I'm ready to take the plunge and switch to Linux. It's time to say goodbye to Windows and embrace the open-source world. I've been a loyal Windows user for years, but the constant push for new features and the encroachment of AI assistants are becoming too much. I want to regain control over my computer and my data. And with gaming on Linux becoming more viable, it's the perfect time to make the switch.
Linux has come a long way in terms of desktop usability. It's no longer just a niche operating system, and with the efforts of companies like Valve, gaming on Linux is now a real option. I've read about the upcoming Steam Machine and seen Antonio's experience with Bazzite, a Fedora-based distro, running on the Framework Desktop. It's time to give it a try.
My current Windows setup is functional, but it's not without its flaws. I don't want to talk to my computer, use OneDrive, or be forced into using Recall. I'm tired of the constant push to use Edge, Bing, and Copilot. I paid for Office 365 to edit Excel files, but now it's turned into Copilot 365, and it can't even open a Word document. Microsoft's end of support for Windows 10 and the constant upsell for AI agents in Windows 11 are just the final straw.
I've used Macs for work and dabbled in Ubuntu, but I've been a Windows guy since 3.1. I brought a desktop to college to play games and have been building my own PCs for 18 years. I try to stay familiar with all major operating systems for my job, so I have a MacBook, Chromebook, ThinkPad, and older hardware. I can work well in Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS.
However, my experiences with Linux have been hit-or-miss. I've tried setting up Homebridge on a Raspberry Pi, running a Linux VM on my Chromebook for Obsidian, and setting up virtual machines for keyboard firmware. These projects took longer than expected and cut into my limited discretionary time, which I use for gaming, reading, and organizational tasks.
The idea of spending more time troubleshooting and getting my computer back to baseline functionality is tempting, but it's also why I haven't made the switch yet. It's a good time to try gaming on Linux, and with the Dual Boot Diaries podcast and my powerful desktop, I'm ready to give it a shot.
I've decided to install CachyOS, an Arch-based distro optimized for gaming on modern hardware. It's got support for cutting-edge CPUs and GPUs and promises an easy setup. I know it won't be smooth sailing, and I might encounter issues. But I've arranged things so the stakes are medium: I have other machines to work on, and if it takes too long, I can always go back to Windows.
Only time will tell if I'll become a Linux convert or come crawling back to Windows. But I'm ready to take the challenge and see where it takes me. Stay tuned for updates on my Linux journey!
