I started my programming journey on Windows, like many others. It was the standard choice, and I didn't think much of it. After some time, I switched to macOS, which felt smoother and more reliable for coding tasks. It was only macbook air so I needed machine upgrade as my worked required more specs.
So, I decided to get a new ASUS Windows laptop, thinking it would be a practical upgrade with better hardware. I assumed it would enhance my experience even more. But after just a week, I realized that coming back to Windows after using macOS wasn’t for me. I didn’t like anything about it.
Desperate for something better, I decided to try the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). This was my first real experience using Linux as my main development environment. While I’d used Linux occasionally when working with cloud services, I’d never depended on it for day-to-day coding. I immediately fell in love with how simple and minimal it felt. Everything I needed was just a command away. I knew what I had to do next to escape the miserable Windows experience.
I took the plunge and installed Ubuntu 22.04 on my ASUS laptop. Being new to Linux, I ran into problems. There were moments of frustration, times when I didn't know how to fix something. Instead of solving the issues, I often just tried another distro. I got into this thing called "distro hopping", Linux users can relate.
Then I found Pop!_OS. Although I had tried it before and it didn’t work properly, this time—after weeks of hopping between distros—Pop!_OS was finally running smoothly. Maybe something went right this time that hadn’t before. I had found a distro that could get me through each day without major issues. Sure, there were still some minor problems, but by then, I’d learned how to fix them. For about five months, everything was smooth.
Until it wasn't. The problems started creeping back in, giving me a hard time again. During this period, I asked my colleague who has been using Linux for a while, and he mentioned that some hardware is more suitable for Linux than others. I realized I couldn't waste more time; I can't work if I'm always fixing my work machine. So I was faced with two options: buy an expensive Mac or give Linux another shot. Knowing myself and how much I freaking love Linux. The simplicity, the minimalism, I was inclined to stick with it, despite the setbacks.
As my colleague had said: "Some laptops give you a hard time." That got me thinking. I did some research and discovered he was right. Some laptop manufacturers aren't great for Linux compatibility, and ASUS in particular doesn't play well with Linux.
So, how do I find the perfect laptop? The internet suggested Lenovo ThinkPads, System76, Dell XPS Developer Edition, and a few others. But except for ThinkPads, the other options weren't feasible since they don't ship to India. Excited, I went to the Lenovo website and placed an order. I was thrilled that they let you customize your order according to your liking. But this happiness didn't last long. Weeks went by without any updates, and then they canceled my order due to some internal error. They asked me to place the order again.
Frustrated, I went online to see what was going on with Lenovo in India. Turns out, their service was pretty bad, and I wasn't the only one whose order had been delayed or canceled. Back to square one, I started looking for another laptop.
Then I came across this great initiative by Ubuntu and laptop manufacturers: a list of laptops and computers verified to be used with Ubuntu (https://ubuntu.com/certified/laptops). It was a long and versatile list, including brands with good customer support in India, like Dell and HP.
After thorough research, I found an HP model with an AMD chip that suited my needs. It fit my budget and requirements, although it came with only 16 GB of RAM and I needed 32 GB. Luckily, upgrading the RAM was easy at their service center. I bought it, got rid of Windows, and installed Pop!_OS within hours of getting my hands on it.
Since I had bought a laptop that Ubuntu certified as compatible, everything seemed to work right out of the box. But every now and then, the date and time would inexplicably change. I did a lot of research and tried various fixes, but nothing worked. I even experimented with other distros and different versions of Ubuntu itself, yet the date and time kept resetting. It was incredibly frustrating because each time this happened, all my sessions would expire, forcing me to log back into everything. Here I was with a supposedly compatible laptop, as listed on Ubuntu’s site, yet I was still facing issues. I began to wonder if it might be a hardware problem, but the issue never occurred on Windows.
I hated the idea of going back to Windows, so before I gave up, I decided to try another distro this time, something not based on Debian. So I tried Fedora, and it was perfect. Finally, I had found a distro without any issues, and for the last year, I've been using Fedora without any problems.
I can’t express how much I love using Linux. it feels like home. But there’s a part of me that’s afraid of losing it. What if, next time, I can’t find a setup that works this well? Linux already has a relatively small user base, and I don't think its growing. I worry that manufacturers might stop prioritizing compatibility altogether. It’s a thought that makes me genuinely anxious because Linux means so much to me.
I wish more people would use Linux; yes, it has its challenges, but so does Windows, and Linux offers a cleaner, faster, and more customizable experience. It’s simple, minimal, and as you tailor it to your needs, you naturally get better at solving issues. Now, with AI tools, fixing any problem on Linux is easier than ever, and there are countless resources to help new users get started.
For instance, David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH), the creator of Ruby on Rails, has released a set of scripts called Omakase Ubuntu that make installing and setting up Ubuntu very easy. It's a fantastic resource for newcomers who want a smooth introduction to Linux. This wasn't available when I started, but it's great to see such tools now exist to help others.
The reason I'm sharing this is to encourage more people to try Linux, especially if you're on Windows. Please, give Linux a chance. Use AI to ask your questions or reach out in the comments. I've been using Linux for over 3 years now. Linux is not only a great OS option for developers but also using it daily builds familiarity with commands and structure, making server management easier and less intimidating.
Every time I power on my machine, I'm reminded of how grateful I am for Linux. I’m hopeful that companies like Framework, with their modular, repairable, Linux-compatible laptops, will eventually make their way to India. It would be incredible to have that option here.
Thank you for reading my story. If you're considering it, give Linux a try. You might just fall in love, like I did.
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