I finally tried Linux and realized every reason I avoided it was outdated

Post: I finally tried Linux and realized every reason I avoided it was outdated

You can use Linux without a terminal.

I barely touched the command line.

One of the biggest things that kept me from trying Linux was the terminal. As a lifelong Windows user, I’ve always preferred clicking through menus to typing commands into a black box. And every Linux meme, tutorial, or forum post I’ve ever seen seems to revolve around the terminal, so I always assumed it was something you had to use all the time.

But that’s not the case anymore. Most Linux distributions are surprisingly user-friendly. On something like Linux Mint, everything from installing apps and managing settings to moving files around can be done through graphical menus. Even system updates and drivers can be managed without Terminal. Anyone who has ever used a Windows PC or Mac before will feel right at home with a distro like Linux Mint.

Of course, the terminal is still there, and Linux enthusiasts love it for a reason.. This is often faster and more powerful than digging through menus. But if you’re afraid of Linux because you have to run commands to do everything, that’s not true.

Linux no longer seems obscure or outdated.

Not the nerdy desktop you remember.

If your mental image of a typical Linux desktop comes with a clunky interface with small icons and gray windows, I had the exact same impression. And today it is completely wrong.

Distros like Linux Mint, Ubuntu, and Zorin OS don’t seem like it because they’re designed with everyday users in mind, not just developers or hobbyists. Everything feels instantly familiar. You get a taskbar (called Panel here), a Start Menu-style launcher, system tray icons, and all the standard stuff.

More importantly, everything is customizable. On Linux Mint, for example, I was able to dive into system settings and change the theme, tweak effects, customize the taskbar and switch the screensaver. And yes, it gives you more options than Windows. I can make the desktop minimal, colorful, modern, or similar to Windows. What I like the most is that you don’t need third-party apps to change basic parts of the interface.

Linux gaming is better than most people realize.

I finally understand the Linux gaming hype.

Proton Settings Steam — Screenshot by Raghav – NAR

Gaming has always been Linux’s weak link, but things are better than ever. And one of the main reasons for this is the proton compatibility layer of the valve formed in the steam. Proton essentially allows many Windows games to run on Linux without any effort. Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, Grand Theft Auto V, and Hades run very well on Linux.

Another thing that works in Linux’s favor is that the OS itself is lightweight and efficient. This means the game you’re running gets more resources, which is always useful for gaming on older hardware.

Of course, gaming on Linux is still not perfect. In particular, many multiplayer games that rely on kernel-level anti-cheat software do not work on Linux. Titles like Valorant, Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Apex Legends still don’t and don’t need to work on Linux. But overall, the gap between Linux and Windows gaming isn’t as wide as it used to be.

App availability is no longer an issue.

Linux is no longer hungry for software.

Spotify on Linux Mint 23 — Afam Onyimadu / MUO

Like gaming, app support is another reason I stayed away from Linux all these years. And while this concern is still partially valid today, it’s not as big a deal as most people think. Linux distros have massive software libraries, and installing apps is easier than ever.

Of course, not every app supports Linux natively. Popular apps like Steam, Discord, Spotify, and Slack are still missing. But honestly, the rise of browser-first apps makes it less of an issue than it was a few years ago. I can open most of these services directly in the browser without feeling like I’m missing out on much.

For the occasional app you just can’t live without, there’s also Wine, which lets you run Windows apps on Linux. It’s not ideal, sure, but it gets the job done. And for anyone who enjoys open source software, Linux has some great alternatives. You have options for everything from photo editing and office work to note taking.

When I first installed Linux, I expected to learn everything about it from scratch. But it wasn’t as scary as I thought. Of course, Linux is not a perfect OS. Still weird, but they’re not big enough to dismiss it without trying.