Linux: The Right Choice For You?
Introduction
I have recently seen many posts, news stories, videos, and more talking about Linux as a viable option for disgruntled Windows 7 users. These views often fall into three categories: Fanboy support, pessimistic dismal, community outrage. There is a very distinct lack of sensible analysis of whether a Windows 7 users would feel at home using Linux or not. This is unfortunate, as fanboy excitement, while perhaps commendable from an enthusiasm perspective, can lead someone switching from Windows 7 to get the wrong idea about what to expect. Pessimistic dismal, effectively saying a Windows user "won't like it so don't bother" is just simply a bad attitude to take and is effectively a cop-out. The worst is perhaps an opinion I will call "community outrage." It is this weird reaction by some Linux users who react with disgust that someone from the Windows universe is asking questions or looking for more information on Linux, with the potential goal of switching. This outrage also seems targeted towards those who want to provide easy resources for Windows users who are seeking to switch. I am not sure why this attitude exists, but it is highly toxic and is a turn off to Windows users looking for an alternative computer operating system to use. It also makes the Linux community look bad, as this outrage seems rooted in the same attitudes of "RTFM," Read The F*****g Manual, an unhelpful and harmful way with which some long time Linux users act towards newer users seeking help with problems or questions they have.
My goal with this write up is to examine why Windows 7 users are faced with a tough choice, why Linux might be a good alternative for them, and what are some key things to examine before a Windows 7 users makes the switch to a Linux-based operating system.
The Demise of Windows 7
On January 14, 2020, a particularly solemn moment for many long time users of Microsoft Windows occurred. That day marked the end of Microsoft's support for the operating system. Microsoft had been steadily trying to push the users of Windows 7 to Windows 10, the current and now final iteration of the Windows operating system. Among many issues the end of support for Windows 7 has caused, the biggest ones arise from its market share. As of March 2020, 2 months after the end of official support, Windows 7 still possesses nearly 25% market share.
For many Windows 7 users, the idea of switching to Windows 10 was either not possible or revolting. Many users of Windows 7 simply refuse to switch to an operating system they view as inferior to their current system. Windows 7 is viewed by many as being more stable, more manageable, and more secure than Windows 10. For some users on older hardware, switching to Windows 10 is simply not functionally feasible due to physical hardware constraints.
Tough Choices For Windows 7 Users
For Windows 7 users, this presents a series of tough choices for how to proceed. The first option they can choose is to just continue using Windows 7, despite the lack of Microsoft support. This, however, presents a very fundamental security issue as the longer an operating system goes without updates, the more likely it will be to become a liability due to security vulnerabilities going unpatched. This really can only be a short term solution, at most, until a better alternative is found. The only way this can be considered a more long-term solution is if all networking capabilities are removed from the computer, meaning all Ethernet cables unplugged and all wireless radios turned off. This will reduce the capacity of the machine to operate, but will ensure it is at a much lower risk of being exploited due to a security vulnerability.
The second option is to purchase Extended Security Updates for Windows 7. This would provide extended support through 2023 for Windows 7 and prevent it from becoming a security hazard due to lack of updates. However, ESU is only available to Enterprise and Volume License customers, meaning the average Windows 7 personal user would have exceptional difficulty getting their hands on these extended updates. It also is only a temporary solution by delaying the issue by three years. These ESU's must be purchased each year and the price increases each year. This simply is not a solution for most non-enterprise Windows 7 users.
The third option is to upgrade to Windows 8, which has automatic support until January of 2023. However, Windows 8 was generally regarded as a poor operating system, by Windows standards. It also has higher hardware requirements than Windows 7 does, meaning this still will not solve some user's needs. This is also just a stop-gap measure, much like ESU's for Windows 7, due to the end of support for Windows 8 coming in 2023.
Lastly, there is one more potential option. Current Windows 7 users could look to an alternative operating system, instead of Windows, to run on their desktops and laptops. Aside from Windows, there are two practical choices: MacOS and Linux. MacOS only officially* runs on Apple Hardware and therefore would require the purchasing of new hardware to run it. While this might be suitable for some Windows 7 users (more on that later), it ultimately is a poor choice for the average user. This leaves another option, Linux.
*It should be mentioned that there are ways to run MacOS on official hardware, called Hackintosh, but I will not be getting into those details here.
Why Linux?
Linux, as an umbrella term, represents a wide range of operating systems that are all powered by the Linux Kernel. The Linux Kernel was created by Linus Torvalds in 1991 and is modeled after the UNIX systems created during the 70's and 80's. It is considered to be a very stable, efficient, clean, and secure base for an operating system.
Linux Is Everywhere
Though many PC users will not realize it, they have almost assuredly interacted with a system running Linux at some point. Greater than 90% of the Web is powered by servers running Linux. The most popular smartphone OS, Android, is built on Linux. Nearly all of the top super computers run a version of Linux. Many Internet of Things (IOT) devices run Linux as well.
Linux is all around us, powering most of what we consider the modern world. Fascinatingly enough, the desktop and laptop PC market is literally the only area where Linux has not penetrated to such a large extent. This is gradually changing though. Google Chomebooks, powered by ChromeOS, run a version of Linux. It should also be mentioned that high end graphical and visual effects work stations used in the professional industry are slowly switching to using Linux. This is due to the much greater efficiency of the Linux operating system leading to greater performance than can be achieved on Windows. A large portion of Machine Learning is also done on Linux as well. In some cases, gains of as much as 50% can be achieved just by switching from Windows 10 to Linux for intense graphical rendering.
Linux Is Stable & Secure
There are many reasons why massive web servers, super computers, and stock exchanges run Linux, but most important of all is because it is stable and secure. The Linux Kernel receives very rapid updates which can and do rapidly resolve issues, fix errors and bugs, resolve security issues, and add support and features. This is due, in part, to its open-source nature, meaning the source code for the kernel is freely downloadable and can be read and modified by anyone. These modifications can then be sent upstream for review by the developers who can then implement those changes back into the Kernel. This allows for rapid updates to be released and major releases to occur much more frequently than seen with Windows. On top of this, all changes are reviewed by either Linus Torvalds himself or one of his hand-picked lead maintainers. This ensures the Kernel stability, security, and quality are maintained through these releases.
Linux Is Free
The Linux Kernel is free, both in terms of "Free Beer" and "Free Speech." The kernel costs nothing to download and use, and it is completely open source and freely readable and modifiable by anyone. As was mentioned above, this freedom means anyone can download, read, and modify the kernel to their needs and/or liking. This modified version of the Linux Kernel can even be re-released by the person who modified it. This is thanks to the Linux Kernel being released under a GNU Public License (GPL2) which allows for anyone to modify the source code and redistribute it, so long as they release it under the same license the original source code was released under. This has led to Linux being used in a vast variety of fields, from phones, to cars, to supercomputers.
Linux Is Freedom
This is perhaps the biggest part Windows and even some MacOS users have to wrap their heads around, there are no rules for how to run your computer operating system. You can customize it as much or as little as you desire. How your Graphical User Interface looks, how your system performs, how secure it is, what features it has. There are no limits on what and how you can change and customize your system. This always seems to be the hardest part for Windows users to understand. If you don't like how your system looks, change it. If you don't like how you download apps, change it. If you don't like how something performs, change it. Your computer is your own, make it so.
Linux Basics
For a Windows user venturing into exploring Linux for the first time, they may be overwhelmed by it all. Distros, kernels, repositories, desktop environments, it would be very easy to become dismayed by it all and never return. So it is important to break down what these terms mean and why they are important. Please note this isn't a tutorial on what the in-depth parts of these terms are, just a brief overview.
Distro
Distro is short for Distribution. It refers to a specific kind of operating system running on the Linux Kernel. A Linux Distro is a completely bundled operating system, with a graphical user interface (GUI), a specific way to download apps and software, a specific update schedule, and more. The Linux Kernel is just the underlying base of all Linux operating systems, the distro is what makes it usable as a true computer. There are MANY different distros to choose from, but a few big names worth mentioning are Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Fedora, CentOS, and Manjaro.
It should be mentioned that some distros are actually forks of other distros, meaning that are developed from other Linux Distros. This is the case with Ubuntu, which is a fork of Debian, and Fedora and CentOS, which are forks of RHEL. Each distro has specific attributes that set it apart from other distros and choosing between them comes down to what a user prefers in terms of built-in features. If a user has newer hardware (less than 1 year old) they may choose to use a distro with has more frequent updates and uses newer versions of software, such as Manjaro or Fedora. If a user likes a consistent update schedule and good software compatibility, then Ubuntu would be a great choice. If a user is in an enterprise environment or wants stability in their operating system, then Debian, CentOS, or RHEL would all be good choices. It is worth mentioning that not all distros are free, meaning they cost nothing to use. RHEL is an enterprise grade Linux distro, and users must pay an annual fee to use the distro. Though for this fee, they gain access to a large amount of traditional tech support, which for a business is vital.
Kernel
Different distros may choose to use different versions of the Linux Kernel for their releases. A distro focused on using the newest software, such as Manjaro, will use the newest versions of the Linux Kernel available. Some releases, such as Ubuntu, may use a version or two older of the Linux Kernel so it is still up to date, but also vetted for stability. While distros with a primary focus on stability, such as Debian or CentOS, may choose to use a Long-Term Support (LTS) version of the Linux Kernel. These are specific releases which carry a much longer support time than the average kernel releases do. This ensures the best stability and compatibility, and are ideal for enterprise or server environments where upgrading the kernel could cause incompatibility issues and downtime.
Repositories
Repositories are the ways with which different distros collect software and apps available to download on a Linux machine. These apps and software can be downloaded through an application similar to an app store on Windows or Mac, though Linux has been doing so for far longer. This software is vetted and means that Linux machines are far more secure than the typical Windows machine, due to the fact that downloading software from websites on the internet, while possible, is far less likely to be necessary.
Desktop Environments
Desktop Environments (DE's) are the graphical interface for a Linux machine. This provides the looks and themes for the machine, how program windows work and are organized, how apps are interacted with, how the desktop looks, and more. Different distros can and do use different Desktop Environments, however, different distros can also use the same Desktop Environment as well. Distros are different from Desktop Environments, which can be very confusing for new users looking into Linux operating systems. There are many different Desktop Environments to choose from, but some of the most popular and widely used ones are: Gnome, KDE Plasma, Mate, and XFCE. Typically, Gnome and KDE Plasma will be found on newer machines with better hardware, as they are more fully featured and possess the full feature suite one would expect from a Windows or MacOS desktop experience. However, on distros which are considered lighter and more well suited for older hardware, you may find Mate or XFCE being used, due to their lower hardware requirements. They may not possess the same graphical looks of Gnome or KDE Plasma, but they unlock the potential for older hardware to perform much better than could be expected from Windows on the same hardware.
Much More You Can Explore
As I said, this is not an in-depth exploration into the individual parts that make up a Linux operating system. This is just a brief overview of some of the most commonly heard terms associated with Linux operating systems, and will be important in helping to decide which Linux Distro is the right choice.
Is Switching The Right Choice?
So, you are considering switching to Linux from Windows, but you are asking yourself if this is the right choice? Well, this depends on what your use case is for your computer. As depending on how you answer, will change whether you should be OK switching or not.
Web Browsing, Email, Media Streaming
Do you use your computer primarily to just browser the internet? Send and receive emails? Stream music or video from online sources? Well, do I have good news for you, Linux is a perfect fit for these purposes! The security of the operating system, the much lower overhead, and the general stability means that a Linux distro focused on software compatibility and stability, such as Ubuntu, would be a great choice for you. Most major browsers are compatible with Linux, such as: Brave, Mozilla Firefox, Chromium (the open-source, but identical, version of Google Chrome), Opera, and Vivaldi. There are several great emails clients to choose from if you prefer using stand along apps for handling email. These include Mozilla Thunderbird, Evolution, Geary, and more. The lower overhead for Linux systems means that you may find that streaming media online is actually a better experience on Linux than on Windows. All of this and more is done on a system which is fundamentally more secure and stable than a normal Windows system. If these are your use cases for your computer, you would find Linux to be a good fit for your needs!
Gaming
This is a relatively new development for Linux systems. If this question had been posed just 2 years ago, the answer would have generally been that Linux was not a good choice for gamers or those who do a lot of gaming on their machine. However, things have changed rapidly regarding this. Valve's Steam gaming center now includes compatibility software, called Proton, built natively into their Linux client. This enables many Windows-only games to run on Linux by default, with little if any modification required. In fact, Proton now boasts that 77% of the Top 100 games are ranked Gold or higher for compatibility with Proton on Linux. This is a remarkable achievement in and of itself, and these numbers will only grow as Valve continues to dedicate more resources to creating the best gaming experience on Linux possible. With the release of newer gaming engines than use Vulcan over DirectX, it is also likely that you can find performance increases in a game, on the same hardware, when comparing between Windows and Linux.
Not all games are compatible though. The games most likely to be incompatible with Linux are those that run anti-cheat software, such as BattleEye, alongside the game itself. This is typically found in many online multiplayer games and therefore means many popular games, such as Player Unknown's Battlegrounds, Rainbow Six Siege, and Destiny 2 are currently incompatible. It is possible that in the near future this could change as increasing pressure is applied to both game companies and anti-cheat software developers to create a solution that doesn't exclude Linux users. However, for time being some games just simply will not work on Linux. Unless these are your primary games, however, this should not detract from the current abilities of Linux Gaming to support the overall majority of Steam games. If you play a wide range of games, and are possibly willing to do a bit of exploring to see how to best configure a specific game to run at its peak, then Linux is a strong option you should consider.
Of note are two particular distros that are great for gaming on Linux: Manjaro and Pop!_OS. Manjaro is based on Arch and is built around the idea of having the most update to software as soon as possible. It is a great choice for gaming because it will likely have the best support for the newest hardware thanks to it's bleeding-edge updates. Pop!_OS, on the other hand, is actually a fork of Ubuntu, meaning it carries the same software compatibility and stability of Ubuntu. It also receives any major updates that Ubuntu also receives. What makes Pop!_OS a very viable distro for gaming is it's clean user interfaces and it's integrated support for Nvidia GPU's. If you favor the best hardware support and most up to date software, then Manjaro is right for you. However, if you favor stability and the best software compatibility, and/or use an Nvidia GPU, I strongly recommend you check out Pop!_OS. It has been my daily driver for a year and is by far one of the best distros I have ever used.
Specific Application Reliance/Workflows
This will perhaps be the most challenging categories with which a Windows user could effectively consider switching to Linux. If your workflow is reliant on or requires a specific application or suite of applications, you may have difficulty switching. This will be highly dependent on what application or suite you use, as some may be perfectly compatible with, or even natively run on, Linux. However, some will not work on Linux.
Two particularly large application suites that are, as of March 2020, almost completely incompatible with Linux are Microsoft Office and the Adobe Suites. At this time, it does not seem like any of the major Adobe products will be coming to Linux any time soon. This could change in the future, but for now seems to be a pretty far off occurrence. As for Microsoft Office, some of the older versions of Office can be run with compatibility software on Linux, but any of the newer version of Office or Office 365 do not run on Linux. Microsoft has been committing extra resources recently to developing software for Linux and porting Linux software to Windows. So it is possible that a Linux version of Office could be released if the demand is great enough. However, this also does not seem like it will be occurring anywhere in the near-future.
There are alternative to Microsoft Office and Adobe that do work well with Linux, if you are willing to explore other options. For office suites, Libre Office is a fantastic, open-source alternative to Microsoft Office that contains a large portion of the functionality of its MS Office cousin. It can even open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files and save in MS Office compatible formats. For Adobe Suites, such as Creative Cloud, some alternatives are Gimp, a powerful photo editor, and Inkscape, a powerful vector graphics program. Both are open source and work natively on Linux. If you can afford to look beyond the MS Office or Adobe product suites, then these alternatives may prove to be potentially viable for you. However, if your workflow or job is reliant on using Microsoft Office or Adobe products, then you may need to reconsider switching to Linux. However, this is the one case where switching to MacOS could be a viable alternative for you. It would require spending money to purchase a new (or used) Mac computer, but would still allow for the use of both Microsoft Office and Adobe Suites. Ultimately, this will need to be a decision that fits your needs best, but Apple's MacOS should not be discounted for this particular scenario.
Other Scenarios?
If your use case falls outside of these few scenarios I described, then a generally good idea to examine what applications you most use and determine if they can run effectively and efficiently on a Linux system. DuckDuckGo, Google, or another equivalent search engine will be your friend for this. Searching online to see if a specific application of software is compatible with Linux will be the quickest way to determine how viable switching to Linux could be for yourself.
One other particularly important part that needs mentioning is hardware. While Linux should install fine on most name-brand systems, custom built computers or very new machines could run into hardware compatibility issues while trying to install Linux. Of particular note is if your machine uses an Nvidia-based GPU. For this, you will need to manually install the drivers for your GPU from either your distro if they offer one or from Nvidia's website. Another big issue are the wireless cards in some machines, particularly laptops. While compatibility has improved, it is not impossible to find a compatibility issue with a wireless hardware peripheral. This issue could either be solved by a software update after compatibility is added for the hardware or solved by adding an external wireless USB dongle. An Ethernet cable could also be used if the laptop has a port for it. While some in the Linux community point to potential hardware issues as a reason Windows users should not consider switching to Linux, I reject this notion. Most distros should work just fine on most hardware commonly available on the market. Yes, there can be a small minority of cases where a hardware issue presents itself. However, I do not believe this is a big issue for many and should become less of an issue as time advances. If you are seriously concerned about hardware compatibility, lookup what specific hardware parts your machine uses, particularly things like your networking cards, and search online to see if those have had any major compatibility issues.
The best answer to any of these issues is, do your research. Just some cursory searches online can reveal a lot about a potential issues with particular hardware components. You might also find other users online with the same hardware who could offer tips and tricks for using your machine in a way which can utilize its resources even better.
Conclusion: Exploration Is Good
If you have made it this far and are still wondering whether switching to Linux is a good choice for you, consider this: If you have nothing to lose by exploring other options, why not do so? If you dislike it, back out and go back to what you like best. If you like the idea, but dislike many aspects of one distro, try another one. If you like most aspects of a certain distro, but dislike a few key parts, see how you can change them. There is no hard rules about what you must and must not do when exploring if a Linux system is right for you.
If you would like to learn more about how to go about trying and installing Linux, I will leave a link to a good video tutorial on how to do so! I may do an in-depth tutorial later on for how I setup my own system, but that is outside of the scope for this write up.
I hope this has been of some help to those thinking about switching from Windows and wondering if Linux is right for them. Particularly those Windows 7 users now currently stuck in a tough spot who do not wish to move to Windows 10. My goal with creating this was to give a rational overview of the pros and cons of switching to Linux, without resorting to fanboy rhetoric or pessimistic dismissal, or worse... outrage.
If you have any questions, please feel free to as them in the comments and I'll be happy to help if I can!
About The Author
Southern Wolf is a certified Linux Systems Administrator who has used Linux for half a decade. Linux has been his daily driver for his computers since May of 2019. He hold a BS in Business and is currently studying for more advanced certifications related to Linux and hardware infrastructure.