Windows 10 EoL is fast approaching, so I thought I’d give Linux a try on some equipment that won’t be able to upgrade to Windows 11. I wanted to see if I will be able to recommend an option to anyone that asks me what they should do with their old PC.

Many years ago I switched to Gentoo Linux to get through collage. I was very anti-MS at the time. I also currently interact with Linux systems regularly although they don’t have a DE and aren’t for general workstation use.

Ubuntu: easy install. Working desktop. Had issues with getting GPU drivers. App Store had apps that would install but not work. The App Store itself kept failing to update itself with an error that it was still running. It couldn’t clear this hurdle after a reboot so I finally killed the process and manually updated from terminal. Overall, can’t recommend this to a normal user.

Mint: easy install. Switching to nvidia drivers worked without issue. App Store had issues with installing some apps due to missing dependencies that it couldn’t install. Some popular apps would install but wouldn’t run. Shutting the laptop closed results in a prompt to shutdown, but never really shuts off. Update process asks me to pick a fast source (why can’t it do this itself?)

Both: installing apps outside of their respective stores is an adventure in terminal instead of a GUI double-click. Secure boot issues. Constant prompt for password instead of a simple PIN or other form of identity verification.

Search results for basic operations require understanding that what works for Ubuntu might not work for Mint.

While I personally could work with either, I don’t see Linux taking any market share from MS or Apple when windows 10 is retired.

  • Rayspekt@lemmy.worldEnglish
    16·
    4 months ago

    I think there is no general answer to “Is Linux mainstream ready to replace Windows?” because the use case is so important to consider.

    If you just need a PC to browse the web and consume media then Linux is absolutely fine. This should more or less apply to a large group of users that don’t do anything else with their devices.

    Are you a gamer? Then I’d say more or less perfectly fine but it really depends on the games you want to play. Everything with the new, invasive anti-cheat tools doesn’t work (e. g. League of Legends) but smaller, single player, or many multi player games do work at the moment.

    Are you a professional or are using otherwise specific software? This is the biggest hurdle I see at the moment. CAD programs for engineering are a big problem for example.

    And last but not least: Are you using periphery that needs specific drivers? Printers, audio interfaces, and whatnot. Then you might be out of luck as well if you can’t script.

    The last two points are the only ones that would worry me when I won’t have at least one windows machine lying around.

    • Brkdncr@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      10·
      4 months ago

      So Linux is fine until you need to print, use software and some other scenarios? Explain that to my niece.

      • cerement@slrpnk.netEnglish
        19·
        4 months ago

        your niece is using ChromeOS or Android and making fun of her uncle for still being on a desktop

        • Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          4 months ago

          Heres how you set up windows.

          Step 1, put the disk in the tray.

          Step 2, click next about a jillion times without reading anything.

          Step 3, maybe put in a 16 digit code or whatever on the CD.

          Step 4, drink a bunch of beer as your pc does the rest for the next hour.

          Step 5, open Edge (today) or Internet Explorer (up until like 10-15 years ago).

          Step 6, go to facebook, because thats all this machine can do.

          And thats the average windows user.

      • Richard@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        4 months ago

        Thank you for your bigoted take. You know very well that a) GNU/Linux can print, b) it can “use software” and c) deal with any other scenario.

          • Zoot@reddthat.comEnglish
            5·
            4 months ago

            Using an awful example to showcase it as well.

            Like the other dude said, your niece likely only wants to browse Instagram or tiktok… which a fresh install of mint or Ubuntu would work perfectly for.

            Your average user isn’t going to go download a seperate browser, they’re just going to use the one pre-installed which… surprise surprise, means everything would work out of the box for a truly ignorant user who can’t help themselves.

    • Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      4 months ago

      I think there is no general answer to “Is Linux mainstream ready to replace Windows?”

      Incorrect. The answer is “No.”