I switched to EndeavourOS (no dual boot to fall back on needed since I received a “work laptop” with Windows 11) about a year ago, first time using Linux period, let alone as a daily driver, and all I can say is that it has been a wonderful experience. I will never use Windows on a personal machine again.
Full disclosure: I have a brother who has been using Linux for a while that helped me through the install process, and basically showed me how to search Google (and the Arch wiki) if I run into any issues, and I have yet to run into anything serious enough to require his attention (which I’m sure he’s thankful for). Small things here or there that I’ve been able to fix myself have gone a long way to helping me grasp (at least a little bit) what’s going on under the hood.
Additionally, while I don’t have a background in comp sci, I grew up during a time where we needed to know how computers worked beyond “press the button on the screen for the thing to start”, so I was already pretty comfortable with the command line and all that.
So I had a little help, but I’m not exaggerating when I say that I haven’t needed his direct help since installation.
As far as games are concerned, most of my PC gaming these days is on my Steam Deck, and even on there I’ve gotten games that Steam labels “unsupported” to work. For example, Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition with DSFix works great despite being “unsupported” on Steam.
I switched to EndeavourOS (no dual boot to fall back on needed since I received a “work laptop” with Windows 11) about a year ago, first time using Linux period, let alone as a daily driver, and all I can say is that it has been a wonderful experience. I will never use Windows on a personal machine again.
Full disclosure: I have a brother who has been using Linux for a while that helped me through the install process, and basically showed me how to search Google (and the Arch wiki) if I run into any issues, and I have yet to run into anything serious enough to require his attention (which I’m sure he’s thankful for). Small things here or there that I’ve been able to fix myself have gone a long way to helping me grasp (at least a little bit) what’s going on under the hood.
Additionally, while I don’t have a background in comp sci, I grew up during a time where we needed to know how computers worked beyond “press the button on the screen for the thing to start”, so I was already pretty comfortable with the command line and all that.
So I had a little help, but I’m not exaggerating when I say that I haven’t needed his direct help since installation.
As far as games are concerned, most of my PC gaming these days is on my Steam Deck, and even on there I’ve gotten games that Steam labels “unsupported” to work. For example, Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition with DSFix works great despite being “unsupported” on Steam.
As others have said, check out protondb.