshittification. Windows used to be the place I did my work, communicated with friends, and played _far_ too many hours of MapleStory. Now the entire operating system feels like i'm running adware. The final straw was the aggressive integration of AI features, which are being pushed onto users regardless of interest **or** privacy concerns.

### What is Linux?

Linux is an operating system that stays out of your way. It does everything you would expect a modern operating system to do, but it does so without the telemetry or rushed AI features. Linux offers a level of ownership that is rare in modern technology. When you install software or change a setting, the system respects that decision without reverting it after an update. Now, the more complex answer is that Linux is a kernel, and different "distributions" are more complete operating systems built around the Linux kernel. I will get to which ones I recommend for newcomers in a moment.

### Gaming

Traditionally Linux struggled with gaming for the simple reason that games were not built with support for Linux in mind. This meant that translation layers such as Wine were required to run most games, and even this was not a guarantee. Thanks to Valve and the broader Linux gaming community, we have made significant progress here! Steam's Proton compatibility layer has done wonders for this, helping Linux users run most of their library. Unless you are playing titles with aggressive kernel-level anti-cheat (Battlefield 6, Apex Legends, etc), the gaming experience is indistinguishable from Windows.

### Desktop Environments

One concept that confuses new Linux users is the Desktop Environment (DE). On Windows, the desktop environment is tightly coupled with the operating system, and is not highly customizable. With Linux, the interface is just another piece of software you can swap out. This means you can choose a DE that behaves like Windows, macOS, or something fully keyboard-driven. Having this level of choice allows you to tailor your machine to *you*.

If you would like a more macOS-like experience, I recommend either **GNOME** or **COSMIC**. If you are looking for a Windows-like experience, **KDE** is the way to go.

### Distributions

While the amount of choice in Linux distributions can seem daunting, there are a few I can whole-heartedly recommend for new users:

#### [Fedora](https://www.fedoraproject.org/workstation/download)
Fedora is a fully open-source, rock-solid, and easy to use distribution. It provides regularly updated software packages and has a built-in "app store" that makes installing and updating software painless.

For this distribution, I would recommend the GNOME or KDE Desktop Environments.

#### [Pop!_OS](https://system76.com/pop/download/)
Pop!_OS is an open-source, Debian-based distribution that focuses on excellent support, stability, and performance with its COSMIC desktop environment. It also provides regularly updated software packages and has a built-in "app store" that makes installing and updating software painless.

For this distribution, I would recommend the COSMIC Desktop Environment.

### Hardware Recommendations
You can use any modern graphics card with these distributions, but the experience varies. Historically, Nvidia cards have faced challenges, particularly with driver setup and sleep/wake functionality. In contrast, AMD and Intel include drivers directly in the kernel, offering a more seamless "plug and play" experience. While Nvidia cards are definitely viable, using AMD often results in fewer maintenance headaches and greater system stability. If you have the flexibility to choose, AMD is my recommendation for the best possible experience.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about making the switch. I can be reached by email at [me@atri.dad](mailto:me@atri.dad).
