Finally migrated from Windows to Linux. For anyone wondering, what is the state of Linux as your primary OS for home PC\laptop in 2023.

I’ve finalised my Archlinux installation yesterday, I dropped of Linux more than 10 years ago and experience in 2023 in comparison is awesome and beyond even wildest dreams back then:

  • For average user looking for more out of the box experience I would suggest something Arch based (people in comments suggest EndeavourOS, please do your research). Archlinux installation took me quite some time
  • Almost everything works out of the box, by just installing corresponding package
  • KDE Plasma environment is fast and beautiful
  • Pipewire audio server (Jack\Pulseaudio replacement) works great
  • Wayland window server is not there yet, especially if you have Nvidia with proprietary drivers and want to use VR. Waking up, session restoration and other scenarios have issues. Use X11.
  • Wine is great!
  • Music making - Bitwig Studio DAW has linux native version, yabridge allow you to use windows VSTs, which are easily installed via wine
  • Gaming works out of the box with Steam for majority of titles, some games have native linux version. Performance is great. In worst case windows game might loose 5-15% in performance. Was not case for my titles
  • Gaming outside steam is fine too. Use Wine, Lutris, Proton
  • VR is a mixed bag. Not everything is there (Desktop view, sound control and mirroring, camera, motions smooth, lighthouses do not wake up os go to sleep. I use my phone to turn them on/off). But if its not the problem for you, quite some titles work. Tried: native HF Alyx, Lab, windows: Beat Saber and Boneworks. For me it’s a surprise, I did not count on it. Performance is great.

So overall my experience is great. Eventually I’m going to get rid of WIndows on other computers and laptops at howe. I can finally wave goodbye to Windows, with lots of ads and bloatware. Alway glad to help with answers regarding installation while my memory and history logs are fresh. ^^

  • beta_tester
    835·
    9 months ago

    Arch for an average user?

    Do you mean for the average nerd? Arch is def not for an average internet or computer user.

    Stop using x11. X11 is legacy.

    Youc’ve got nvidia? Get a better system and don’t complain that wayland dorsn’t work. You’ve got the wrong thing. It’s your fault, not waylands.

    • Peter1986C@lemmings.world
      121·
      9 months ago

      Waking and sleeping does not work properly with my RX6600+wayland either (MX Linux). So I think you are (besides being rude) also partially incorrect. I get Arch family is not for regular people, but otherwise I kind of think you need to rethink your comment.

      • beta_tester
        56·
        9 months ago

        You’re right. I’m sorry for being rude. Recommending x11 over wayland isn’t the right thing to do which is why I was too hasty.

    • JackbyDev@programming.devEnglish
      121·
      9 months ago

      It’s your fault, not waylands

      Pretty sure it’s Nvidia’s fault for being so stingy with their driver code.

    • MyNameIsRichard
      159·
      9 months ago

      Wayland doesn’t work with the hardware of a major vendor. That’s totally Wayland’s fault.

          • sir_reginald@lemmy.world
            3·
            9 months ago

            imagine if nvidia started launching new graphic cards but they only developed drivers for Windows XP. No support for 7, 10 or 11.

            So, the graphic cards work yeah. On a legacy system.

    • the_lone_wolf
      11·
      9 months ago

      I do use vanilla arch but i never suggest anyone to use it because the amount of full system update necessary to prevent it from breaking, i always run sudo pacman -Syu after login and if a user don’t have broadband connection then i don’t think arch and gentoo linux are for them.