Worried about compatibility issues (Windows -> Linux)

[Spreadsheet]

Hi all!
I am thinking of switching from Windows to Linux but I am worried about compatibility issues. I am not exactly sure which distro I will try but I was thinking of Fedora, Mint, or Ubuntu. I mainly use my computer to browse the web, write Python/Django code and do web development, and I guess that's about it.

Is there a way for me to check if I'd have any issues with any of these devices or components?

GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6950XT
Mouse: Logitech G703 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse
Keyboard: Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro TKL Wireless Gaming Keyboard
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U3423WE 34.1" WQHD Curved Screen WLED LCD Monitor - 3440 x 1440 resolution
Wireless Network Card: MediaTek, Inc. RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E 160MHz

 

[Tolkem]

You'll be fine. Can I recommend Nobara? https://nobaraproject.org/
You can download as many distros as you want, try from a live USB, and see how they perform with your hardware. The one that does best, that's the one you should pick.

 

[Condobloke]

G'day Spreadsheet, Welcome to Linux.org

Fedora, Mint, or Ubuntu

fedora or Mint are solid choices...I am not so keen on Ubuntu, but that is just me

write Python/Django code and do web development,

I do not have experience in those areas, but there will be members here who do.
Linux will likely be quicker than windows if that helps at all. Writing code should never present any problem at all, regardless of Distro

AGain no experience here, but I note you have gaming keyboard and mouse....I have read of people having mini dramas with some logitech gear. In mint and probably ubuntu there is an app in the Software Manager called Solaar... "Solaar is a Linux device manager for Logitech's Unifying Receiver wireless peripherals. It is able to pair/unpair devices to the receiver, and for some devices to read battery status."
Again...others will have greater experience here than I do.

And lastly.....by far the best way to find the answers to your question is to try the various distros

Download the .iso files to your pc...use Rufus to "make" a bootable usb stick

Boot your pc to that usb stick....that will load the mint/ubuntu/fedora into ram. (not all at once...one at a time)....that will give you the opportunity to test keyboard, mouse etc etc etc,....and get a general feel for each one.
Note: Any changes you make to the individual OS's will not survive a reboot/restart

Note Again:.Running any linux distro in Live mode...(which is what I have described above is safe....it will not harm your ram, and it will harm any other installation on the pc.
DO NOT double click the "install Linux Mint icon on the desktop. Doing that will start the full install process

Read Here: https://linux-tips.us/how-do-i-install-linux-a-general-guide/

 

[Spreadsheet]

Ok thanks @Tolkem and @Condobloke !
I think I am going to give Linux Mint a shot! I'll try it on a USB stick first and see how it goes.

 

[Brickwizard]

Modern laptops/desktops with a twin core or better CPU and 4gb or more of ram will most Linux distributions, depending on the age of your machine, you may be better off with a medium or lightweight distribution such as Mint LMDE6, Parrot home, MX-Linux, linux-lite [all of these run fine on both my HP desktop and Dell lappy] therre are others

your Wireless Network Card: MediaTek, Inc. RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E 160MHz may cause minor problems as they usualy use RTL chipsets,

https://www.linux.org/threads/how-do-i-try-linux.45037/

https://www.linux.org/threads/what-is-the-best-linux-distribution-which-should-i-use.43789/

https://www.linux.org/threads/new-to-linux-this-is-a-must-read.21578/

 

[wizardfromoz]

G'day @Spreadsheet from another DownUnderian and welcome to linux.org

While Rufus is fine for a single Linux distro .iso , might I suggest that if you have a USB stick 16 GB or larger, you might consider the Windows version of Ventoy as a burning solution. With that, you could place Ubuntu, Mint and Fedora on it and boot to the live versions of each to have a more easily remembered comparison?

A couple of links for Ventoy include but are not limited to

https://www.ventoy.net/en/index.html

https://www.ventoy.net/en/download.html (note the link suggested to sourceforge preferred)

Ventoy is cross-platform, so if you like and install a Linux distro, you can then get the Linux version of Ventoy and use it again from Linux. Our staff writer has an article on the howto so just ask.

While Nobara (suggested by friend @Tolkem above) is not listed on Ventoy's list of distros tested for, I would be surprised if it doesn't but can yest it for you if you ask.

I run maybe 8 Linux distros on my rig, so can usually fix up anything that breaks for me, lol.

Cheers

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz

 

[/dev/pie]

Hi all!
I am thinking of switching from Windows to Linux but I am worried about compatibility issues. I am not exactly sure which distro I will try but I was thinking of Fedora, Mint, or Ubuntu. I mainly use my computer to browse the web, write Python/Django code and do web development, and I guess that's about it.

Is there a way for me to check if I'd have any issues with any of these devices or components?

GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6950XT
Mouse: Logitech G703 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse
Keyboard: Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro TKL Wireless Gaming Keyboard
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U3423WE 34.1" WQHD Curved Screen WLED LCD Monitor - 3440 x 1440 resolution
Wireless Network Card: MediaTek, Inc. RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E 160MHz

Welcome to the Linux community!!! Fedora and Mint are solid choices for newcomers. The hardware you listed will work fine. You may have to find some software to change rgb colors for your keyboard and mouse.

When it comes to writing code you have a good amount of choices. Depending on the DE you choose you can use the software center to find those apps. I personally use PyCharm community edition for python. If you have anymore questions please ask I am always happy to help out.

 

[Spreadsheet]

Modern laptops/desktops with a twin core or better CPU and 4gb or more of ram will most Linux distributions, depending on the age of your machine, you may be better off with a medium or lightweight distribution such as Mint LMDE6, Parrot home, MX-Linux, linux-lite [all of these run fine on both my HP desktop and Dell lappy] therre are others

your Wireless Network Card: MediaTek, Inc. RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E 160MHz may cause minor problems as they usualy use RTL chipsets,

https://www.linux.org/threads/how-do-i-try-linux.45037/

https://www.linux.org/threads/what-is-the-best-linux-distribution-which-should-i-use.43789/

https://www.linux.org/threads/new-to-linux-this-is-a-must-read.21578/

Thanks. I'll connect with a cable first and see how it goes and then try wireless.

G'day @Spreadsheet from another DownUnderian and welcome to linux.org

While Rufus is fine for a single Linux distro .iso , might I suggest that if you have a USB stick 16 GB or larger, you might consider the Windows version of Ventoy as a burning solution. With that, you could place Ubuntu, Mint and Fedora on it and boot to the live versions of each to have a more easily remembered comparison?

A couple of links for Ventoy include but are not limited to

https://www.ventoy.net/en/index.html

https://www.ventoy.net/en/download.html (note the link suggested to sourceforge preferred)

Ventoy is cross-platform, so if you like and install a Linux distro, you can then get the Linux version of Ventoy and use it again from Linux. Our staff writer has an article on the howto so just ask.

While Nobara (suggested by friend @Tolkem above) is not listed on Ventoy's list of distros tested for, I would be surprised if it doesn't but can yest it for you if you ask.

I run maybe 8 Linux distros on my rig, so can usually fix up anything that breaks for me, lol.

Cheers

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz

I am using Balena Etcher. It seems great so far. Thanks.

Welcome to the Linux community!!! Fedora and Mint are solid choices for newcomers. The hardware you listed will work fine. You may have to find some software to change rgb colors for your keyboard and mouse.

When it comes to writing code you have a good amount of choices. Depending on the DE you choose you can use the software center to find those apps. I personally use PyCharm community edition for python. If you have anymore questions please ask I am always happy to help out.

Thanks! I've decided on Mint.

I was really wondering about my RGB keyboard. The only color I use is white, and I keep on medium brightness. I'll have to figure out how to manage it since I am assuming I won't be able to use Razer Synapse software on Linux. I'll probably run into a similar situation with managing the DPI for my Logitech mouse.

In terms of IDE, I really like to use VS Code so I'll stick with that.

 

[Condobloke]

You will find this in Linux Mint Software Manager.......

 

[Gloster]

I think I am going to give Linux Mint a shot! I'll try it on a USB stick first and see how it goes.

Try also SSH, from my side the best network protocol, with Linux Mint I had problems after an automatically upgrade. Linux Mint did work as SSH-Server, but not anymore as Client.
The probability to have after installation a working system will be given by Ubuntu Gnome (world wide most used). Therefore the HW-Compatibility will be improved by the most user.
The HW-Compatibility will be the first choice, second the performance + daily work.

If I have a new system to install, I try Debian at first (best performance).
Linux Mint + Ubuntu based on Debian.
Beneath, a Dual-Boot (Win + Linux) I never want miss.

 

[/dev/pie]

I was really wondering about my RGB keyboard. The only color I use is white, and I keep on medium brightness. I'll have to figure out how to manage it since I am assuming I won't be able to use Razer Synapse software on Linux. I'll probably run into a similar situation with managing the DPI for my Logitech mouse.

Condobloke found Razer Genie on the software center. If that doesnt work you can always resort to running a windows vm and using that to configure your m&kb. I had to do that for my mouse.

 

[wizardfromoz]

@Spreadsheet may I ask how much RAM you have?

 

[Darc Sceptor]

Hi all!
I am thinking of switching from Windows to Linux but I am worried about compatibility issues. I am not exactly sure which distro I will try but I was thinking of Fedora, Mint, or Ubuntu. I mainly use my computer to browse the web, write Python/Django code and do web development, and I guess that's about it.

Is there a way for me to check if I'd have any issues with any of these devices or components?

GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6950XT
Mouse: Logitech G703 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse
Keyboard: Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro TKL Wireless Gaming Keyboard
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U3423WE 34.1" WQHD Curved Screen WLED LCD Monitor - 3440 x 1440 resolution
Wireless Network Card: MediaTek, Inc. RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E 160MHz

I have found that AMD GPU's are well represented in Linux.
Mice and keyboard work very well but do not look for management software for the Razer.
Your monitor and network card should just work.

I use Mint and I find they do a great job of detecting all of your hardware. Even my printer got a specific driver installed.
With the work you do you will move to Linux and never really know you are there. But also Mint will be an easier transition to Linux than just about any other version of Linux. I have tried about six complete installs and eventually within a weeks time return to Mint.

 

[bob466]

Welcome to the Forum.

Linux Mint Cinnamon is an excellent choice...very user friendly and rock solid.

 

[MikeWalsh]

Hallo, @Spreadsheet.....and

to Linux.org!

With regard to 'Solaar' and Logitech mice, I use an MX Master 2. Solaar works great for pairing, and reporting on battery charge, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't work for my DPI settings. Unfortunately, where other mice I have locate the DPI button, Logitech have positioned the lock/release button for the scroll-wheel's electromagnetic free-wheel function; it's one thing Solaar doesn't handle (at least not with this particular mouse).

From what I understand, DPI handling (or not) depends entirely on what sensor information the mouse reports to the Solaar software. I've read reports that say it does work for the top-end MX Master 3.....which is rather beyond my budget. Fortunately, 'Puppy' lets you adjust this in the OS itself, courtesy of a small utility written by one of our members many years ago.....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

For coding /development, take a look at VSCodium; this is the Linux-based variant of the Windows VS Code editor, basically without all the Windows branding & telemetry crap. You can find this as an AppImage - a Linux 'portable' format - over at Github:-

Releases · VSCodium/vscodium

binary releases of VS Code without MS branding/telemetry/licensing - VSCodium/vscodium

github.com

It's updated pretty regularly, so it's easy to keep it current. Just d/l the AppImage, and put it anywhere you like (in your /home/user directory is a good place); make it executable ( a security practice; AppImages always come in 'inert' form, needing to be made executable before they'll run). Then you just click on the binary to launch it; these unpack themselves into the /tmp directory, and run from there for the duration of the session. There's always a slight delay while it unpacks & sets itself up prior to launching, but this is perfectly normal operation for any AppImage.

Others may have alternative suggestions.....one of the great things about Linux, because there's always a ton of different ways of doing anything here!


Mike.