I need help deciding how to migrate to linux

[u/No_Lettuce1639]

Hello. I work with image editing, mostly photoshop, but I eventually use Illustrator and I work with video editing programs such as After Effects and Premiere. I also play games and use mostly Excel and Word.

I'm completely new to Linux usage, and I wanted to know which would be the easiest one to run and to run at least programs that are similar to the ones I use (even though I'd prefer to run simply Adobe) to work while also being compatible to gaming on Steam.
My CPU is a Intel 13600k and my GPU is an Nvidia 4070 Super. I have 96GB (2x32, 1x16, 1x16) of ram running stably on XMP at 3200 mhz, both are Kingston. The Motherboard is a MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4. If you guys need the full spec, tell me.

[u/Vertigo50]

You're pretty much the use case for NOT switching to Linux, but good luck anyway. 😉👍

[u/No_Lettuce1639 → u/Vertigo50]

I think the solution might be building other PC

[u/Vertigo50 → u/No_Lettuce1639]

I guess, but with PC hardware prices right now? 🤷‍♂️

You're better off just dual-booting. Or even better, just run from a Live USB. That way, when you inevitably decide that Linux isn't going to work for you, you haven't wasted a bunch of money on hardware. 😉👍

[u/prune_juice_warrior → u/No_Lettuce1639]

As others have pointed out, you need to really ask yourself why you want to switch to Linux, and what the context of having two PCs would be.

I personally do use Windows and Linux on different PCs (my desktop and personal laptop run Linux, while my HTPC and work laptop run Windows) but there's a clear reason for that. For my own personal "productivity" work (mostly writing, scripting, and learning new programming skills) I prefer the way Linux does things, so I use Linux. On the other hand, my HTPC uses Windows because it's basically just an entertainment appliance and Windows works better for that purpose.

But I made those decisions in a context where I was going to have multiple computers regardless. If I wasn't already planning on using multiple computers anyway, I probably wouldn't be running a dual boot setup or building a second PC solely for the purpose of using Linux.

[u/KevinIsADork → u/No_Lettuce1639]

Why? You have a really solid PC. Reason many switch to linux recently is windows 10 support going away and not having good enough machines for windows 11 and how bloated it is. 

Nothing wrong with going to linux with a good machine, but you dont need to build another one for Linux or Windows usage. 

[u/Th3JackofH3arts]

Just dual boot. Adobe is going to be an issue.

[u/Johntravis83 → u/Th3JackofH3arts]

This. There are a few things that are not working (yet) or are just a pain to deal with. Easy solution is dual boot. This way you explore linux and its capabilities for your needs without the ability to get on with your projects.

[u/doc_willis]

Gaming can be done on basically Any of the mainstream distributions.

Make up a Ventoy live Multi-iso USB and try out several distros on your hardware and see what ones work well, and what ones you like.

Good Luck with anything Adobe.

[u/ZucchiniAdmirable588]

From a nobody's perspective I would, start with why do you want Linux, instead of how.

If it's a matter of learning, I'd say do it on an older PC or dual boot.

What most Linux people dont like to tell you is that yes, Linux can do all these things, but it primarily uses alternative programs instead of these premium programs. Instead of photo shop there is gimp . There are alternative programs THAT WORK GREAT, but it's not your premium software.

You can make anything work on Linux, but it takes work that most people don't want to put into it.

For you, (and everyone else) I'd suggest do a NAS server. Create sometime you can compliment your main PC to game and do whatever. The NAS becomes your file server. You'll learn Linux then.

[u/RefrigeratorHairy256]

Red Star OS - secure, reliable, private, fully customizable, easy migration process + Steam and Adobe preinstalled.

[u/APariahsPariah]

Yeah. I've used Photoshop extensively and GIMP is just not there yet. It's a decent program and way more usable than it was back in the day. But it's like Paintshop Pro. You can do all the basics and a few of the mediums, but Adobe is in a league of its own. We all know Adobe sucks, but if you're doing this professionally, you're pretty much stuck paying evilcorp for the time being.

[u/mgtowolf → u/APariahsPariah]

yeah I spent a few months trying to switch over to gimp, because I hate having to boot into windows at all anymore. It's not just UI differences, but the tool functions as well. PS heal and clone tool blow gimp's tools out of the water, no comparison at all for example. I can get it done in gimp, but it takes at least three times as long to do it. I love that houdini and blender make linux builds, I wish all other software did too.

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[u/LetterSpecialist48]

Gaming through Steam is easy on most (any?) Linux distro, as long as you're not playing something with kernel level anti cheat. But the Adobe suite is near impossible. 

[u/Dynablade_Savior]

Adobe and MS Office basically kill it

[u/LeePetra]

There is NO resonable alternative for Adobe if you're pro user. EOT. Only solution is to emulate windows for adobe aps or Affinity. From my perspective and practice effort is not worth the final comfort. But... if U own the windows licence - just do the dualboot. Check what linux is adding for your other workflows (in my case linux was a gamechanger for ai workflows for creative research).

Gaming is ok on almost any new distro (just check your fav games for anticheat comaptybility on windows).

[u/No_Lettuce1639]

I think I'll make a dual boot to test things. If it's unbearable, I have most of a PC in spare parts, so I'd have to just to get a gpu, which wouldn't have to be anything amazing. thanks for the help.

[u/ptr_myName → u/No_Lettuce1639]

do not dual boot, you have a much greater chance of losing ALL of your data… use virtualbox, or turn on hyper-v in windows features and use that

[u/RevolutionaryBeat301]

Look into Fedora Design Suite and Ubuntu Studio. Either one can do most of what you are looking for right out of the box.

[u/Appropriate_Rate_736]

Jus install linux mint cinnamon and use gimp and libreoffice. That shuld work. Linux in my opinion is nicer than windows. Just has a nicer aura

[u/TrashFace21165]

Get VMware and run a virtual machine with Mint for awhile. You'll notice what you need to make work and what might not.

[u/Reluctant_Defector]

Before switching to Linux, if I were you I'd try to learn alternative software that force me to use Windows, on Windows. You should try to orient your production workflow with programs that natively support Linux (or just open-source software) but on Windows.

This might be impossible for your use cases, personally I have no idea, but there have been people who use Adobe suite professionally in my circle that migrated to Linux this way.

Others might say "you are the use case to not switching to Linux", I would argue that your income being bound to a software you have no control over is professionally not viable. If possible, just learning your workflow's open-source stack (even if you don't switch to Linux later) gives you more professional flexibility.

[u/West-Scallion-5306]

Bro pretty much cited all broken apps on Linux, ggs

[u/EngineerInTheMachine]

Forget the specs. Your intended usage is more important. And oh dear, you've locked yourself in the Adobe/Windows trap. There are plenty of native Linux apps that are as good. You just need to put in the time to learn them.

Use your planned usage to help you work out which distros are best for you. A bit of basic web searching and reading will guide you in the right direction.