7 reasons to upgrade to Linux instead of Windows 10

About a week and a half and then it is really over and over for Windows 7. We hear various questions and discussions all around us about what users can do best. Users who find their current computer powerful enough can try upgrading to Windows 10 or switching to macOS or Linux. However, we also hear that many users find the end of Windows 7 the perfect time to purchase a new computer, but even among those there is a number that does not want to go “blindly” to the next Windows 10 computer. Linux and macOS computers are also increasingly mentioned.

A small survey among our readers shows that 11 percent will upgrade to Windows 10, 36 percent have already done so, 32 percent will switch to Linux and 7 percent will switch to other operating systems such as ChromeOS and macOS. 13 percent stay with Windows 7. The question is how many people put the word to the word, but nevertheless it seems useful to us again to see if Linux is really an option for the average home, garden and kitchen user.

A lot has changed in the Linux world. The hardware support is better than ever and the number of large professional companies working on the kernel (and other components) has never been so large. Even ex-arch enemy, Microsoft, has embraced the operating system and even participates in building the OS, who would have thought that.

Yet for every positive sound, a negative sound can be heard just as loudly for Linux. Many users are still “afraid of the unknown” or simply find Linux a piece of hobby project that has nothing to do with the desktop. There are a lot of flamewars dedicated to this operating system and Windows / macOS. In addition, a lot is still being spread with irrelevant arguments that mislead users unnecessarily.

Yet it is not all rose scent and moonshine. It is high time to take the relevant arguments and to compare them with each other. We start with the benefits:

Linux is Free

Let’s start right away with the most common argument for going for this operating system: It won’t cost you anything. For 0 euros you have a very versatile operating system with which you can do (almost) just as much as macOS and Windows. Certainly if you are someone who mainly uses his computer for watching films, the Internet, typing a letter and listening to music. Almost all of these operations can be performed almost immediately after installation since applications for these functions are supplied as standard. Do you want something extra? Then you open the app store and select (the mostly free) applications that match your wishes and requirements.

The Ubuntu software store

Linux is flexible

If there is an operating system that runs on many different hardware configurations and system architectures, then it is Linux. There is a good chance that you already have a device with a Linux kernel at home or that you came into contact with a device on which the system runs today. From your Android smartphone to ticket machines at the station and perhaps even your radio, TV, router or camera. The operating system also runs on a variety of PC configurations, from your hardcore game PC to the very affordable Raspberry Pi or one of the many clones. Of course it is wise to test in advance if Linux really runs well on your computer, which is fortunately a piece of cake. Download an image file, burn it on a CD, DVD or flash it on a USB stick, start the live environment and see if everything works properly before installing the system.

Also read: Great operating systems for the Raspberry Pi

Linux is safe

Yes, it’s still true: Linux is definitely more secure than Windows. This has various causes. From the way the system is structured, to the amount of rogue hackers involved with this operating system. This does not mean that you always have to think you are safe when working on this system. You will always have to use common sense. Although malicious software will take a little more effort to get to the core of the system, deception where the user’s password is stolen is just as destructive as Windows. If you take this into account, then you are safer under Linux.

Linux is fast

Depending on the distribution you use (more on that later), Linux can be a lot faster than Windows. That means that you can breathe new life into your old (slow) PC by putting a (light version of) Linux on it. Linux generally requires fewer system resources than Windows, making it feel and work faster than Windows. If the difference is too small for you, you can always opt for an even lighter version of Linux, which makes your slow PC feel as usual (and perhaps even faster than that).

Linux is easy

Yes, we know it. This is one that is still widely discussed. It is often a matter of taste and getting used to it, moreover there are still many people who are already stressed when standard icons look different from what they have seen for years around them. Yet the difference is smaller than you think (especially if you look at how big the step was from Windows 98 to XP or from Windows 7 to Windows 8). Most functions and shortcuts correspond to what you are used to with Windows or macOS and the operation of the “start button” is almost the same as what you are used to with Windows. Do not you want that? Then go for a desktop environment that looks different and works differently. If you want something that looks as much as possible on Windows or macOS, there are even possibilities for that.

Freedom of choice, something for everyone

You already read it a bit with the other arguments. Freedom of choice is a major good and that goes very far. Not only do you have a wealth of options at your disposal to adjust your chosen Linux distribution, if you have specific requirements, you can also go for a distribution that is already tailored to your wishes and requirements.

A small selection of different Linux desktops

In short: We have been talking about Linux all the time, but that is really only the kernel (the heart of the operating system). Fans, users, and manufacturers grab this kernel, add components to it, and release it as an operating system (which is actually GNU / Linux, although Linux is often said today). These manufacturers and fans usually add packages, a desktop environment and other components to create a system that exactly meets the wishes and requirements of a group of users (or themselves). The big advantage is that there is a Linux version for everyone that fits well. This means that there are hundreds (now thousands?) Of different distributions. That can be intimidating. But as a beginner you can go for an all-round system like Ubuntu or Linux Mint. Also read especially this article in which we cover a handful of distributions for the beginner.

Long (good) support

Depending on the Linux distribution on your system you have years of (free) support. If you go for a popular distribution like Ubuntu (or derivative), you get years of good updates on a regular basis. You don’t have to do anything for that, that is something that is turned on as standard. If you opt for an LTS version (LTS stands for Long Term Service), you will get updates for five years. Now I hear you thinking: “Windows 7 was supported for much longer”. That’s right, but that support is practically over and (if you leave the bag of tricks closed) upgrading to Windows 8 or 10 costs you just money. While if your Linux distribution support expires, you can always update to the next version for free.

If you also have questions about your system or you encounter problems, you can turn to the gigantic community that is only too happy to help you on your way. And if you don’t feel like wandering through different forums, you can always pull the purse and purchase professional support from the distribution builder or a third party.

Linux is also doing well today in terms of driver support. Chances are that if you install the OS on your computer, all your hardware will be automatically recognized and installed. In addition, for example, your smartphone will always work out of the box when you connect it. Even if your device is in fastboot mode to flash it (something that allows you to stunt with drivers under Windows).

So you don’t have to worry about driver CDs or browsing the internet for the right drivers. Apart from exceptions of course. There is always exotic hardware for which no documentation is available, so the community cannot use it and the manufacturer does not want to support Linux. Therefore also in this case, first test in a live environment.

Well, that all sounds great doesn’t it? Are you already eager to download and install a distribution on your PC? Or are you eager to buy a device with the system pre-installed? Not so fast, every advantage has its disadvantage. We are now looking at reasons not to go for Linux.

Linux is fragmented

As a positive argument, we mentioned that there is a distribution for every function. Something for everyone, this can be a big advantage, but just as hard a disadvantage. If you have specific wishes and requirements, you can search for hours and maybe days for a distribution that suits you and when you find it, you just have to hope that that system works on your computer and that that version of Linux will still be supported. And then we haven’t even talked about the many disputes within the community. How often some distributions have already been forked … Fortunately, most Linux distributions are generally equipped with a modern package manager so that most applications will always work under your chosen distribution. And container-like solutions such as SNAP or Flatpak make it even easier, but there is still a chance that you are at the mercy of the gods if you start working with an exotic distribution. This argument can be overcome by simply using a popular distribution, you will not be bothered by this.

The fragmentation of Linux in a timeline. This is a very old version, now there are many, many more.

Not always such good support

Also in terms of support, things can go two ways. There are a lot of distributions made by fans and students. These support their distro intensively and are completely absorbed in it until … “life happens”. A new job, the other half, a career switch or a loss of interest can cause your favorite distribution (or application) to suddenly no longer receive updates and get the status “abandoned / EOL”. Fortunately, the community is often flexible enough to take over such a project, but that does not always happen. This sometimes happens with commercial companies, but less often.

In addition, in some cases you also get no guarantees. If the software does not work on your system, you can ask in forums if there is someone who can help you, but if there is none and the application builder (or distribution) is busy with other things, then you are baked pears.

And we haven’t even mentioned drivers yet. We mentioned the good driver support and the high plug-and-play content of Linux as a positive argument, but what if you just have that one WiFi chip, video card, sound card or scanner that is not supported by the kernel? Then you are out of luck. You often do not have to rely on the manufacturer and if the community is interested, you can still see if you can buy a more engineered driver or application. If it is already there, chances are that it will not work as well as the commercial (Windows) counterpart.

Add to that the fact that walking to any computer store and buying a random piece of hardware is no longer possible. You will first have to check in advance if the device you want to buy is also supported by Linux. Fortunately, this is now better and there is a good chance that your device will work normally, but you will always see that just that one exotic negative scanner or printer from the supermarket simply does not work. You don’t have this “problem” with Windows since every device comes with a Windows driver.

Software

There is an enormous amount of software available for Linux so that you can basically do everything under this operating system that you can also do under other systems. However, it may be that you have to work with specific software that is not available for operating systems other than Windows. Sure, you can get started with GIMP to edit photos, but if your work requires Photoshop, then it doesn’t help you. Video editing is nowadays something that works just as easily under Linux as under Windows. In fact, several Hollywood studios have already switched years ago. A wonderful argument, but one that won’t help you if the studio in Hilversum requires AVID or Adobe Premiere. Sometimes an alternative (no matter how good it is) is simply not sufficient. And yes, we know, there are tools (WINE, PlayOnLinux, CrossOver) and tricks with which you can run Windows (and even Mac or Android) applications under Linux, but those are extra steps you need to take and get support from the manufacturer you don’t have to count.

Following facts

Linux may or may not lead in many ways, but unfortunately there are also a lot of aspects that the operating system runs behind the facts. Windows is always looked at first. If new technology comes on the market, you can set the clock to include standard Windows support. If Linux is already covered, it will almost always be later and if it does not happen, the community may reverse-engineer. USB-C, 4K screens, UEFI and Thunderbolt are some recent examples. It will all be alright in the end, but sometimes you will just have to wait.

This also applies to software. Practically every application that comes on the market is for Windows. The Mac version will come later (if it already comes), but the Linux version … well, if the manufacturer wants to put time and money into it, you’ll have to go all the way back and then you can see if it is supported . This happens with applications (Spotify), streaming services (Disney +) and games (Street Fighter 5 … we are still waiting, Capcom).

via SIZZLE

And now that we are talking about games. Nowadays, gaming under Linux has become almost as easy as under Windows. Steam ensures that installing and running games is just as easy as under Windows and the number of games that work out of the box under both Linux (via Steam) and under Windows grew steadily. But still, there are unfortunately enough games on Steam that only have a Windows icon on their product page. They still can’t be played under Linux. Also the number of games that still has to be released is again only announced for Windows. The Linux version will come later, if it already comes. And now we only talked about Steam. There are other popular game portals such as Blizzard’s Battle.NET, Electronic Art’s Origin and Epic’s game store … all three are not available for Linux and the exclusive games cannot be played under this operating system. You can of course pull the box of tricks open with tools like Lutris, WINE, Cedega and PlayOnLinux, but those are extra actions that you have to do that you don’t have to do under Windows.

It’s just a Windows world

It must have become clear to you that almost all of the negative arguments that we mention go with a reference to Windows. That is because this operating system is by far the most popular OS on the market for consumer desktops. Yes, Linux may be more popular in all other industries, but on the desktop this system has a market share of less than five percent while Windows holds around 80 percent. It is therefore clear why both hardware and software are almost always developed with Windows in mind.

Conclusion

Now that you have gone through all the negative points, you may have the courage to sink in and want to play it safe by staying with Windows, but if you cross these points together, you will see that more positive points remain, in addition, some of the negative points do not apply (for example, if you are not a gamer or work with exotic hardware or software).

Moreover, it costs you nothing to just try the (live) system. If you don’t like it, just pull the USB stick or optical drive out of your system and you will be back with Windows. If you think Linux is a step too far, you can always try Android.

Also read: This is how you put Android on your (old) PC