r/linuxmint • u/Ok-Loquat-1795 • 4h ago
Should I switch to Linux
Hello!
ngl I'm getting kind of tired of windows and I want to switch to Linux. I heard that Linux Mint is good but I don't have any experience with coding and things like that. I was wondering if Linux is relatively easy to learn and if so, can you please share some tips? Also, is it true that Linux uses less ram? I have a pretty shitty laptop and it's struggling to run steam games. Thank you!
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u/Xijit 4h ago
Linix Mint feels very much like using Windows 7, and you don't have to program anything / it is kinda uncommon to have to use command lines.
If you do need to use command lines, I have found that Google Gemini is very good at telling you exactly what you need to do, as lomg as you are specific about what your problem is.
Most every Linux program now comes as a "flat pack," which is where a program gets bundled into a packaged container, with everything it needs to run inside the container with it. There is a lot more technical stuff to it than that, but as a basic user none of it is important.
You just open the software store application and click install on a program you want, then it will run ... It feels very similar to how things work on Android.
Not every Linux distro is "easy" but Linux Mint is & I think it is a good way to start leaning Linux.
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u/hobovirginity 3h ago
Linux Mint with some tweaks can give you a Windows 7 Plus™ experience. My early 70's mother loves using the Mint Cinnamon setup I got running for her.
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u/Skullys_POV 4h ago
I've made the switch and haven't looked back. But I'd definitely look into seeing if it can play the games you typically play before making the switch. And you really don't need to use the terminal. You can just use the software manager (basically an app store) to make it easier for you. Once you get experience and get more familiar with it, then you can learn the terminal. If you like.
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u/computer-machine 4h ago
My mom learned to use Mint while out of work with a brain injury.
And my 2006 laptop with 4GB DDR1 RAM works okay with Firefox.
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u/Few_Virus2611 4h ago
Im a game diveloper and im using mint over 1 year now. Actually switch to linux is the best choice i gotten .because im using sum preformance demanding softwares . In window softwares like blender , unity,clion are crashing lot of times . but in linux my softwares working smoothly.also you can use windows softwares and games using wine compatibility layer .Switching to linux is 100% good desision .
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u/Upstairs-Analysis-45 4h ago
You can easily install and use it bro. I am also not a tech person but installation and all went very for me. And again if you face any issue ai assistants are more than ready with assistance. Mint doesn't cause much headache and the interface feels much more windows so adapting to the layout is also more easy.
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u/Few_Virus2611 4h ago
Im a game diveloper and im using mint over 1 year now. Actually switch to linux is the best choice i gotten .because im using sum preformance demanding softwares . In window softwares like blender , unity,clion are crashing lot of times . but in linux my softwares working smoothly.also you can use windows softwares and games using wine compatibility layer .Switching to linux is 100% good desision .
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u/Few_Virus2611 4h ago
Im a game diveloper and im using mint over 1 year now. Actually switch to linux is the best choice i gotten .because im using sum preformance demanding softwares . In window softwares like blender , unity,clion are crashing lot of times . but in linux my softwares working smoothly.also you can use windows softwares and games using wine compatibility layer .Switching to linux is 100% good desision .
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u/MetalDamo 3h ago
I just want to confirm what every other commenter before me has said. Linux Mint is really good and very user friendly.! You should go for it.! Also, you can make use of the really helpful peeps at https://forums.linuxmint.com/ the Linux Mint forums. A great community who are very willing to help.. 😊
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u/Intrepid_Screen6425 3h ago
Perhaps no one will mention it here, but the most annoying thing about gaming on Mint is that Linux directory paths are completely different and far more complicated than Windows. Wine? Wine versions? And a whole bunch of other different things. THEREFORE—the very first thing you need to master is file search commands, which was also my first step when transitioning to Linux Mint.
AFTER THAT, you will have to install a few more things to optimize gaming performance. Additionally, you'll need to look into Windows 10 virtual machine software to run Windows right inside Linux.
Those are the first few things you need to worry about when switching to Linux for... gaming. A few other cool things to check out include zRAM, which helps prevent system freezes and background app crashes. There is still so much more, so of course, it’s definitely not a case of "you don't need to know anything or need advanced skills"—brace yourself and get ready to face your new challenge!
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u/Firebird713 1h ago
the actual Linux Mint had nothing to do mit Coding. Other Distri too, but not all
It is like Windows,
you download ISO,
put it on USB-Stick,
boot from USB-Stick
Click Install and Finish.
nearly all programs you need, are in the app store of Mint.
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u/brewdog_millionaire 14m ago
If you're bored of Windows and want a change, go for it. Though some things aren't as plug-and-play as Windows, so you might have to Google a bit for issues. As a starting point though, Mint is good.
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u/PermissionOwn4400 3h ago
Dude you don't need to ask strangers on the internet for permission. Try it out for yourself and see uf you like it.
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u/wolfyreload 4h ago edited 4h ago
You don't need to be a developer/coder to use the beginner friendly Linux distros. However, you might encounter some minor issues that require some troubleshooting and googling to fix.
Linux typically has less background services, so it uses less RAM than Windows. I'd have a look on https://www.protondb.com and check that the games that you want to play work well before making the switch.
Make sure you test your wifi, sound, bluetooth etc in the Linux Mint live environment before you install.