Which Linux Distro to completely replace Windows?

Hi everyone,

I'm getting fed up with Windows and I need your help and advice selecting the best distro for me considering my laptop hardware and most important features for me..
The laptop is a Samsung 530U3C and specs are: i5 3317U, intel HD4000, 8Gb RAM, 500GB HDD and 24GB iSSD ExpressCache.
- Important HW functions I'd like to ensure working are: CPU clock not fixed to low or high but hybrid (a bit similar to Samsung Optimized power plan), Fn keys working, ExpressCache configured for Cache and Hibernation, for faster performance and boot, and USB 3.0.
- I use some programming tools like Odin to flash my phone, Samsung Smart Switch and others..
- I use Samsung Link to connect my laptop to my Smart TV and stream media, and I'd like to know if there's any type of allshare solution like in my Android devices..
- I play PokerStars..
- Do I need any anti-virus or firewall? What are my options? Also, I use BatteryCare to monitor my CPU and HDD temp, and personalize power plans.. Any alternative there?

In addition, I've browsed through Mint page, and I've noticed 4 different desktops available, Cinnamon, MATE, KDE and Xfce.. Whis this important to me or should I just roll with Cinnamon and that's it?

Thanks in advance.

 

As far as I know there are no express cache programs available for Linux. The proprietary software for this is Windows based. Power plan offerings and hardware monitoring are much less controllable and limited in Linux over Windows. To use Linux prepare to let your OCD relax a bit.

For a W7 replacement I like KDE but you can use any or all of the desktops, then just log into each as you want. They are only UI's and shell launchers essentially.

I am not too sure about outside programs but there is allot out there. Soon I may be in your boat and just rip the bandaid off and go off to the races.

 

Thanks for your answer,
I also already made a few discoveries of my own..

"Linux does support variable CPU speed. Fn keys might require a bit of configuring. ExpressCache is a windows thing, but I would imagine equivalent functionality is available in Linux. Linux does support USB 3. There are applications for Linux to monitor CPU and HDD temperatures, and you can set timers to shut off the display and that sort of thing to save power."

Regarding pokerstars - See http://www.pokerlinux.net/pokerstars-linux/ - Runs through Wine
Regarding my Smart TV issue I've found a great DLNA server that works in linux - Serviio: http://www.serviio.org/ - Awesome app, and much easier to use in a Smart TV than Samsung link!
Also, although not useful so far, a good place to look for Linux-equivalent applications for Windows apps is http://osalt.com

 

Expect to loose some functionality. This is par for the course. This is not necessarily a bad thing but something that may be part of the learning curve. You actually may find some things work better but it could take a bit of work to get there.

 

None. For a Windows replacement, use another version of Windows.

With that said:

Intel's own driver will handle the job. Don't try to out smart it. They understand their own hardware. As for Samsung Optimized Power Plan, that thing is just an unnecessary extra layer above Window's own configuration so Samsung's product appears to be a little "different".

Should work out of the box on most systems. If not, your boot loader will allow you to pass parameters to the system, where you can add "acpi_osi=Linux" and see if it works. If that doesn't work try "acpi_osi=Windows". Also try "acpi_backlight=vendor" if you're having backlight related issues. See your distro's install instruction for the details.

The common SSD caching solutions under Linux are BCache and EnhanceIO. However, I would recommend installing the base system to the SSD directly instead. If you know some folder will contain large datasets, symbolic link it to the HDD.

This one won't work. You'll just have to use other flashing methods.

Assuming you're not setting up your laptop to be a server, forget about it.

Many native monitors and cross-platform ones like Open Hardware Monitor exist. For power plans, the most common solution is Laptop Mode, though many prefer to make customized scripts to get the exact behavior they want.

Doesn't matter. You can install all of them (and many others) and switch among them to see which you prefer if your first choice doesn't work well for you.

 

Honestly, there is no Linux replacement for Windows. If you want to play around with Linux, you could just dual boot. As for which distro, I would definitely recommend Ubuntu for a beginner. It has the most documentation, most help/FAQ/forums and just information in general, and they make it pretty easy to use. You don't really need an AV or firewall but you could run one if you want to. I don't run any AV or Firewall on my Linux-only server, or on any of my dual-booted Linux computers but I run an AV+Firewall on Windows.

 

I have to somewhat disagree. A replacement for Windows is what does the user do? If it is just basic consumption almost any linux distro will do. Now production is an entire different world.

 

Also need to disagree on the "No replacement for Windows"; it's all relative to what you need an OS for. Personally, almost all of my work is in some Unix-like and POSIX-like flavor, so Windows does poorly there unless you spring for the expensive versions which have Unix Services installed. Yet again, most of my gaming is under Windows because that's one of their few remaining strongholds, so my desktop remains on 7. And my Elitebook has 10 solely because I want to play around with Visual Studio 2015 and the associated /NET framework.

That all said, I'd also disagree with Ubuntu as a first choice, now that Shuttleworth has decided that it's okay to install spyware in his company's OS (Google "Ubuntu Amazon" for details). Personally, I'd go for Mint, which OP already discovered. It's based off of Ubuntu (which in turn is based on Debian), so you can still use the same support forms plus the Mint ones, but there's no spyware installed and imo the support is better given to the Mint group than Canonical at this point in time. Maybe if Ubuntu cleans up its act I'll reconsider them as a good choice.

@OP: The different desktop options all work fantastically, though they aim for somewhat different use scenarios. Cinnamon and MATE tend to go for the "oh shiny!" look and they are awfully pretty interfaces, though iirc MATE is somewhat lighter on system resources than Cinnamon. KDE will be the one that looks the closest to your current Windows desktop (things are mostly laid out the same) and also look fairly pretty. Xfce is a bit more basic (though still very functional) and is aimed at low system resource usage (so for older computers or for those who don't want to use as little CPU/RAM as possible for their desktop).

 

That's fine that you don't disagree but at the end of the day the best replacement for Windows is Windows. There's a reason why Windows is Windows and Linux is Linux.

As for the Ubuntu spyware, that's certainly interesting and unfortunate but it definitely has an easy fix so maybe it's not too bad. Here's the fix:
wget -O disable-searches.sh http://drive.noobslab.com/scripts/disable-searches.sh
chmod +x disable-searches.sh;./disable-searches.sh;rm disable-searches.sh

I mean, it's pretty bad that there has to be a fix for that but oh well, I still like Ubuntu and will still be using Ubuntu as my primary Linux distro...

I use XFCE and would definitely recommend it, I love it.

 

Yeah, the distro itself is fine, though it's just easier not to have to deal with that problem in the first place by using another distro .

Another vote for Xfce; it's simple and gets out of the way. Though I do have a bias for lightweight stuff (currently running Arch with just Openbox and tint2, so not even a "real" desktop environment).

 

Some good info here. I'm looking to (potentially) move my in-laws' older laptop to Linux, since their current copy of Windows 7 is giving them issues. I'm currently trying Ubuntu, but I'll definitely give Mint KDE a shot, if it really is the most like Windows in terms of layout.

As long as they can use Chrome/Firefox, Skype and an email client (I'm guessing Thunderbird?) they'll be fine.

 

Chrome should work, and Firefox is the default for Mint. I run Chromium on my Linux installs and it works just fine, even integrating with my Google account (yay bookmark syncing!). While I don't use Skype myself, I see that there is a Linux version available. Thunderbird works just fine the one time I tried it, though I'm more of a web browser person than desktop program person.

You can also consider just reinstalling Windows 7 and seeing how well that works.

 

I've tried several distros and to me Linux Mint is my favorite to this day because it's the most user friendly and visually appealing version of Linux out there. It has everything a typical Windows wants (Email, Web, Video, Music, Word Processing). Ubuntu is the most used distro, it's stable but i'm not a fan of Unity but it is user friendly as well.

OpenSUSE is another quality distro and Yast2 is an update client that sets it apart from the others. It was at one point based on the more appealing KDE design but has gone to the more traditional flat design. I prefer the way it used to look which gave Windows 7 a run for it's money in the looks dept.

I'd like to add if you choose a version of Linux make sure to download the LTS version. It's the most stable and has 5-7 years of support and it's constantly updated.

 

I tried that a few times, this last time I made myself the admin and only gave them regular user privileges (they kept screwing things up, downloading/installing stuff they shouldn't, etc.). Several times now they've been getting the "not genuine" message, and this time around, the typical cmd fixes don't work. I might actually have to call into Microsoft and have them fix it (it's a genuine Windows copy, came with their laptop). Every single suggested fix I've come across hasn't worked.

Plus, I like the idea of Linux, and I think they're the ideal candidates for it (don't really do anything on Windows they can't do on Linux).

 

Oh, I definitely agree with you there. I was just listing off options is all.

 

If you want the most like Windows in terms of layout, I would suggest looking into Zorin.

 

Have you tried it yourself? Thoughts on it vs Ubuntu/Mint KDE?

 

Completely forgot about Zorin. It's basically yet-another Ubuntu clone, but it's meant to look a lot like a Win7/Win10 hybrid.

 

I would just try all of them if you have the time. I use Ubuntu primarily because it mostly just works correctly. I have been meaning to try out the new version of Fedora, OpenSuse, Archlinux and Gentoo.

 

For Windows applications:

VirtualBox has come such a long way, that it's now fast and easy to set up a Windows virtual machine on a non-WIndows installation. It requires more than 4GB of RAM to work well (8GB is even better) but you can natively run a lot of Windows programs, for free. Graphics (3D, mainly) aren't perfect and games compatibility is only partial but that's the only criticism it gets from me. Previously I kept a Windows installation on my system and dual-booted but the virtual machine means that I haven't had to boot Windows for just under a year now.

For Linux Distros:

Try Linux Mint - I set my grandparents up with this and they love it. It looks a bit different from Windows but they can find the web browser, office applications and email client just fine, which is 90% of what they do with the system. There is one app that is Windows only that they run from a Windows 8.1 virtual machine and despite any worries that this would be confusing, it has been very straight forward for them to use. You could also try Ubuntu with the Unity interface - my grandparents liked that, although their old computer didn't quite have enough power to run it smoothly (Single core Pentium - I kid you not).

 

I have tried it in a VM and had issues with it but it's basically Ubuntu with a Windows 7-like Desktop Environment.

 

You might want to take a look at this and review yourself all different distros environments..
http://desktoplinuxreviews.com/

 

Not sure why you describe it as "for free". You still need a Windows license.

VMWare is better in the graphics support department.

 

VirtualBox is free in both senses. VMWare costs money for the sfotware itself.

Who doesn't at least have a Windows XP/Vista licence? I have at least 4 stuck to the bottom of systems that have been upgraded and no longer require Vista or XP. For using the occasional task - for running the occasional app that you need it will likely be sufficient.

 

So I've tried Ubuntu, Mint and Zorin. All decent, though I think Zorin is probably the "best" in terms of ease-of-use for people (older people) coming over from Windows. Not by a large margin though.

Nice and light, only requires 3GB of disk space or so.

 

No it doesn't. VMWare Player is free, and that's what I typically use. VMWare Workstation is probably the non-free version you're thinking of.

And you're also confused about the terms and conditions about the Microsoft licenses you see attached to OEM-built computers (I assume that's what you're talking about). You're only supposed to use those licenses on the computers they come on. They *might* work on a VM, but don't count on it.

 

You're right - I wrote some spectacular rubbish. I've used VMWare Fusion for Mac and VMWare Workstation for other OS'S and knew that I purchased them but you're right that there is a free option that I was unaware of.

The second correction is well made too. You are right that it is against the terms and conditions unless it is installed on the same system that it came with. I believe that if the OP's system has a Windows OEM or retail license, they could install it with full compliance with the T+C's, so long as they use it only on that virtual machine and run the VM from a non-windows OS as the base system. In this instance it seems like it would work but I'm wary of making any statements at this point in case of future embarrassment.

Thanks for pointing out my mistakes - I usually try to get facts right but it's good that nonsense is challenged before it spreads.

 

No problem mate, everyone makes mistakes every so often.

 

For the beginner/average user:

For the tinkerer:

For old computers:


'nuff said.

 

On my Linux laptop I have used Office 2007 via WINE for years without any issues. Office 2010 will work in WINE but is a bit more work to get going.

I also run a Windows XP virtual machine in KVM as the performance is better than with Virtualbox or Vmware. I only really use it for running Adobe Acrobat Professional & whatever doesn't run in WINE (like BIOS flashing utilities).

I only really use Windows for gaming & on that laptop use Vmware to run Linux to do work on (so I don't need to dual boot). Vmware allows "nested virtualization" (so you can run KVM machines inside the Linux vm). You can also minimise a full screen Vmware vm like any other Windows application which is nice.

As others have noted Ubuntu or Linux Mint is a good choice to start Linux with. XFCE is a good all round Desktop Environment.

 

I recommend going with either a rolling-release distro, or one based off of ubuntu 14.10 LTS (long term support). That way you don't have to bother reinstalling when a new version of your distro comes out. Distros based off of ubuntu's LTS releases usually have updates for 5 years.

 

For me there is no linux distro to replace windows entirely. Are two different worlds, both with virtues and defects, if you're looking for in the linux world a clone of windows gives up.
Windows is paid, linux is free, windows and more intuitive, linux is now much easier to use (excluding Kali linux), but you still have to install the command line programs. In conclusion, Windows is for everyone, Linux only for those who do not like to give the porridge in her mouth.

 

Hmm, I don't agree with much of that. First off, Windows 10 is now essentially a FREE product, unless someone is has not upgraded from Windows XP or Vista and the question would be why at this point. The vast majority are at least on Windows 7 and that qualifies for Windows 10 and Microsoft has said from now on Windows is now a service and will be free.

I also disagree with Linux being less intuitive. Depending on the Distro, it's just as intuitive as Windows. Obviously most computer users would use Windows as a benchmark in ease of use vs Linux but a mainstream version of Ubuntu or Linux Mint is just as intuitive as Windows. Nowadays, if you can use Windows or OS X, you can use Linux and if a question ever arises wrt Linux, 99% of the questions have already been answered and a solution has been offered via a Google search.

I've been using Linux for roughly 6 years now and I rarely use the Terminal and most users wouldn't need to as well. Linux also has most of the basics covered with an Office Suite, multimedia player support, internet, email etc which is what most users want.

The only reason I haven't ditched Windows and it's only one reason are my PC games. I have two gaming rigs, one is a dedicated Steam Box and the other is for racing and flight sims. Those games are not available on Linux as of yet.

I just installed Mint 17.3 and it's becoming easier to get your updates and drivers via software manager. And Mint 17.3 Rosa is quite zippy on my aging 2009 Dell laptop.

 

When did they actually say this?

 

Actually it is W10 is a service.

 

How, in any sense of the word, is that even close to an answer to my question?

 

http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/7/8568473/windows-10-last-version-of-windows

"Right now we’re releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, we’re all still working on Windows 10." That was the message from Microsoft employee Jerry Nixon, a developer evangelist speaking at the company's Ignite conference this week. Nixon was explaining how Microsoft was launching Windows 8.1 last year, but in the background it was developing Windows 10. Now, Microsoft employees can talk freely about future updates to Windows 10 because there's no secret update in the works coming next. It's all just Windows 10. While it immediately sounds like Microsoft is killing off Windows and not doing future versions, the reality is a little more complex. The future is "Windows as a service."

 

Tightly controlled closed gardens lead to more profit. There's no way back.

 

Thank you!

 

Partial answer, was letting you search for the rest.

 

This rather defeats the point of asking a question, if the response to that question is effectively: 'find out for yourself', n'est pas?

Exactly how Windows will make money will be interesting to see - I've read endless tinfoil-hat-wearing, rabid-weasel-frothing-at-the-mouth-crazy ruminations and speculation but nothing solid yet.

 

Who's your doctor that you see no difference between "find out yourself" and clarifying partial answer.

When I see Linux Mint's features for the first time my feelings are "I already like it". When I see new Windows feature I'm like "Well, I can deal with it" or "It doesn't interfere with what I like to do too much". See the difference?

 

Fair enough. I thought that answer was not informative enough to even constitute a partial answer but perhaps other people found it more helpful than I did.

Agreed on new Windows features - it has been a while since a new feature actually made something better for me. Snap windows was honestly one of the last addition that I liked - as opposed to things that changed just for the sake of changing.

 

Windows is not a service under the old EULA, Looking for it generically can either lead to confusing answers or just plain old FUD. W10 as a service is the proper partial answer. The original posed statement made it sound like all of the Windows world is now a service and thank god it isn't. But I will agree without searching it the partial answer may not seem relevant but then again I intended it not to be, that is part of the fun of searching and learning..

 

At least in my country (Portugal) there are several programs that interact with the tax administration, which does not even run with the Wine installed, only on windows.
When we talk about users, we need to make distinction between people who do not know, nor want to know how to download a program, only want to use, and that windows is mutch more easier than linux.
Another example, the accounting, invoicing programs only work on windows, do not have linux version.
That of w10 being free is false, do there are many people still with xp and vista and these have no way to do the upgrade for free.

 

Every one man alive live in Portugal and use specific programs which interact with Portugal tax Administration.

 

Windows 10 is FREE for users of Windows 7 and up and there was a reason for that choice. There is absolutely NO reason for ANYONE to be running Windows XP 15 years later, NONE. It is out of date and has more security holes than Swiss Cheese. Windows Vista was a marketing disaster. No one wanted Vista which is why Windows 7 was rushed out the door in 2009 and that is the reason why Microsoft made it available for free to users of Windows 7 and on. They wanted to shut the door on the ugly stepchild known as Vista and they wanted to kill off XP once and for all. Heck I had a brand new copy of Windows Vista Ultimate I couldn't give away.

In short, both operating systems in 2015 are irrelevant. So Windows 10 is a free product. So your statement is the one that's false !

 

I felt the same way about Linux Mint when I first tried it back in 2009 and Mint just keeps getting better and better and it even has a REAL Start Menu that's logical (intuitive) and works well, go figure.

 

That's all true but you could always run a Windows XP or Vista VM from within Linux and just use Linux as your main OS. I wish I could use Linux as my main OS - I use it on my server, but I am a gamer so I still NEED Windows, even using a Windows VM with 3D graphics acceleration from within Linux doesn't give me enough performance - maybe one day it will, perhaps when GPU passthrough becomes a little bit easier to set up than it currently is.

 

This is a great thread, with much good information. I ditched Windows in 2010, and never looked back. I do not game, but if you do and want to try Linux, I would suggest these Debian versions:
http://www.mepiscommunity.org/mx
http://makululinux.com/
These work on old and newer computers alike. There are great video tutorials and I've never had a problem I could not solve using it.
My everyday computer is a Panasonic Toughbook CF-52, using LMDE found here: http://www.linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php
It's a rolling release, and allows me to load and configure my web browser with citrix, which allows me to get on my company network in Nashville, TN.
I can do everything I need and want using Linux, and I'm very happy with that.
I don't consider Linux to be free. There is some work involved to get it to do what you want and need. I also donate freely to the distributions I've tried over the years. It is worth the effort to try Linux and I hope many will go for it.
Just my two cents...Best regards!