Newbies need to be directed to a specific version ( ''distro'' ) or they see the list of dozens of Linux versions to choose from and give up.
95%+ of people want their computer to ''just work''. Linux can be a ''just build your own operating system bro'' for experts, or a ''I installed it and I can play my Steam games'' plug-and-play thing.
Short answer for a gaming PC :
Linux Bazzite, with KDE Plasma for a familiar desktop environment, in Desktop mode.
Bazzite is more locked-down than most Linux versions, so you are mostly prevented from accidentally fucking-up your system.
Games with kernel-level spyware ''anti-cheat'' won't work on Linux for security reasons ( the same reasons kernel-level anti-cheat should not be a thing allowed on Windows either...).
Old games that still run on Windows 11 might have to be run in a virtual machine on Linux.
I have not had the chance to try it ( it's for my next computer ), but it seems the most newbie-friedly pick.
Newbies need to be directed to a specific version ( ''distro'' ) or they see the list of dozens of Linux versions to choose from and give up.
95%+ of people want their computer to ''just work''. Linux can be a ''just build your own operating system bro'' for experts, or a ''I installed it and I can play my Steam games'' plug-and-play thing.
Short answer for a gaming PC : Linux Bazzite, with KDE Plasma for a familiar desktop environment, in Desktop mode.
Bazzite is more locked-down than most Linux versions, so you are mostly prevented from accidentally fucking-up your system.
Games with kernel-level spyware ''anti-cheat'' won't work on Linux for security reasons ( the same reasons kernel-level anti-cheat should not be a thing allowed on Windows either...).
Old games that still run on Windows 11 might have to be run in a virtual machine on Linux.
I have not had the chance to try it ( it's for my next computer ), but it seems the most newbie-friedly pick.