Linux on the desktop: what to expect

Are you considering running Linux full time on your main device? Here are a few tips from someone who's been on Linux since the 1990s.

Is Linux only for experts?

The short answer is yes. Linux requires expertise to install and maintain. On the other hand, Windows and any other OS require expertise too. The difference is that maybe the Windows experts are more common than Linux experts.

If you plan to use your Linux computer purely as a user, you should have access to someone who can manage your computer, including installing software, upgrading, solving issues, and teaching you how to use it. This isn't any different from Windows, or any other OS. I know users like this and they don't find Linux any less user-friendly. On the contrary, with its many options, Linux can be customized to the specific needs of the user.

If you plan to manage your Linux computer yourself, you'll need to learn new tricks. Windows offers a middle path—a “power user”—that allows you to do some things from the UI while preventing you from being too destructive. Linux is not as forgiving. Management is done from the command line and what you type in will be executed by the OS without hesitation. This means you should understand what you're doing and what you expect to happen and not to happen. An approach of “try this, if doesn't work, then this” will likely do more harm than good. And turning it off and on again usually does not change a thing.

This is perhaps why most people shy away from Linux. They think they're experts but they really are power users. On the other hand, if you're already technically inclined, it's a wonderful way to deepen your knowledge.

Which distro?

Linux ecosystem is diverse and comes with a lot of variety. There isn't one set way to do anything so you'll need to navigate options.

An important aspect of Linux distros is how software updates are released. A versioned updates model requires that all the software included in the distro is cutoff at a certain version. The distro makes sure all things work together and releases only minor fixes and updates. Once in a while, usually a year or so, a new version of the distro will be released, requiring a full upgrade. This upgrade process may or may not go smooth depending on how much you've tinkered with the system and what software you have installed.

The rolling update model, in contrast, releases updates continuously. There is no difference between minor and major updates. The tradeoff is that you avoid one big painful upgrade, but might be prepared to solve minor pains on each update cycle you run.

Which model to choose? If you're completely new, you might want the stability of the versioned model. As you gain experience, you can switch to a distro with a rolling model. If you're already experienced, you can skip the first phase. In either case, be prepared to try out a few distros before you settle in. Try different desktop environments, browsers, maybe even kernel patches. Embrace the variety. Linux allows you to express your own approach much more than any other OS. 

The migration process

Start using Linux as your main OS. Sure, you can try things in a virtual machine or WSL. But this would be a second class experience. Going full-in will force you to solve problems, evaluate options, and get adapted much quicker. That does not mean you need to abandon your old OS in a snap. Transition smoothly by getting a second drive and dual booting. Or, if you're planning on getting a new device, use that as an opportunity to try Linux. Migrate your main workloads first though.

There are a few common annoyances with moving to Linux. First is the hardware compatibility. Not all hardware has drivers for Linux and not all hardware works properly in Linux. In my case, a laptop Broadcom WiFi card didn't work properly in Linux and I had to swap the card for an Intel one. But it turns out Intel makes two kinds of cards, ones that work great and ones that don't. So, always check for specific hardware models, not just brands.

While installing Linux, it's advisable to set up full disk encryption right away. If you don't do it, you can't turn it on later without reformatting. That's unlike Windows, where you can turn this on or off anytime.

Lastly, a notable issue is the graphics stack. While video cards from major vendors get excellent driver support, the desktop apps are currently undergoing a long migration from an old system called X.org to a new system called Wayland. X.org has been the standard for decades, and all software works great with it. Unfortunately, it does not support well many new features found on laptops, such as touch and pen support, HiDPI, or HDR. Wayland is more modern, but some apps, for example VirtualBox, haven't migrated yet, and will run in compatibility mode. The exact experience will depend on the specific stack, including your card, desktop environment, and the app. Sometimes, the experience will be just fine, and sometimes you'll need to solve issues.

Is it worth it?

So far, I've outlined many of the hurdles. It might sound like Linux is only for the hardcore computer fanatics. Not at all! You're probably here because you're considering the switch for a reason—be it less bloat, better performance, or the open-source world. Your expectation will likely be satisfied and then some.

And for any issues, there's a huge community of people who either already know the solution or are willing to find it for you. In my case, a laptop had an issue in graphics drivers. And when that issue hit, it was game over—hard freeze. With the tools I had at my disposal, I was able to diagnose the issue and avoid triggering it. Next, I filed a bug report with the driver maintainer. It turns out others were having these issues, too. But the maintainer did not have the exact hardware setup to get these bugs. So, collaboratively, we figured what the issue is and the maintainer promptly fixed it.

Once you get past any initial obstacles and get some experience, Linux will feel like a well-oiled machine. Simple, smooth, robust.

I hope this article gives you realistic expectations and perhaps pushes you over the edge to try! I'll be happy to hear your story.