Why Linux Isn’t for Everyone—But It Could Be Perfect for You

Linux is a family of open-source operating systems based on the Linux kernel. It was first released in 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Unlike the typical operating systems provided by Microsoft or Apple, Linux offers a fundamentally different experience. While these companies provide a locked-down version of their operating systems designed, as they claim, for ease of use, Linux provides a more open and customizable alternative. And to be honest, this level of customizability brings me to my first point: Why Linux isn’t for everyone.

So, Why is Linux not for everyone?

Most people in the Linux community love recommending Linux to everyone—friends, parents, and even probably grandparents. I used to be one of them, and honestly, I can’t blame us; it all comes from a genuine love for Linux. However, over time, I’ve changed my perspective and come to the realization that Linux might not be the perfect fit for everyone.

Where’s My Excel? The Software Struggle on Linux

One of the biggest reasons users are pushed away from Linux and gravitate toward Windows is the lack of popular software on Linux. With Windows commanding about 73% of the desktop operating system market share and Linux holding just 4%, it’s no surprise that most software developers focus on catering to the massive Windows audience. As a result, many popular programs are either entirely absent from Linux or exist in unstable, experimental forms.

There are workarounds for this. Linux offers open-source alternatives for almost every popular app—for instance, LibreOffice as a replacement for Microsoft Office or Krita as an alternative to Photoshop. While these alternatives often get the job done, they tend to lack many of the features and polish their original counterparts offer. Alternatively, you can technically run your favorite apps, like Microsoft Office, on Linux using tools like Wine. However, setting this up requires effort, and even then, the results may not always be stable or reliable.

And if you’re into gaming, Windows is probably the better choice for you, as gaming on Linux can still feel like a bit of a nightmare.

Do I need to know how to code to install Linux?

If you’ve ever recommended Linux to someone non-technical who has at least heard of it, you’ve probably been asked this question. I’ve been asked it multiple times, and my answer has always been, "Of course not."

Looking at it again, I don’t think they were really asking if they have to know programming to install Linux. The thing is, even when I’m navigating through the terminal or making minor configuration changes, non-technical people often assume it’s all coding.

If you rephrase the question to, "Should I learn the basics about my OS and have at least some knowledge of my terminal?" then the answer would definitely be yes. While it's true that Linux distros like Pop!_OS have become much more user-friendly, allowing even non-technical users to use Linux without ever touching the terminal or config files, this can undermine one of the core reasons to use Linux—its flexibility and control.

If you're using Linux as your daily driver, you're bound to run into issues more often than you would on a Windows machine. The fixes may be easier to find, but you'll need to know where to look and how to approach them. Being comfortable with the basics of your OS and terminal will certainly make your experience smoother.

So, my suggestion is this: If you’re using your computer simply as a tool to get office work done and don’t plan to do much else with that metal brick, you’ll probably not enjoy your time with Linux.

Who is Linux even for?

At this point, you might be thinking, "Linux sounds like a mess, why would anyone even use it?" Well, this is where we get to the good side of Linux.

As mentioned countless times already, Linux offers unparalleled customizability. If you’re a bit of a nerd and decide to install something like Arch Linux, you can build your operating system from the ground up. You get to choose your own display managers, window managers, desktop environments, and more. This not only lets you make your system truly your own, but it also gives you a deeper understanding of how your operating system works under the hood.

So, does that mean Linux is only for the "nerdy" types? Not at all. Even if you don’t want to set up everything yourself, you can simply choose a distro like Linux Mint, or Pop!_OS and get started right away. This is the true power of Linux: you can tailor it to your liking, whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just someone looking for a reliable, customizable system. With Windows pushing Bing everywhere and bloating their system with countless useless apps, this might be the perfect time to give Linux a try. It offers a cleaner, more efficient experience without the unnecessary extras.

Now, if you're a programmer, it's a whole different story, and learning Linux might actually be very necessary. Most of the time, when you need to SSH into a server, it’s likely running Linux. Having at least a basic understanding of its file system and terminal will give you an edge over the competition. Additionally, many libraries for programming languages are sometimes released on Linux first, even before Windows. So, I’d suggest you at least familiarize yourself with Linux, so you're ready to switch to it whenever needed.

In the end, if you're not just using your computer for work and actually enjoy tinkering with your "metal box," or if you're tired of the bloated nature of Windows, give Linux a try. Not because it’s the easiest option, but because it’s worth it.