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Planning to switch to Linux for my next PC

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  • F [email protected]

    So all I know that the Linux mascot is a penguin and Arch users meme about using Arch. Jokes aside I’m planning on making to the jump to Linux as I’m planning on getting a tower PC. I recently got a steam deck and that kinda demystified the (unrealistic) expectation I had of Linux was all command line stuff and techno babble. This all very future oriented questions* as I haven’t even picked out hardware (probably gonna go prebuilt since I do not trust me) and there’s also the matter of saving up the money for a new PC.

    As for my use case (cus I know some software is wonky on Linux compared to windows) it’s mostly between games running on steam, which most of my games play fine on the steam deck, and essays and note taking for my college classes, which I use libre office and obsidian (with excalidraw to hand write my notes) saved to my proton drive and also sync those documents between my surface laptop and home laptop

    My ideal OS would be plug it in, let it do… things… and it’s ready to be a PC to install steam and stuff

    But first question, as someone who isn’t tech inclined and tinkering is pretty much just a few VERY basic settings in the settings app on windows, so is there a Linux… idk what to call it, type? OS? Thing??? that runs out of the box without me having to install additional software manually or at least automatic setup wizards because like hardware, I do not trust me with setting it up. As for installing it after I wipe whatever computer I choose I assume I’m gonna have some OS installer on a USB and let it work its magic.

    Second question, is there any specific hardware that works easier with Linux, I can’t really think of any examples cus with installers and updaters I just the computer handle it, like updating Nvidia stuff in the GeForce app for all I know it’s genuinely performing dark magic during the automated updates

    Anyways I probably have way more questions that I have no idea I had, but to wrap up I’m not super tech inclined since I let automated stuff do its thang on windows (if the computer can manage and install it I’m gonna let it do that) and my pc mostly just plays games and do documents on libre office and obsidian

    ohshit604@sh.itjust.worksO This user is from outside of this forum
    ohshit604@sh.itjust.worksO This user is from outside of this forum
    [email protected]
    wrote on last edited by
    #31

    I personally started out with Debian given that a vast majority of distributions are Debian based, typically paired with KDE Plasma 5, and learned from there.

    Now Debian is really stable but does require command-line configuration quite often so it may feel complicated but if you’re capable of reading & following documentation then you should be all good.

    F P 2 Replies Last reply
    0
    • F [email protected]

      So all I know that the Linux mascot is a penguin and Arch users meme about using Arch. Jokes aside I’m planning on making to the jump to Linux as I’m planning on getting a tower PC. I recently got a steam deck and that kinda demystified the (unrealistic) expectation I had of Linux was all command line stuff and techno babble. This all very future oriented questions* as I haven’t even picked out hardware (probably gonna go prebuilt since I do not trust me) and there’s also the matter of saving up the money for a new PC.

      As for my use case (cus I know some software is wonky on Linux compared to windows) it’s mostly between games running on steam, which most of my games play fine on the steam deck, and essays and note taking for my college classes, which I use libre office and obsidian (with excalidraw to hand write my notes) saved to my proton drive and also sync those documents between my surface laptop and home laptop

      My ideal OS would be plug it in, let it do… things… and it’s ready to be a PC to install steam and stuff

      But first question, as someone who isn’t tech inclined and tinkering is pretty much just a few VERY basic settings in the settings app on windows, so is there a Linux… idk what to call it, type? OS? Thing??? that runs out of the box without me having to install additional software manually or at least automatic setup wizards because like hardware, I do not trust me with setting it up. As for installing it after I wipe whatever computer I choose I assume I’m gonna have some OS installer on a USB and let it work its magic.

      Second question, is there any specific hardware that works easier with Linux, I can’t really think of any examples cus with installers and updaters I just the computer handle it, like updating Nvidia stuff in the GeForce app for all I know it’s genuinely performing dark magic during the automated updates

      Anyways I probably have way more questions that I have no idea I had, but to wrap up I’m not super tech inclined since I let automated stuff do its thang on windows (if the computer can manage and install it I’m gonna let it do that) and my pc mostly just plays games and do documents on libre office and obsidian

      ulrich@feddit.orgU This user is from outside of this forum
      ulrich@feddit.orgU This user is from outside of this forum
      [email protected]
      wrote on last edited by
      #32

      I recently got a steam deck and that kinda demystified the (unrealistic) expectation I had of Linux was all command line stuff and techno babble.

      Outside of gaming, browsing and flatpaks it still very much is. People here will lie and tell you it's not. It is. But as long it's just Steam gaming, it's very simple.

      so is there a Linux… idk what to call it, type? OS? Thing??? that runs out of the box without me having to install additional software manually or at least automatic setup wizards

      Not really sure what you're asking here but I think it's a "package manager". Basically an app store for Linux. Discover store in KDE or "software" in GNOME. Open it, search for your software, click the "install" button and be done.

      Outside of the package manager, installations become complex quickly.

      is there any specific hardware that works easier with Linux

      Yes, generally new hardware won't work as well. Linux drivers are a second class citizen. Also you'll likely experience lower performance and extra difficulties with Nvidia vs. Windows.

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • 332@feddit.nu3 [email protected]

        Distro - System level stuff. A "type" of linux. Mint, Fedora, Arch, Ubuntu etc.

        DE (Desktop environment) - Surface level stuff, i.e. how it looks, behaves, and often what default apps you use for basic stuff like text editing. Gnome, KDE, etc.

        Distros have a default DE but often provide different versions using others for people who prefer them.

        You likely won't need to interact with any of that other stuff except flatpaks. Just think of it as a form of distributing and running software.

        F This user is from outside of this forum
        F This user is from outside of this forum
        [email protected]
        wrote on last edited by
        #33

        Ah so it’s just how the software works essentially

        L 1 Reply Last reply
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        • meldrik@lemmy.wtfM [email protected]

          Some distro's still require you to setup those things yourself and in the terminal.

          F This user is from outside of this forum
          F This user is from outside of this forum
          [email protected]
          wrote on last edited by
          #34

          So bazzite and mint seem to be recurring themes here for my needs of something that works out of the box, do those need any set up or stuff? I don’t really know exactly what I’m asking here 😕

          meldrik@lemmy.wtfM 1 Reply Last reply
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          • funkajunk@lemm.eeF [email protected]

            Bazzite is probably the best recommendation out of everything I've seen so far. It is meant to be like the Steam Deck experience on any machine, and if OP is already familiar with that, why not transition easily?

            Couple the familiarity along with Bazzite being an immutable distro, OP can just roll back if they break something.

            F This user is from outside of this forum
            F This user is from outside of this forum
            [email protected]
            wrote on last edited by
            #35

            So what does immutable mean?

            But I’ve seen it’s similar to the decks desktop mode from some other comments as well so that seems nice

            I haven’t really interacted with desktop mode outside setting up emudeck (mostly DS and switch games)

            funkajunk@lemm.eeF asap@lemmy.worldA J 3 Replies Last reply
            0
            • A [email protected]

              is there a Linux… idk what to call it, type? OS? Thing??? that runs out of the box without me having to install additional software manually or at least automatic setup wizards

              The word you are looking for is called a distribution, or distro for short.

              I'm surprised no one else has mentioned Bazzite, which should be exactly what you're looking for.

              is there any specific hardware that works easier with Linux

              An AMD GPU for sure. Nvidia drivers have come a long way, but they don't generally behave as well out of the box like AMD.

              F This user is from outside of this forum
              F This user is from outside of this forum
              [email protected]
              wrote on last edited by
              #36

              Yeah bazzite seems like a recurring topic here so I think I’ll check it out first since others have all said it’s similar to the steam decks setup (which has been limited to me installing emudeck but seeing familiar stuff might help me

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • asap@lemmy.worldA [email protected]

                Try Bazzite:

                https://bazzite.gg/

                It will give you an experience that's familiar compared to the Steam Deck, and everything will "just work" out of the box.

                It already has Steam installed and is a great desktop for general use.

                T This user is from outside of this forum
                T This user is from outside of this forum
                [email protected]
                wrote on last edited by
                #37

                Cool I've never seen this.

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • F [email protected]

                  So what does immutable mean?

                  But I’ve seen it’s similar to the decks desktop mode from some other comments as well so that seems nice

                  I haven’t really interacted with desktop mode outside setting up emudeck (mostly DS and switch games)

                  funkajunk@lemm.eeF This user is from outside of this forum
                  funkajunk@lemm.eeF This user is from outside of this forum
                  [email protected]
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #38

                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX0f_vyV06k

                  This video explains it well

                  J 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • funkajunk@lemm.eeF [email protected]

                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX0f_vyV06k

                    This video explains it well

                    J This user is from outside of this forum
                    J This user is from outside of this forum
                    [email protected]
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #39

                    While it could be functional as a cursory watch, it doesn't seem that Michael Horn has done a good job investigating the subject matter. So, no, I actually disagree with it offering a good explanation. Granted, I couldn't find any video that does this subject any justice; more often than not, they just tend to overgeneralize or oversimplify.

                    funkajunk@lemm.eeF 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • F [email protected]

                      So bazzite and mint seem to be recurring themes here for my needs of something that works out of the box, do those need any set up or stuff? I don’t really know exactly what I’m asking here 😕

                      meldrik@lemmy.wtfM This user is from outside of this forum
                      meldrik@lemmy.wtfM This user is from outside of this forum
                      [email protected]
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #40

                      On Mint, flatpaks is enabled in the Mint software center.

                      F 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • F [email protected]

                        So what does immutable mean?

                        But I’ve seen it’s similar to the decks desktop mode from some other comments as well so that seems nice

                        I haven’t really interacted with desktop mode outside setting up emudeck (mostly DS and switch games)

                        asap@lemmy.worldA This user is from outside of this forum
                        asap@lemmy.worldA This user is from outside of this forum
                        [email protected]
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #41

                        So what does immutable mean?

                        The easiest explanation is: You can't screw it up 🙂

                        That's the reason I use it. It means that the system areas are read-only, and as a user you can't "wreck" anything by mistake.

                        F 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • F [email protected]

                          So all I know that the Linux mascot is a penguin and Arch users meme about using Arch. Jokes aside I’m planning on making to the jump to Linux as I’m planning on getting a tower PC. I recently got a steam deck and that kinda demystified the (unrealistic) expectation I had of Linux was all command line stuff and techno babble. This all very future oriented questions* as I haven’t even picked out hardware (probably gonna go prebuilt since I do not trust me) and there’s also the matter of saving up the money for a new PC.

                          As for my use case (cus I know some software is wonky on Linux compared to windows) it’s mostly between games running on steam, which most of my games play fine on the steam deck, and essays and note taking for my college classes, which I use libre office and obsidian (with excalidraw to hand write my notes) saved to my proton drive and also sync those documents between my surface laptop and home laptop

                          My ideal OS would be plug it in, let it do… things… and it’s ready to be a PC to install steam and stuff

                          But first question, as someone who isn’t tech inclined and tinkering is pretty much just a few VERY basic settings in the settings app on windows, so is there a Linux… idk what to call it, type? OS? Thing??? that runs out of the box without me having to install additional software manually or at least automatic setup wizards because like hardware, I do not trust me with setting it up. As for installing it after I wipe whatever computer I choose I assume I’m gonna have some OS installer on a USB and let it work its magic.

                          Second question, is there any specific hardware that works easier with Linux, I can’t really think of any examples cus with installers and updaters I just the computer handle it, like updating Nvidia stuff in the GeForce app for all I know it’s genuinely performing dark magic during the automated updates

                          Anyways I probably have way more questions that I have no idea I had, but to wrap up I’m not super tech inclined since I let automated stuff do its thang on windows (if the computer can manage and install it I’m gonna let it do that) and my pc mostly just plays games and do documents on libre office and obsidian

                          communist@lemmy.frozeninferno.xyzC This user is from outside of this forum
                          communist@lemmy.frozeninferno.xyzC This user is from outside of this forum
                          [email protected]
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #42

                          Linux mint is a common recommendation but I think a bad one, I highly recommend bazzite with kde, I have 15 years of linux experience and am willing to do infinite troubleshooting if you add me on matrix (which is on my profile)

                          in short, linux mint is bad vs bazzite with kde for 3 reasons

                          kde is much more well supported and developed than cinnamon

                          immutable distros are much more forgiving for new people

                          and finally bazzite has more up to date software

                          don't do mint if you don't know what any of that means, go bazzite

                          F K 2 Replies Last reply
                          0
                          • J [email protected]

                            While it could be functional as a cursory watch, it doesn't seem that Michael Horn has done a good job investigating the subject matter. So, no, I actually disagree with it offering a good explanation. Granted, I couldn't find any video that does this subject any justice; more often than not, they just tend to overgeneralize or oversimplify.

                            funkajunk@lemm.eeF This user is from outside of this forum
                            funkajunk@lemm.eeF This user is from outside of this forum
                            [email protected]
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #43

                            I was just going for a very high level explanation.
                            If you feel like offering a more in depth definition, feel free to do so here.

                            J 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • fanmion@discuss.tchncs.deF [email protected]

                              There are also "easy" Arch like endeavour or cachy, but yeah, for users like him is Arch based not the best choice

                              I This user is from outside of this forum
                              I This user is from outside of this forum
                              [email protected]
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #44

                              But the required config changes can affect those as well.

                              Like last week I had to change repositories in pacman.conf. It also affected endeavour, as it doesn't have separate repos: https://archlinux.org/news/cleaning-up-old-repositories/

                              This mkinitcpio config change should have effected all Arch based distros: https://archlinux.org/news/mkinitcpio-hook-migration-and-early-microcode/

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • F [email protected]

                                So what does immutable mean?

                                But I’ve seen it’s similar to the decks desktop mode from some other comments as well so that seems nice

                                I haven’t really interacted with desktop mode outside setting up emudeck (mostly DS and switch games)

                                J This user is from outside of this forum
                                J This user is from outside of this forum
                                [email protected]
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #45

                                what does immutable mean?

                                Strictly speaking, 'immutable' means unchanging. For Linux distros, this means that (at least some part of) the OS is read-only.

                                On any distro, you could invoke the chattr +i path/to/file_or_directory command to make a file or directory of your choosing immutable. Thus preventing you or anyone else from changing that until it's revoked.

                                The so-called 'immutable' distros employ this at the OS-level. However, their implementations (and the implications thereof) may vary significantly amongst them, unless they share some 'heritage'.

                                Going over the many different implementations and their implications is out of scope for what this comment intends. Especially as the 'immutable Linux landscape' is fast moving. Thus, potentially making it outdated the very next landscape-defining change.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • funkajunk@lemm.eeF [email protected]

                                  I was just going for a very high level explanation.
                                  If you feel like offering a more in depth definition, feel free to do so here.

                                  J This user is from outside of this forum
                                  J This user is from outside of this forum
                                  [email protected]
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #46

                                  I was intending to, but it got very unwieldy real fast. I did provide some very basic pointers, but nothing earth-shattering. I suppose this is a decent read with the acknowledgement that the author has primarily read up on Fedora Atomic (and not the other 'immutable distros). Which ain't bad for our use as Bazzite is derived from Fedora Atomic anyways.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • C [email protected]

                                    I also recommend Linux Mint. It's been hands down the best experience of all the Linux distros I've tried.

                                    The installation is done with a USB stick. In short, you download the Linux iso image and create a bootable USB stick with a software. In Windows I have always used Rufus for that.

                                    The Linux installer gives you a choise to wipe everything and install Linux. Installing Mint has always been very straight forward.

                                    I can't comment on hardware since I've only used Linux on +5 year old laptops. They seem to work fine.

                                    There most likely will be many new things that can feel confusing in the beginning, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. There also are tons of good tutorials of everything.

                                    Best of luck to your Linux project!

                                    F This user is from outside of this forum
                                    F This user is from outside of this forum
                                    [email protected]
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #47

                                    Oh nice, so I just boot windows as normal then “run” the installer from a usb. As for whatever an iso image that makes no sense to me is that just the “program” that the installer is?

                                    A lot of people have recommended bazzite so i might try that first but mint definitely sounds like a good “I have no idea what I’m doing just start working distro”

                                    themadcodger@kbin.earthT 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • ohshit604@sh.itjust.worksO [email protected]

                                      I personally started out with Debian given that a vast majority of distributions are Debian based, typically paired with KDE Plasma 5, and learned from there.

                                      Now Debian is really stable but does require command-line configuration quite often so it may feel complicated but if you’re capable of reading & following documentation then you should be all good.

                                      F This user is from outside of this forum
                                      F This user is from outside of this forum
                                      [email protected]
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #48

                                      So a lot of people have recommended bazzite so I might start with that and move to mint if that doesn’t work out for me, how does plasma and Debian fit in cus that stuff is ringing a bell. Like plasma being separate than a distro

                                      ohshit604@sh.itjust.worksO 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • rmdebarc_5@sh.itjust.worksR [email protected]

                                        Generally, Linuxmint is the go to distro if you want something that holds your hand, but due to your limited needs outside of gaming and already having a Steam deck you should take a look at Bazzite, which is basically the desktop mode of the Steam deck for PCs.

                                        As for hardware, one thing that can be annoying is NVIDIA (drivers), but that shouldn’t be a major problem with these distros as mint has a built in manager that does everything for you and with Bazzite you just need to specify your GPU when downloading and don’t have to do anything.

                                        My recommendation is download the distros you want to try, get Rufus put them on a USB and then play around with them in demo mode, make sure everything works (graphic card, printers) and you like the distro then start the installer. If you don’t like it you can just unplug the USB and reboot without anything persisting.

                                        F This user is from outside of this forum
                                        F This user is from outside of this forum
                                        [email protected]
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #49

                                        Yeah I was gonna check out bazzite first then Linux mint

                                        Another comment said that mint will wipe the windows install if I “run” it from an external usb so would I just boot windows like normal

                                        Also does bazzite do the same thing cus I’m probably gonna use that first

                                        As for that Rufus tool is the demo mode something I would use on the new pc

                                        rmdebarc_5@sh.itjust.worksR 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • asap@lemmy.worldA [email protected]

                                          So what does immutable mean?

                                          The easiest explanation is: You can't screw it up 🙂

                                          That's the reason I use it. It means that the system areas are read-only, and as a user you can't "wreck" anything by mistake.

                                          F This user is from outside of this forum
                                          F This user is from outside of this forum
                                          [email protected]
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #50

                                          Ok cool so that’s probably a positive thing in my case since I don’t plan to tweak things and have no idea what I’m doing

                                          D 1 Reply Last reply
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