Windows 10 EoL is fast approaching, so I thought I’d give Linux a try on some equipment that won’t be able to upgrade to Windows 11. I wanted to see if I will be able to recommend an option to anyone that asks me what they should do with their old PC.
Many years ago I switched to Gentoo Linux to get through collage. I was very anti-MS at the time. I also currently interact with Linux systems regularly although they don’t have a DE and aren’t for general workstation use.
Ubuntu: easy install. Working desktop. Had issues with getting GPU drivers. App Store had apps that would install but not work. The App Store itself kept failing to update itself with an error that it was still running. It couldn’t clear this hurdle after a reboot so I finally killed the process and manually updated from terminal. Overall, can’t recommend this to a normal user.
Mint: easy install. Switching to nvidia drivers worked without issue. App Store had issues with installing some apps due to missing dependencies that it couldn’t install. Some popular apps would install but wouldn’t run. Shutting the laptop closed results in a prompt to shutdown, but never really shuts off. Update process asks me to pick a fast source (why can’t it do this itself?)
Both: installing apps outside of their respective stores is an adventure in terminal instead of a GUI double-click. Secure boot issues. Constant prompt for password instead of a simple PIN or other form of identity verification.
Search results for basic operations require understanding that what works for Ubuntu might not work for Mint.
While I personally could work with either, I don’t see Linux taking any market share from MS or Apple when windows 10 is retired.
I dunno, the only actual issue I've had with Mint so far that didn't just resolve after an update or reinstallation of the offending software (glares at Nvidia drivers) just happened a couple days ago and I pray to Linus I finally did the right thing to fix it:
Decided I didn't need my old Win10 install anymore and so wiped the drive it was on, partitions and everything, ready to add it as a slower extra drive for Mint.
What I failed to realize in my exhaustion (ADHD script wasn't renewed, wet blanket withdrawal is fun) was this included the boooooooooot parrrrrtitiiioooooon
Was a bitch and a half to make my install media boot in non-legacy mode for some fucked reason so boot repair was a PITA. Literally was choosing EUFI_OPTION for my install media, but then the media was all "lol bro I'm booted in BIOS legacy ain't that wild"
Once I fixed that little issue (I'm sure my dumb ass just flipped a switch somewhere without noticing) it was actually an easier fix than Windows boot repair ever was.
The heart attack when my PC just opened to a blank black screen with a cursor blinking, though, whoof. That's the kind of rush we were made for boys.