I finally tried Linux and realized every reason I avoided it was outdated

Linux has always carried a certain reputation. Most people still associate it with developers, command lines, and endless compatibility issues, enough to scare away the average user before they even try it. As a lifelong Windows user, I avoided it for that exact image.

But after all those “just switch to Linux” comments under almost every Windows article I wrote, I finally gave in. As a complete beginner, I picked the most user-friendly distros I could find: Linux Mint. And honestly, after spending a week, I realized most of the reasons I had avoided Linux were either exaggerated or completely outdated.

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You can use Linux without the terminal

I barely touched the command line

One of the biggest things that kept me from trying Linux was the Terminal. As a lifelong Windows user, I’ve always preferred clicking through menus over typing commands in a black box. And every Linux meme, tutorial, or forum post I ever came across seemed to revolve around the terminal, so I always assumed it was something you had to use all the time.

But that’s not the case anymore. Most Linux distributions are surprisingly user-friendly. On something like Linux Mint, everything from installing apps and managing settings to moving files around can be done through graphical menus. Even system updates and managing drivers can be done without the terminal. Anyone who has ever used a Windows PC or a Mac before will feel right at home with distros like Linux Mint.

Of course, the Terminal is still there, and Linux enthusiasts love it for a reason. It’s often faster and more powerful than digging through menus. But if you’ve been fearing Linux because you’ll have to run commands to do everything, it’s not true.

Linux doesn’t look confusing or outdated anymore

Not the nerdy desktop you remember

If your mental image of a typical Linux desktop comes up with a clunky interface with tiny icons and gray windows, I had the exact same impression. And it’s completely wrong today.

Distros like Linux Mint, Ubuntu, and Zorin OS look nothing like that because they’re designed with everyday users in mind, not just developers or hobbyists. Everything feels familiar right away. You get a taskbar (called Panel here), a start menu-style launcher, system tray icons, and all the standard stuff.

More importantly, everything is customizable. On Linux Mint, for instance, I was able to dive into System Settings and change the theme, tweak effects, customize the taskbar, and switch screensavers. And yes, it gives you far more options than Windows out of the box. I could make the desktop look minimal, colorful, modern, or even identical to Windows. What I like the most is that you don’t need third-party apps to change basic parts of the interface.

Linux gaming is better than most people realize

I finally understand the Linux gaming hype

Proton settings Steam — Screenshot by Raghav – NAR

Gaming has always been Linux’s weak link, but things are much better than before. And a big reason for that is Valve’s Proton compatibility layer built into Steam. Proton essentially allows many Windows games to run on Linux with little to no effort. Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, Grand Theft Auto V, and Hades all run quite well on Linux.

Another thing that works in Linux’s favor is that the OS itself is lightweight and efficient. This means the game you’re running gets more resources, which is always handy for gaming on older hardware.

Of course, gaming on Linux is still not perfect. Specifically, many multiplayer games that rely on kernel-level anti-cheat software don’t work on Linux. Titles like Valorant, Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Apex Legends still don’t work on Linux or require workarounds. But overall, the gap between Linux and Windows gaming isn’t anywhere near as massive as it used to be.

App availability is no longer a problem

Linux isn’t starving for software anymore

Spotify on Linux Mint 23 — Afam Onyimadu / MUO

Much like gaming, app support is another reason I stayed away from Linux all these years. And while that concern is still partly valid today, it’s not as big a deal as most people think. Linux distros have massive software libraries, and installing apps is easier than ever.

Sure, not every app supports Linux natively. Popular apps like Steam, Discord, Spotify, and Slack are still missing. But honestly, the rise of browser-first apps makes this less of a problem than it would’ve been a few years ago. I can open most of these services directly in a browser without feeling like I’m missing much.

For the occasional app you absolutely can’t live without, there’s also Wine, which lets you run Windows apps on Linux. It’s not ideal, sure, but it gets the job done. And for anyone who enjoys open-source software, Linux has some great alternatives. You’ve options for everything from photo editing and office work to note-taking.

When I first installed Linux, I expected to learn everything about it from scratch. But it wasn’t nearly as intimidating as I’d imagined. Of course, Linux isn’t a perfect OS. There are still quirks, but they aren’t big enough to dismiss it without even trying it.