And in most cases, the user interface of most desktop Linux distributions in the 2020s are so similar to Windows that I often have to stop for a second and remember which system I'm on, and that usually only because the keyboard shortcuts for accented characters are different (ALT+numberpad codes v. Compose Key sequences)
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The one snag I ran into installing Linux on my brand new laptop was actually caused by the OEM Windows 11 install: they turn BitLocker disk encryption on by default, and that messed with Linux's ability to install the proper Secure Boot file on the hard drive's EFI boot partition, but you don't find that out until you are halfway through the Linux install.
It's easy to fix, once you figure it out, but don't pretend that installing Windows is always seamless. I've been doing this for decades.
Had I wiped the SSD first, that wouldn't have ever come up.
And the only reason why I didn't wipe the SSD first is because apparently Dell no longer provides a WIndows Product Key that I can type in manually.
They somehow do the Windows verification entirely digitally, and I'm not sure where the Product Key is stored, so I didn't want to take the chance.
Normally, I immediately wipe the factory install because of the bloatware, and install Windows from scratch, myself.
All hardware on my Dell Inspiron 5440 is 100% functional on Linux without having had to install any drivers whatsoever.
The only real issue with using Linux in 2025 is application choice and availability. Whether it's games or professional production flow apps, Linux just really doesn't have the applications (yet).
But if all you really need is web browser, email, media watching/management, and typical office suite鈥攁ll that most people do? Linux does all of that at least as well as Windows.
And in most cases, the user interface of most desktop Linux distributions in the 2020s are so similar to Windows that I often have to stop for a second and remember which system I'm on, and that usually only because the keyboard shortcuts for accented characters are different (ALT+numberpad codes v. Compose Key sequences)
When I built my desktop PC in 2022, installing Linux was also equally easy. No drivers needed, no conflict with Windows BitLocker, because I built it from bare metal.
Both these machines are dual boot. The desktop PC stays in Windows most of the time, because that's my home entertainment PC, and I use it to play #FFXIV. The laptop stays in Linux most of the time.
My kitchen table PC is a 2012 Apple MacBook Pro (formerly macOS/Win10) running Linux Mint Debian Edition 7, also a flawless install.
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