Posted on 12-04-2025

Why You Should Try Linux

Linux is a powerful operating system and is widely used on servers. But why isn't it more popular on desktops, even with so many Linux distributions available? Some people say Linux is hard to use, unstable, or lacks app support. Others say it's stable, privacy-focused (unlike Windows), and easy to use. In this post, I'll explain why you should give Linux a try and why I believe it's a great option.

Windows 10 End of Life (Why Consider Linux?)

As of now, we're nearing the end of Windows 10 support, meaning it will no longer receive security updates. While upgrading to Windows 11 is an option, Microsoft has made the requirements a bit restrictive. Many desktops and laptops have CPUs that aren't officially supported or lack TPM 2.0. This could lead to a lot of devices being discarded. Linux can be a great alternative and extend the life of older hardware. I have several desktops, including a 17-year-old PC, that run perfectly on Linux.

Linux is Customizable

Windows has its own distinct look. Windows 10 looks different from Windows 11, just like every version before it—appearance changes over time. This is where Linux Desktop Environments come into play. Linux has several major Desktop Environments. My favourites are: Gnome, Plasma, Cinnamon, XFCE, LXQt, and LXDE. Gnome, Plasma, and Cinnamon are considered the most visually appealing by many, as they resemble the traditional Windows layout. These desktop environments are the heaviest to run, though they are still much more lightweight than Windows, especially in terms of RAM usage. XFCE, LXDE, and LXQt also look and feel good while being even easier to run, making them very viable options for older systems. Depending on the Linux distribution you choose, desktop environments can look very different. For example, XFCE in its default form might not look familiar to many users. However, on Zorin OS Lite, which uses a heavily customized version of XFCE, it looks much more like Windows. You can customize your Linux desktop to your liking, just like Zorin OS does. You can find detailed videos on customizing your desktop on YouTube. So if you don't like the look of a particular Desktop Environment, don't worry—you can change it to suit your preferences. Depending on the Linux distribution you choose, the desktop environment's appearance can vary significantly. For instance, XFCE may look unfamiliar by default, but on Zorin OS Lite (which customizes XFCE), it looks very similar to Windows. You can also personalize your Linux desktop as you like. There are many YouTube videos that walk you through customization. So even if you don’t like a particular desktop environment at first, don’t worry—you can always make it your own.

Privacy and Bloatware

When it comes to privacy, Linux is far ahead of Windows. Linux collects little to no user data, while Windows collects a way more. If a Linux distribution does collect data, it’s usually optional and can be turned off easily. Linux installations generally come with minimal software pre-installed, giving you control over what apps are on your system. There are also no ads in Linux, and you can even choose privacy-focused distributions if that's important to you. Linux is open-source, meaning anyone can inspect or modify the code. In contrast, Windows is closed-source and proprietary. Here’s a quick comparison:

Stability, App Support, and Ease of Use

People say that Linux is unstable. This can be true, but the same goes for Windows. Linux is least stable when using a rolling release distribution or choosing an “unstable” or “beta” version. For example, Debian 13 is currently in “testing” and is therefore not stable. System76 is also working on a new desktop environment called “Cosmic,” which is still in Alpha. However, there are plenty of stable Linux distributions, like Ubuntu—especially the LTS (Long Term Support) releases. Ubuntu (and Debian, which it is based on) also serves as the foundation for many other distributions. Zorin OS and Pop!_OS, for example, are both based on Ubuntu. App support used to be a problem, but it has improved significantly. Spotify, for instance, did not support Linux for a long time, but now it does. You also don’t need to use the command line to install apps. Most distributions come with graphical app stores that include many of the applications you’ll need. Gaming has also improved a lot. Steam’s compatibility layer, Proton, allows many Windows games to run on Linux. The Heroic Games Launcher lets you play games from GOG, Epic Games, and Amazon Luna. Of course, there are still some limitations. Fortnite, for example, is unplayable due to anti-cheat restrictions. However, I tried Fall Guys, and it installed and ran without any extra steps—just install and play. And even if you do need to use the command line, it’s not difficult on Debian or Ubuntu-based distributions, and there's a ton of help available online through Google and YouTube.

Conclusion

Linux isn't as difficult as many people think. It has improved in terms of app support, is easier to use, stable, privacy-friendly, lightweight, and highly customizable. Making it suitable for almost any user. Gamers may still have some limitations, but for general desktop use like email and web browsing, Linux is a great alternative to Windows. I recommend trying Linux on a spare machine first. If you like it, consider switching on your main computer. Great beginner-friendly distros include Ubuntu, Pop!_OS, Zorin OS, and Linux Mint. They’re all easy to use and stable. I hope this post has been helpful, and I look forward to sharing more with you in the future!