Should you install Linux on a gaming laptop?
Linux is everywhere these days, and Linux gamers have never had more games to play than they do right now. But is Linux really well suited for a gaming laptop? One redditor asked about it on the Linux subreddit and got some interesting answers from his fellow Linux users.
Hentaichrist asked his question about Linux and a gaming laptop:
I'm getting a new laptop (Lenovo y70) in a couple days. I'm a really big gamer and that's the bulk of what I'll be using it for. I'm weary of windows 10 though and I don't really prefer it over win7. Would it be worth it to use Linux and would my games be compatible? Also what version should I use if I were to.
His fellow redditors responded with their thoughts about Linux and gaming laptops:
CaptainRobotnik: "I don't think Linux is particularly well suited for your use case.... You could try disabling Nvidia Optimus and install an easy distro like Ubuntu with the proprietary Nvidia drivers, but once you start trying to install your Windows games via WINE you're going to have a bad time."
Swordgeek: "You'll have to boot into Windows for almost all of your games."
Derpypeasant: "If you are seriously into gaming, Linux is not going to be for you, unless you like what is on the Steam-Linux list. I honestly don't see the point in Linux unless you are interested in open-source software or software freedom."
Jonne: "If I cared enough about gaming, I'd dual-boot. Have Windows be the games part, do all your other stuff in Linux."
Danaholic86: "Dual boot unbuntu on it. Gaming on Linux is a rather..... disappointing..... experience as of now."
Prozaker: "I also have the same brand of computer and I had to double boot from the start. I like games and I know that Linux is not the best gaming platform at the moment.
I have windows 8 and Xubuntu running on the same laptop one for games and the other one is for work and I really like how it plays out. After 5 I just reboot and log on into Windows."
BulletDust: "On the contrary I find Linux gaming support to be increasing in leaps and bounds. Running Nvidia hardware and propiratry drivers I'm loving playing UT4 Alpha, TF2, Portal 2, Torchlight II, CS:GO and many others. I'm actually experiencing better performance under Linux than I was under Windows.
Honestly, I never thought I'd see the day!
I have a very capable Windows 10 rig here, all it does if play BF4...."
Rcboy147: "You are asking an entire subreddit that loves linux, the question would be YES!
But I think in your case dual-booting Windows 7 is your best bet, you can get things working well in linux but it does take time and 95% of the time you will not get it working the way you want it to.
I currently dual boot Windows 7 and Linux mint, and find it easy to switch because SSD time reboot doesn't take that long. it is sometimes a pain wanting to switch to do ONE thing but I normally have a linux laptop around that I can do my shit on while needing to be on windows.
I also recommend using an old laptop that no-one uses anymore and install linux on something like that so you can learn and have a play around with it to see if you like it."
Adevland: "Get linux mint. You can easily switch between the integrated & dedicated gpus. Depending on what games you play you might actually be surprised to see how many of them have native linux ports. Currently 6/10 top played games on steam work on linux. And whatever you do don't use wine. You will end up being frustrated and blame it on linux (although it's not it's fault)."
Uph: "I'd recommend Ubuntu unless you have a specific reason to use something else. It's the most popular option which makes support easy. We don't know what games you play, but you can see for yourself on https://appdb.winehq.org/ or see if the game is available for GNU/Linux on Steam. If your games aren't compatible you could always dual boot."