I Switched to Ubuntu After a Lifetime of Windows: My Honest Review
I’ve been using Windows my entire life. Not necessarily because I chose to, but because every computer I’ve ever bought came with it pre-installed. It’s the "default" for most of us. But recently, I decided to finally see what else was out there.
I decided to jump into the world of Linux. Specifically, I chose Ubuntu because it’s the most popular and well-known version. I didn’t just want to try it in a safe "virtual machine" environment; I wanted to install it on my actual hardware and see if I could use it for my real work—making tutorials, recording videos, and even gaming.
Here is how the journey went.
Getting Started: The Install
The installation was surprisingly familiar. I went to the official Ubuntu download page and grabbed the version for my Intel processor. Just like with Windows, I used a tool called Rufus to create a bootable USB drive.
I didn't want to delete Windows entirely yet, so I chose to "dual-boot." This lets me choose between Windows and Ubuntu every time I turn on my computer. After a quick restart and a fancy loading animation, I was in.
Making it Feel Like Home
Out of the box, Ubuntu looks very clean, but I wasn't a fan of the vertical dock on the left. I’m a creature of habit!
I used the Extension Manager to install an extension called "Dash to Panel." This instantly moved my taskbar to the bottom and gave me a system tray that felt much more like the Windows layout I'm used to. I even set my old Windows wallpaper, and suddenly, it felt like home.
The Professional Setup: OBS and Video Editing
The biggest test was my work setup. I use OBS Studio for all my recordings. It took about an hour of research and a little help from AI to get it exactly right, but I eventually managed to replicate my entire Windows setup.
One of my favorite "pro" tricks is running two versions of OBS at once—one for my webcam and one for the screen. On Ubuntu, this worked perfectly by installing one version from the "Flathub" and another from the standard Ubuntu source.
The Big Win: DaVinci Resolve
As a video editor, I rely on DaVinci Resolve. I was worried about this, but I downloaded the Linux version, and with a little help from the Gemini CLI (AI) to handle some terminal commands, it installed successfully.
The best part? My Windows Studio license key worked perfectly on Linux! Being able to edit high-end video on a free operating system felt like a massive win.
Apps and Gaming
What about the everyday stuff?
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Browsing: I installed Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge (yes, Edge is on Linux!).
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Photos: Since Photoshop isn't on Linux, I used Krita, which is a fantastic free alternative, and Photopea for quick web-based edits.
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Gaming: Minecraft was incredibly smooth—honestly, the full-screen animations felt smoother than they do on Windows. I also used the Heroic Games Launcher to access my Epic Games library. I played some Bus Simulator with zero stutters.
The Secret Weapon: AI Help
I’ll be honest: Linux still requires the "Terminal" (command line) sometimes. In the past, that would have made me give up. This time, I used a Gemini CLI agent. Whenever I ran into a permission error or a weird installation issue, I just asked the AI, and it gave me the exact command to fix it. It made the "scary" parts of Linux completely manageable.
The Verdict: 7/10
I’m giving Ubuntu a 7 out of 10.
If you're wondering if Windows is a 10/10, it's not. No operating system is perfect. But I was genuinely shocked at how smoothly everything went. Almost everything I tried to do just worked.
I’ve also made a video on this topic — you can watch it below.
Check out my other posts, I post useful tutorials and tech tips, maybe you will find something useful 😉.