Million-dollar question: Should you install Linux on a gaming laptop?
Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland. It was inspired by Minix, a small Unix System. It is simply an Operating System. It was introduced in October 1991.
The first official version was Linux 0.02. In 2001, 2.4 version was released. It is developed under the GNU license, which allows the source code of Linux to be distributed freely. Linux is used for networking, software development, and web hosting. The features of Linux are:
- Multi-user capability.
- Multi-tasking.
- Security.
- Portability.
There are two ways of installing Linux – CUI (Character User Interface) and GUI (Graphical User Interface).
The kernel is central to the system. It interacts with hardware directly. Without this, the operating system does not exist. The shell is a program written in ‘C’ language. Shell interacts with the user, whereas kernel interacts with hardware. The different types of shells are Bourne shell, C shell, and k shell. The applications are the one that runs on the operating system.
Linux is everywhere these days, and many hardcore gamers have many more games to play on Linux than ever before. However many gamers who have Windows PCs are apprehensive about installing Linux as a primary operating system on their gaming rigs.
One Redditor asked about it on the Linux subreddit and got some interesting answers from his fellow Linux users. Redditor Hentaichrist asked the following question :
I’m getting a new laptop(Lenovo y70) in a couple of days. I’m a really big gamer and that’s the bulk of what I’ll be using it for. I’m weary of windows 10 though and I don’t really prefer it over win7. Would it be worth it to use Linux and would my games be compatible? Also what version should I use if I were to?
Here are some of the answers that he received.
CaptainRobotnik: “I don’t think Linux is particularly well suited for your use case… You could try disabling Nvidia Optimus and install an easy distro like Ubuntu with the proprietary Nvidia drivers, but once you start trying to install your Windows games via WINE you’re going to have a bad time.”
Swordgeek: “You’ll have to boot into Windows for almost all of your games.”
Derpypeasant: “If you are seriously into gaming, Linux is not going to be for you, unless you like what is on the Steam-Linux list. I honestly don’t see the point in Linux unless you are interested in open-source software or software freedom.”
Jonne: “If I cared enough about gaming, I’d dual-boot. Have Windows be the games part, do all your other stuff in Linux.”
Danaholic86: “Dual boot ubuntu on it. Gaming on Linux is a rather….. disappointing….. experience as of now.”
Prozaker: “I also have the same brand of computer and I had to double boot from the start. I like games and I know that Linux is not the best gaming platform at the moment.
I have windows 8 and Xubuntu running on the same laptop one for games and the other one is for work and I really like how it plays out. After 5 I just reboot and log on into Windows.”
BulletDust: “On the contrary I find Linux gaming support to be increasing in leaps and bounds. Running Nvidia hardware and proprietary drivers I’m loving playing UT4 Alpha, TF2, Portal 2, Torchlight II, CS: GO and many others. I’m actually experiencing better performance under Linux than I was under Windows.
Honestly, I never thought I’d see the day!
I have a very capable Windows 10 rig here, all it does if play BF4….”
Rcboy147: “You are asking an entire subreddit that loves Linux, the question would be YES!
But I think in your case dual-booting Windows 7 is your best bet, you can get things working well in linux but it does take time and 95% of the time you will not get it working the way you want it to.
I currently dual boot Windows 7 and Linux Mint, and find it easy to switch because SSD time reboot doesn’t take that long. it is sometimes a pain wanting to switch to do ONE thing but I normally have a Linux laptop around that I can do my shit on while needing to be on windows.
I also recommend using an old laptop that no-one uses anymore and install Linux on something like that so you can learn and have a play around with it to see if you like it.”
Adevland: “Get Linux mint. You can easily switch between the integrated & dedicated GPUs. Depending on what games you play you might actually be surprised to see how many of them have native Linux ports. Currently, 6/10 top played games on steam work on Linux. And whatever you do don’t use wine. You will end up being frustrated and blame it on Linux (although it’s not it’s a fault).”
Uph: “I’d recommend Ubuntu unless you have a specific reason to use something else. It’s the most popular option which makes support easy. We don’t know what games you play, but you can see for yourself on https://appdb.winehq.org/ or see if the game is available for GNU/Linux on Steam. If your games aren’t compatible you could always dual boot.”
While many Redditors may have opposing views, with the increased snooping issues on Windows 10, it is worthwhile to have a Linux OS aboard your PC. With more and more games being launched for Linux, it is better to opt for Linux in long run.
