this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2023
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Linux distributions in my experience have supported all hardware I've used with it. NVIDIA graphics cards sometimes don't play nice due to drivers but in general your laptop should be supported. In regards to which distribution generally Ubuntu would be a good choice, I've also heard that Zorin OS is pretty good when moving over from windows and should feel a bit more familiar. Linux Mint could also be a good pick. In general most of the major distributions will work out fine.
In regards to Office I think you might be out of luck. Would the web version be sufficient for you? I personally have moved from MS office to ONLYOFFICE full time. Its quite similar and might not have all the features but its sufficient for me. There are other options like LibreOffice as well.
As you say if you've installed many other systems before this should be quite easy. You just need to download your chosen distributions iso and create a bootable USB in a program such and Rufus or balenaEtcher and just follow the installation process once you boot in.
@pyarra
Thanks for the very detailed thread.
"In regards to Office I think you might be out of luck. "
Are you saying that MS Office 365 (64-bit) will not run on #linux.
I have been using the 2019 version of Excel since its ß-version for performance reasons (and often don't have enough).
This is a k.o. criterion for me. :(
There it probably a very hacky way of doing it through a compatibility layer like wine but I doubt it would be either easy or stable. Have you thought about using windows as a VM within Linux and using it that way? Otherwise unfortunately then it wouldn't be a fit for you.
@pyarra
Thanks for your reply.
The VM idea is feasible. I am presently doing it on a Windows PC, while the Omen is supposed to be being repaired. However, this reduces performance, as memory is shared, etc.
If I have the VM(ware) on Linux instead of Win10 or 11, what would I have as benefits?
Well you would have the advantage of privacy/security as your host system in Linux so would send far less telemetry data if any at all. Also no more windows updates being shoved at you or restarting your computer in the middle of work. I'm sure you'd also learn a lot to. Its always good to have options.
@pyarra
I get that point, which is what I had hoped for to switch.
However, I would still be working on a "Windows PC," though a virtual one, as I work with MS O365 must of the time, apart from the browser and some other app's for editing pictures, pdf's, etc., but that is just "cosmetics."
I am not a security pro, but my VM would still be hooked up to the WWW, so what is the (security/privacy) difference - apart from that I can more easily reset the PC to an earlier state?
Also, you still..
Yeah if Office is that necessary there is only so much you can do to isolate yourself from windows without getting overly technical. The VM is only connected to the internet if you have it on and the network connection enabled in your VM software's settings.