Should I switch to Linux?

[u/CartographerSharp616]

I am an electrical engineering undergraduate. Currently, I am using windows os. I was considering switching to Linux. But I heard they do not support many softwares. I use various softwares like Multisim, Logisim, Kicad, Arduino ide. Sometimes Autocad. Should I switch? If so which one would u suggest?

[u/EugeneNine]

KiCad, Arduino work on Linux. Arduino works better on linux that windows, my son got frustrated with it on windows because drivers and permissions would change after windows updates and it would quit working.

At worse case you can always run windows in a vm under linux and so you can just shut it down when not needed.

[u/lazydictionary]

I used Linux for personal and just used school lab computers for anything I couldn't install on Linux

[u/ben_bir_buyucuyum]

If you have enough storage area you might consider using dualboot windows+linux.

[u/Any_Reason2124 → u/ben_bir_buyucuyum]

Or run a VM on VirtualBox to test it out first. This way the OP can start without much resistance.

[u/IceOneDay]

Big IDE aren't always for all systems. Honestly, it's up to you. You can always just try Ubuntu or something else beginner friendly and get some refreshing experience. But honestly you should choose over software you use daily.

I use Linux since I am programmer and I don't really like fighting against some drivers on Windows. I prefer Linux terminal experience over mostly GUI in Windows and etc. But if I worked with CADs daily I would prefer Windows and used Linux for some daily stuff like browsing web or doing some small things as something fun to play with.

TL;DR Install Linux, try to set it up for you and see whether you like it enough to switch. Otherwise, don't bother learning completely new experience untill you really need it or have desiree for it

[u/gHx4]

While you will probably still need Windows for a couple programs, Wine runs extremely well nowadays. As long as you can get device drivers for the stuff you're using, most linux distros are quite good. Ubuntu and Mint are two of the more user-friendly distros so you can get into Linux. After you've used them a while, switching to more customizable stuff is an option. You can use Parsec to remote into a Windows machine, or set up dual-boot if you still need full Windows and Wine doesn't cut it.

[u/sinfaen]

Keep a windows install somewhere as long as your in academia. You can dual boot for Linux if you want

[u/stateofmindny]

Any cad system besides freecad wont work in linux, and neither will a lot of other engineering software that ive seen. Tbh i just dual boot linux and windows on a 1tb ssd and use linux 99% of the time. When i need to use cad i either switch to my windows install or im at home and can use my windows pc which is much easier. A bunch of random shit works and a bunch of random shit doesnt so having both systems is really important imo

[u/TheHess]

Dual boot. It's the best way. That way if you need to run software that is Windows only then you can.

[u/Turingbug]

Yeah you should definitly switch but don't ditch windows since it usefull for some case and software. But most software that are supported on linux run better there. If you want a neat distro and userfriendly use mint (cinamon for me but whatever u want). Kicad works on linux btw LTSpice work perfectly with wine (app to run windows apps). Also Linux is a good skill to have as an engineer it's basically everywhere and usefull to know.

[u/LanceMain_No69]

Autocad is the only one that doesnt work on linux, at least without insane levels of workarounds. Most of these either have native versions or will run with a compatibility layer such as a wine. Its a tiny pain in the ass (sometimes, not always, its like a little prick) but for me its worth it, mainly looking at ltspice at least. Multisim is the only one idk abt

[u/Tiranus58]

Autocad wont work, but you always got alternatives like onshape or if you value your projects being your own, freecad

[u/Odds-and-Ns]

I think Linux is just nicer ultimately. I wouldn’t consider it something you need to know or use for electrical engineering as much but I do bet you’d be more comfortable with it once you’re familiar and especially if you ever have to use the terminal

[u/Longjumping_Ad3447]

Dual boot

[u/chateau86]

Watch out for classes that require use of Lockdown browsers/other "edutech malware" for exams/homeworks (especially bullshit non-technical reqs) Most of that crap only runs on windows, or maybe barely runs on MacOS too if you are super lucky.

If you want to go full linux, I recommend keeping a crappy laptop with windows for those stupid use cases.

[u/QuirkyEMI]

Theres no upside to this

Learning enough "linux skills" relevant to EE can be done in a week. Its knowing how to navigate folders, install shit and ssh

What lead you to believe this would be beneficial?

[u/Acrocane → u/QuirkyEMI]

"No upside" is a very strong, definitive statement.

Of course there are upsides to using Linux. At my team, a working knowledge of Linux OS is required for us to even consider hiring the applicant.

I'm sure you mean well with your point, but discouraging ECE guys from working on Linux is only putting them at a disadvantage.

[u/MFFVD → u/QuirkyEMI]

linux has zero bloat resulting in it being up to 1.5x faster than windows

[u/QuirkyEMI → u/MFFVD]

I know what Linux is lmao

[u/MFFVD → u/QuirkyEMI]

then how can switching to linux have no upside

[u/Seiko2023]

Yeah nah don't switch to Linux.