{"id":4133,"date":"2025-01-15T05:22:16","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T10:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hstech4u2.com\/?p=4133"},"modified":"2025-01-19T23:10:55","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T04:10:55","slug":"switching-to-linux-os-isnt-as-scary-as-you-think-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hstech4u2.com\/switching-to-linux-os-isnt-as-scary-as-you-think-heres-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Switching to Linux OS isn’t as scary as you think \u2014 here’s why"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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By Sarah Chaney, May 21, 2022<\/h6>

The learning curve for Linux is pretty dang easy<\/p>

\"\"<\/figure>
Ubuntu Studio\u00a0(Image credit: Future)<\/h6>

For long-time Windows and macOS users, the thought of switching to Linux instills fear. But when Linux is just as good (and honestly, a lot safer), why not make the\u00a0switch?\u00a0<\/p>

Linux operating systems are often the go-to option for the tech savvy or computer enthusiasts, consequently, it\u2019s almost seen as exclusive to that niche. People might think, \u201cIf tech-savvy nerds gravitate toward Linux, it\u2019s probably not for me.\u201d However, that\u2019s just not true.<\/p>

If you switch smartphone brands, there\u2019s always a learning curve, but ultimately, you end up knowing that new phone like the back of your hand. It\u2019s the same concept with an operating system on a laptop. There\u2019s an adjustment period, but Linux operating systems are actually pretty intuitive.<\/p>

The interface is easy to learn and understand<\/h2>

With Windows or macOS, there\u2019s one main operating system with several iterations. For example,\u00a0Windows 11\u00a0is the latest iteration, but there\u2019s also\u00a0Windows 10, Windows 8, and so on. These are all variations of the same primary Windows operating system. The same concept can be applied to the many variations of macOS.\u00a0<\/p>

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Lenovo X13s Gen 1 with Windows 11\u00a0(Image credit: Laptop Mag)<\/h6>

Linux, on the other hand, isn\u2019t a single operating system. Rather, Linux is a kernel that has spawned multiple distributions (called \u2018distros\u2019 in the community) that serve unique purposes. There are specialized distros for gaming as well as privacy-centric distros that prioritize security.\u00a0<\/p>

There are also simpler distros for users who want an interface that looks like what they\u2019ve used in the past. If you\u2019re familiar with computers from\u00a0Apple, there\u2019s a distro that mimics the look of macOS. If you prefer Windows, there are plenty of intuitive Linux options that are similar to the Microsoft OS.<\/p>

The reason there are so many distros to choose from is the same reason that operating systems that stem from Linux are more secure: Linux is open source. Open source simply means that it\u2019s free for everyone to use, submit modifications, and if you\u2019re technologically skilled enough, even create a new distro.
\u00a0
While there are hundreds of Linux distros to choose from, here are a few that are most frequently used and fairly easy to learn:\u00a0<\/p>

\u2981 Linux Mint
\u2981 Ubuntu
\u2981 Pop!_OS (used by System76 in their laptops)
\u2981 Elementary OS (similar to macOS)\u00a0
\u2981 Peppermint OS
\u2981 Zorin OS
\u2981 Chrome OS<\/p>

There are so many distros out there that look similar enough to Windows OS or macOS, as such, it\u2019s not difficult to get used to a Linux-based operating system \u2014 and believe it or not, they\u2019re a breeze to install, too.\u00a0<\/p>

You can install Linux yourself \u2014 or buy a laptop with it pre-installed<\/h2>

In the old days, installing a Linux distribution was a task and a half. With some modern distros, it\u2019s still pretty difficult to install and maintain the operating system. But for beginner distros (like the ones listed above), the initial install is similar to installing a new program on your computer.\u00a0<\/p>

First, you\u2019ll need to figure out which Linux distro you want to install. Once you\u2019ve made your decision, you\u2019ll need to upload the distro to a USB flash drive (2GB minimum) and transform it into a bootable USB stick. Next, all that\u2019s left is to insert the bootable USB drive, reboot your laptop, follow the on-screen instructions, and test out your new Linux-based OS!<\/p>

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Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1\u00a0(Image credit: Laptop Mag)<\/h6>

When you boot your computer with the USB drive plugged in, your view will vary depending on which distro you went with. You might automatically see the Live Mode of that operating system, or be prompted to choose between viewing Live Mode, installing the new OS, or keeping your old OS through custom options.<\/p>

Live Mode, put simply, lets you view and test out an operating system before actually overwriting your current OS. Nothing you do in Live Mode will be saved, and because it\u2019s running off a USB drive and not your internal SSD or HDD, it\u2019ll be slower than what you\u2019ll experience once the distro is actually installed.\u00a0<\/p>

Before officially starting a Linux distro installation, make sure you back up everything on your computer or laptop. When you overwrite your old operating system, everything on your storage drive will be erased, so you\u2019ll want to be sure you have a copy of anything important saved somewhere else.
\u00a0\u00a0
Once your new Linux distro is downloaded and ready to use, installing browsers and applications is just as easy as on Windows OS or macOS. Plus, a lot of games on\u00a0Steam\u00a0are now compatible with Linux-based operating systems.<\/p>

If the installation process still seems like too big of a task for you, there are laptops that come with a Linux OS pre-installed. System76, a company that produces laptops and desktops, sends out their products with Pop!_OS or Ubuntu already installed. Even\u00a0Lenovo, a huge name in the laptop industry, is offering customers an Ubuntu build for its\u00a0ThinkPad laptops.\u00a0<\/p>

Keeping the system updated is a breeze<\/h2>

Every distribution of Linux will have its own way of updating the system, but most updates stem from the terminal, or the place you give commands to the OS. Because there are unique instructions for each distro, I won\u2019t get into specifics here.\u00a0<\/p>

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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9\u00a0(Image credit: Phillip Tracy\/Laptop Mag)<\/h6>

While using the terminal gives you a greater understanding of how the OS works and more control over your system, you don\u2019t have to touch the terminal for updates if you don\u2019t want to. There\u2019s an app you can download called Software Updater, which does everything for you in the background. On your particular distro, Software Updater might not be available, but there should be something similar that allows for easy updates.\u00a0<\/p>

If you make the switch to a Linux-based OS from Windows, you\u2019ll be shocked that updates aren\u2019t forced on you at random. You get to choose when or if you update your system, even if you have an app that tells you when new updates are
available. Awesome, right?<\/p>

If a full distro seems too intimidating, start with Chrome OS<\/h2>

As I mentioned above,\u00a0Chrome\u00a0OS is technically a Linux-based operating system. While it\u2019s not a full-fledged distro like Ubuntu or Linux Mint, Chrome OS is a gentle toe-dip into the pool of what Linux has to offer.\u00a0<\/p>

A\u00a0Chromebook\u00a0using Chrome OS is a lot more secure than a laptop running Windows or macOS. Plus, you can download Linux apps and familiarize yourself with a small part of what it would be like to run a full distro.<\/p>

While it\u2019s easy to stay comfortable with what you know (Windows or macOS), making the switch to a Linux-based operating system is rewarding in more ways than one. It\u2019s completely free, provides you with more security and privacy, and allows you to customize your laptop.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Sarah Chaney, May 21, 2022 The learning curve for Linux is pretty dang easy Ubuntu Studio\u00a0(Image credit: Future) For long-time Windows and macOS users, the thought of switching to Linux instills fear. 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