Didn't they get rid of some 11 requirements? Won't most regular people just do the upgrade to 11?
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How do I even get started? Do I just install Mint and figure it out from there? Linux seems so complicated but it's been a decade since I last tried. Nowadays, I feel old and this seems like it needs too much research
Linux is no more complicated than Windows, we just know what we know.
Start by trying one of the big names like Ubuntu or Fedora.
There's not exactly better distros for gaming, it's just about what's preinstalled, that's why Bazzite exists.
A good idea is to install something like VirtualBox on your Windows machine and test out some distros to learn your way around them.
I love linux too, but linux is absolutely more complicated for a typical computer user
Whatever you do. Don't dualboot. It gives a wrong impression of what Linux is, and complexity is not inherently a part of it. Try Mint as a live USB OS first. That means the OS runs from a USB thumb drive. This will allow you to dip your toes before you dive in. Just like dipping toes, it's a no-compromise way of testing, but if you choose to install you already have 90% of what you need.
I'm already on Linux, gaming isn't as good but I only play old games anyway so it doesn't matter.
I have no plans to either update to win11 or change back to chanting magic spells at my computer to get it to work (Ubuntu, many years ago).
My computer works and does everything I want it to. Basic internet security and reasonable precautions are sufficient for a low level user like me to stay safe.
Already switched the laptop over to Mint. Desktop to follow.
I play only on Linux, and it works great. Come on over!
Upgrade
to Linux
It has been already 2 years for me, I have no intention of looking back. It even works better than Windows at times.
If you use Windows as mere game launcher, you better have a application firewall set to whitelist Steam only anyway.
Been using Linux for years and the only issue with it is the incompetence of big studios. And them going out of their way to make sure stuff doesn't work on Linux.
I left Windows ~2-3 years ago since I got tired of having to keep up with ways to disable the MS account requirements or disable the ads every time there is a major version upgrade on a platform I use every day.
Got a new laptop about a month ago. Put Fedora Bluefin on it immediately. Couple other computers/server have been running Debian flavors for year or two.
My main desktop is still Windows, but I literally never use it, especially since getting the laptop. I'll switch it over when I get time.
I'm still tied to windows for three apps. I've found a Linux replacement for one, I just haven't done the work to convert the database.
Another one I'm trying to run it's Android version in a waydroid docker, but I'm hitting walls, no time to dig deeper.
And the last one has no replacement, and it's too delicate to try emulating, I don't want to nuke the shared database it's attached to, it's not worth the headache. So I keep a Windows VM around for the once a month I need to use that program for 🤷♂️
I'm purposely being vague about the programs, they are very identifying, but trust me there's no alternatives.
Even with all that, I'm not looking back, win11 sucks.
I spent a couple hours trying to get Baldur's Gate 3 running on Linux. It was rough but I got it to run at 1440 but the latency made it sort of unplayable. It runs great in Windows 10 at 4k with the default settings. I have some other windows-only software so I guess I'm going to "upgrade" all my computers that are able to do so but I don't feel good about it. All my computers dual boot windows/linux, I would love to be linux-only.
Edit: lots of people are saying theirs runs smoothly, I'm going to have to do further testing. Thanks for the input!
In case you're not aware, and for any uninitiated that see this comment https://www.protondb.com/app/1086940 protondb is a fantastic database of Linux compatible games and crowd sourced suggestions on getting the best performance.
Baldurs Gate 3 ran flawless for me, but everyone's mileage may very depending on computer specs and Linux distro. Proton, and its counter part Proton-GE, work wonderfully the majority of the time. Biggest issue I run into anymore is anti cheat. Which can also be verified by https://areweanticheatyet.com/
For reference, I'm running all AMD with hardware thats a few years old now. Fedora 41 with some tweaks like feralinteractives' gamemode installed. You can install and use ProtonUp-QT to manage the Proton-GE versions and keep them up to date. I've been primarily Linux at home for a couple of years and have not missed windows. I hope more people are encouraged to try Linux and see what it has to offer