I try using Linux on my desktop PC from time to time. Whenever I buy a new rig, I try Linux, as I want to reinstall the system anyway. It never worked. I always tried with brand new hardware -> something is not properly supported -> install current windows. Rinse and repeat every 4 or 5 years whenever I get my hand on a new desktop or laptop. That never changed for the last 20 years.
Most likely. There are distros that just works namely Mint. Follow the official guide and the computer is ready for use in less than an hour. And 'for the last twenty years'? I just don't believe it.
I struggle to believe it, too. I can think of four laptops I've installed Linux on - one Macbook, two Dells, and one Lenovo, and all four of them worked perfectly without additional tinkering. Even the touchscreens on two of them worked without intervention. I'd talk about my desktop and server, but I haven't upgraded the hardware in them in ...a long time. 8 years would be my guess. I'll have to look it up.
Nah. The OS is not important enough to me. I buy according to specs and price/performance-ratio. If Linux won't easily run, I will just run windows on it. It's only the OS after all.
when you say "something is not properly supported" what do you mean? like nvidia/amd haven't released graphics drivers yet for linux? or some peripheral isn't recognized?
basically, by buying new hardware just after it launches, you're effectively one of the very first people to boot that hardware with linux. you can usually make it work but most hardware manufacturers don't work with the linux devs to make sure support is in place. so devs have to get ahold of the hardware retail and then fix whatever is broken. the exception to this is AMD and Intel - both companies have people working on linux so they will merge support for new hardware into the kernel before that new hardware is even announced to the public. so if you stick to cpus and video cards from those two manufacturers, you'll make your linux life easier.
even then, though, the support might exist in the latest version of the kernel, but the last Ubuntu or Mint release is still several versions behind. so you're effectively forced to use a distro that releases updates much faster (ie rolling release), or be willing to make modifications to the system post-install to get it to work.
tl;dr: you've got a constellation of requirements that can't all be met at the same time. either give it 3 to 6 months after release of new hardware or be willing to learn how to make it work. expecting software to work with hardware it hasn't yet been designed to work with is always going to be a recipe for failure.
either give it 3 to 6 months after release of new hardware or be willing to learn how to make it work. expecting software to work with hardware it hasn’t yet been designed to work with is always going to be a recipe for failure.
No thanks. I can't be bothered with that. I'll just run windows.
I did the same thing starting probably around the same time as you except that did it start working for me 5 years ago and I haven't gone back to windows.
One thing to note is that there are different distributions some of wich use older software an focus on stability (debian for example) and some use bleeding edge software (arch for example)
I try using Linux on my desktop PC from time to time. Whenever I buy a new rig, I try Linux, as I want to reinstall the system anyway. It never worked. I always tried with brand new hardware -> something is not properly supported -> install current windows. Rinse and repeat every 4 or 5 years whenever I get my hand on a new desktop or laptop. That never changed for the last 20 years.
I don't mean to be rude, but you are likely the problem—not Linux. If you haven't tried using them, there are lots of great YouTube tutorials.
Most likely. There are distros that just works namely Mint. Follow the official guide and the computer is ready for use in less than an hour. And 'for the last twenty years'? I just don't believe it.
I struggle to believe it, too. I can think of four laptops I've installed Linux on - one Macbook, two Dells, and one Lenovo, and all four of them worked perfectly without additional tinkering. Even the touchscreens on two of them worked without intervention. I'd talk about my desktop and server, but I haven't upgraded the hardware in them in ...a long time. 8 years would be my guess. I'll have to look it up.
You are doning it wrong. Whenever I buy new hardware, I read up on linux support before. Formated my last windows partition at home 5 years ago.
This. No one would buy an arbitrary computer and expect MacOS to run on it, for example. Buy a computer with known Linux support. Ask the vendor.
Nah. The OS is not important enough to me. I buy according to specs and price/performance-ratio. If Linux won't easily run, I will just run windows on it. It's only the OS after all.
when you say "something is not properly supported" what do you mean? like nvidia/amd haven't released graphics drivers yet for linux? or some peripheral isn't recognized?
basically, by buying new hardware just after it launches, you're effectively one of the very first people to boot that hardware with linux. you can usually make it work but most hardware manufacturers don't work with the linux devs to make sure support is in place. so devs have to get ahold of the hardware retail and then fix whatever is broken. the exception to this is AMD and Intel - both companies have people working on linux so they will merge support for new hardware into the kernel before that new hardware is even announced to the public. so if you stick to cpus and video cards from those two manufacturers, you'll make your linux life easier.
even then, though, the support might exist in the latest version of the kernel, but the last Ubuntu or Mint release is still several versions behind. so you're effectively forced to use a distro that releases updates much faster (ie rolling release), or be willing to make modifications to the system post-install to get it to work.
tl;dr: you've got a constellation of requirements that can't all be met at the same time. either give it 3 to 6 months after release of new hardware or be willing to learn how to make it work. expecting software to work with hardware it hasn't yet been designed to work with is always going to be a recipe for failure.
No thanks. I can't be bothered with that. I'll just run windows.
I did the same thing starting probably around the same time as you except that did it start working for me 5 years ago and I haven't gone back to windows.
One thing to note is that there are different distributions some of wich use older software an focus on stability (debian for example) and some use bleeding edge software (arch for example)