Desktop Linux Transition: Initial Report
The author initiated a project to install Linux as their primary operating system on a desktop PC, aiming for a low-maintenance setup. The initial transition has been largely positive, with some expected challenges proving straightforward and unexpected difficulties arising in other areas.
A specific issue with a gaming mouse, which functions only within games and not on the desktop, was noted early in the process.
Installation Process
CachyOS was selected for its optimization for modern hardware and ease of setup for gaming. The installation involved a series of methodical steps:
- Backing up the existing Windows image.
- Creating a Ventoy USB drive with the CachyOS live image.
- Disabling Secure Boot in the BIOS.
- Booting into the Ventoy bootloader and launching CachyOS.
During the live image phase, mouse buttons were unresponsive, requiring keyboard navigation for initial setup. The installation process presented several choices for system components, including bootloaders (Limine was chosen) and desktop environments (KDE was selected from thirteen options).
CachyOS was installed on a separate physical drive from Windows to prevent bootloader conflicts. Initial partitioning created a 2GB boot partition and a 100GB btrfs root partition, which was later expanded to 1TB.
The entire installation completed in a remarkable six minutes.
Hardware and Software Functionality
Most hardware, including GPU drivers, monitor, speakers, and a Logitech webcam, functioned automatically upon installation. A printer, however, required a firewall adjustment to operate.
Application installation utilized Cachy's welcome screen, the Arch User Repository, and universal Linux app initiatives (Flatpak, AppImage, Snap).
Installed applications include:
- Chromium
- Discord
- Slack
- Audacity
- 1Password
For web browsing, Firefox and Chromium are currently in use, as the preferred Arc browser is unavailable for Linux. Web versions of Airtable, Spotify, and Apple Music were easily accessible.
Gaming Experience
CachyOS simplifies the gaming setup by offering a one-click gaming package that includes Proton, Steam, and Heroic Games Launcher. Following the root partition expansion, the game "The Outer Worlds" was installed and ran successfully using Proton, with cloud save synchronization working.
Despite the general success, the previously identified gaming mouse issue persisted: the mouse functions for input within games but remains unresponsive on the desktop.
Outstanding Issues and Future Plans
A significant challenge emerged with Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, for which an official Linux version is not available. While the Java Edition works, attempts to run the Android app via MCPE Launcher were unsuccessful. Exploring the Windows version with Proton is a planned next step.
Other untried areas and future considerations include:
- Face authentication (howdy)
- An Arc browser alternative (Zen)
- Cloud storage synchronization
- Git configuration
- A comprehensive backup strategy
Conclusion
Less than a week into the transition, the experience with Linux has been smoother than anticipated. The operating system provides a focused environment free from promotional nudges.
The author expects to encounter further challenges but expresses no current regrets.
While acknowledging its benefits, it is noted that Windows or macOS may still be necessary for specific professional tasks or to play Minecraft: Bedrock Edition with family if a viable Linux solution is not found.