Koos ❌

I'm thinking of moving to #ubuntu because I'm tired of Windows updates breaking basic hardware support, e.g. wifi disconnects, USB devices not working, touchpad crashing. Honest #linux users: would I have similar issues with Linux?

I'm afraid there things would be even worse because fewer people use it and it will be harder to find solutions.

Apr 17, 2017 at 1:53pmWeb
Show threadMaschaApr 17, 2017
@koos I've been using #Ubuntu for a few years (first as dual boot then exclusively) and don't really recall ever having had any major problems with hardware support. give it a try!
Show threadKoos ❌Apr 17, 2017
@masu the 'major' part meaning it was easy to fix?
Show threadMaschaApr 17, 2017
@koos I don't think I actually ever had to 'fix' anything - some things might not work at all but that's rare and usually easy to find out beforehand. the only times I had problems (such as the touchpad going crazy) they were fixed by turning the computer off and on :)
Show threadKoos ❌Apr 17, 2017
@masu okay that's cool
Show threadGarrett LeSageApr 17, 2017
@koos It's possible those are hardware issues, but you can test out most major distros (Fedora, openSUSE, Ubuntu) with a live desktop from a USB stick to see how it works for you. (Of course, booting from USB is slow and it's not an optimal experience, but you can verify hardware works and try things out without repartitioning & installing.)
Show threadKoos ❌Apr 17, 2017
@garrett I'm considering this for a new laptop and that is actually a good idea: I could take a USB stick to a local computer store and just try it if they let me!
Show threadWillywolfyApr 17, 2017
@koos Don't "be afraid". You can test it before install.
Show threadKoos ❌Apr 17, 2017
@Willywolfy well the alternative would be getting a Mac
Show threadchinditApr 17, 2017
@koos Support is great for #Linux. Don't be afraid and join us
Show threadChicoréeApr 17, 2017
@koos of course Ubuntu is great but honestly I do think Mint has a less learning curve for the beginner. Just a thought
Show threadjendaApr 17, 2017

@koos
I think you might like KDE Neon or Kubuntu (or Ubuntu flavors in general), because the enviroment is quite similar to Windows and you almost don't have to touch the command line, until you want to. And Ubuntu has pretty big user base with well working forums, where you can find answers to almost everything.

(Disclaimer: I grew up using Linux systems and I use Windows only when I really have to, so I didn't experience the process of moving to Linux from Windows.)

Show threadjendaApr 17, 2017
@koos
One of my favorite things on using Ubuntu flavors is, that most of the software you might need, you can find in official repositories. So there is significantly less of looking for software on suspicious sites and stuff.
Show threadjendaApr 17, 2017

@koos But, on the other side, there sometimes are issues, that are complicated to solve. For example, a scanner on my printer is quite buggy on linux and works quite well on windows.

And regarding software, there are some great tools, that work on Win & Mac but don't work on Linux, so you might have troubles finding alternatives for more advanced software.

Show threadKoos ❌Apr 17, 2017
@janjaromirhorak alright thanks!
Show threadpenguin42Apr 17, 2017
@koos Depends on your hardware; if you go for an Ubuntu LTS edition (e.g. 16.04) the updates very rarely break basic things and that stays good for a couple of years.
(LTS=Long term support).
Give it a go!
Show threadTeagher_studioApr 17, 2017
@koos
Totally depends on what hardware you have and what linux distribution you choose. There's a quite big community behind ubuntu ! Depends too on what usage you want to do of your computer. I'm personnaly using a dual boot, benefiting of both OS
Show threadModern IndustrialApr 17, 2017
@koos Do it. Made the move a couple of years back and never looked back. Hardware support is very good, especially if you use #Ubuntu and don't need the absolute newest gadget. Software will be the biggest change, but you can still run Windows in a VM if you really need something specific.
Show threadKoos ❌Apr 17, 2017
@Modern_Industrial yeah that's a good point. I still use a lot of adobe software and I'm not exactly charmed by the stuff that runs natively on Linux.
Show threadabbenApr 18, 2017

@koos I have been using ChromeOS lately, but yeah, I would say you are going to run into at least one wonky thing where you are googling and browsing forums to find out how to fix.

At least if you are using an unusual mix of hardware.

Show threadBobo_PK 🦄Apr 19, 2017
@koos test with a live USB stick first and run the update command. it should give you a good preview. yes I run into problems with a WiFi antenna being selected on the wrong port, but since people with the same laptop had the same problem I just followed the instructions and fixed it. An update broke it and I refixed it once, since then it worked. Ubuntu has a huge helping base and wiki's, so you will find help. Open source people are helpaholics
Show threadLomigLavnekApr 19, 2017

@koos If you hardware is recognized by default, you won't have any problems.

you can test with a live system. If it's Ok with your hardware, you won't have any problems.