Been a long time Windows user but with each Windows version, I hate it more. So bloated and locked in. I saw that mint is a good beginner distribution but its not supported by framework. Is Ubuntu really different from Windows with a higher learning curve?
Talk me out of wasting hours to get linux working when Windows works out-of-the-box
It depends what software you want to run. Windows, MacOS, and Linux are just operating systems. What you need to run is a big driver. I got my framework to practice CAD. There are some CAD packages that will run on Linux, but not many and not the most available ones in use by industry.
Yes, it’s very different. It’s the difference between having a kitchen full of tools to make whatever you want (but you need to learn to cook), versus going to a restaurant where things are made for you, but you can only order what the chef decided to put on the menu (and they secretly spy on everything you do, sell information about you, “reset” your table on their whim, etc.).
A lot of people have put a lot of work into making Linux much more accessible than it used to be, but that’s just a thin veneer over a much more complex machine.
Do you like taking things apart and seeing how they work? Switch to Linux.
Have you ever tried programming? Did you hate it? Stick with windows.
Do you want to spend hours twiddling with your computer, eventually getting it to do exactly what you want, the way you want it? Switch.
Do you want to just learn which button you’re supposed to press to make things run and never have to think about it again? Stick.
I’ve been using Linux for about 25 years. Love it. Highly recommended. But it’s not for everyone.
Yes and no. Depends. What‘s you use cases? Can Linux fulfill them? Did you check that?
Most beginner friendly distributions work ootb
Os choice is driven by your needs rather than any ideological mantra.
If your programs run under linux then go for it. I made good experiences with ubuntu. It simply works on my desktop. Gaming works. Most devtools work even better. Browser works too. Streaming is meh. So you can save a buck with the lower bitrate.
Whats holding people back is windows specific software that runs poorly under proton and wine. Like autodesk stuff.
If you figure out your usecases then you can evaluate it its worth switching.
read my username 👍
Do you use Arch btw?
Debian and Ubuntu🗿🗿🗿
What’s your thoughts on PopOS! I quite like it, its simple and easy to get going?
I think its a great choice. You get all the benifits of ubuntu plus a better customized desktop environment.
Install Windows so that you have it and then run WSL2 with Ubuntu to “test the water”.
Get enough storage so you can dual boot. If you’re like most people there will be a piece of software that you can’t get on one os or the other and either don’t want to find an alternative or can’t.
What would you say as a minimum storage for a good dual boot? SSDs are currently on sale, trying to decide on between 1tb or 2tb is enough or would need more
For dual boot install Windows first, its easier that way. Windows install requires around 100GB (based on future needs). On Ubuntu 20GB is fine.
My recommendation:
1.) Get a 2TB Nvme. Divide the drive into 3 partitions. 100GB for Windows, 50GB for Ubuntu, rest for your personal files.
2.) Install windows first on 100GB partition
3.) Install Ubuntu using the advanced installation. Install Ubuntu to use 50GB partition (represented by / symbol), format rest of the space and make it your home partition under Ubuntu (represented by /home)
This way even if you somehow screw your Ubuntu installation your user files are safe on different partition.
If this is too complicated after installing windows just go for install Ubuntu side by side option in the installer.
If you wish I can share a solid article which you can use as a guide.
I TB is definitely sufficient, you can get a lot of linuxing done on just 100GB, but the more the merrier.
Don’t switch to Linux if there are a lot of windows based programs that you depend on. Don’t switch to Linux if you like things modern and clean. A lot of programs for Linux feel very old school and clunky. I have a Linux computer but I’m never going to switch from Windows to it because it just can’t do everything I need.
Spoiler alert. Linux works out of the box. Even more so than Windows.
I’d recommend Fedora or Ubuntu instead, Gnome is amazing these days.
I have had more issues with Linux, but I use it for everything I can. Honestly Windows is just ridiculous sometimes.
Mint is effectively Ubuntu 22.04 LTS using desktops other than the awful Gnome Shell. Follow Ubuntu 22.04 LTS directions and you should be fine. I’ve been using the Mint Cinnamon option for the last 5 or 6 years, perhaps a bit longer. The ‘edge’ ISO may be a bit easier to get installed and running on Framework hardware as its using a newer kernel than ‘vanilla’ Ubuntu 22.04 LTS… The ‘edge’ packages are part of Ubuntu, merely not the default installed options in the almost 2 year old 22.04.
Mint differs from Ubuntu also in using (optional) flatpaks instead of (required, proprietary) snaps for packages outside the ordinary repos.
Whether you should even attempt switching depends on what you want to do, what apps you need/want to run. If you’re extremely interested in gaming or must run Adobe apps for example - Stay with Windows. If you’ve got a good bit of experience using different systems, mostly want to browse the web, read your e-mail, use LibreOffice in place of Redmond Office, learn how to do development - Linux might be a good choice. End of the day Linux isn’t for everyone. In my own case I’ve been working with Linux, UNIX, and vaguely similar systems since I was 6 years old (in the 1980s) - While dealing with these systems is second nature to me it may be a nightmarish challenge for you as someone steeped in Wintendo OSes.
If you’re the type of person who likes simple tech and you live in constant fear of your computer breaking, keep Windows. If you don’t mind tinkering with your OS to see what tricks it can do, give Linux a try.
Mint will work on your framework laptop just fine.
Fedora works great and it’ll bring most features as it’s getting updates as soon as they are stable.
You need to know basic knowledge like setting up flatpak for your software, bottles for windows software and knowledge about not being able to use many usb devices that need software.
I’m on Linux for 2 years now because of the same reasons and I’m happier than ever. It can get annoying sometimes but it’s worth it, windows is more annoying.