Jason, your efforts and tutorials are much appreciated. I will likely become a paid subscriber very soon, but some questions first. Security and freedom are my main drivers for considering linux, but now there is the additional motivator of having a PC which will not support Win11, so I'll soon be missing updates on the abandoned older win platform.
For backing up everything prior to the switch, is it reasonable to rely on a mostly unused second SSD, rather than cloud? Would I need to take it offline or unplug it as a precaution?
Will linux mint have any problems with my old HP Pavilion machine? (i7-2600, 3.4GHz, 16GB RAM) I recently retired from IT (database specialty), so is there a better choice for me than mint?
Separately, I would like to move to a phone sans google. I like the idea of grapheneOS with a Proton suite, but prior to switching phones I'd like to try it on a tablet, and the supported Pixel tablet 1 looks like it is being abandoned, or maybe v3 will be aimed at smart devices mostly. What alternative path do you suggest? I am good with an eventual Pixel phone on grapheneOS but not yet.
Really appreciate that—and yeah, you’re asking all the right questions.
Backing up to a second SSD is totally fine. If it’s mostly unused and you keep it unplugged during the Linux install, you’re good. That’s actually how I did it myself.
One thing you will need to make sure you do is decrypt it before you make the switch as you not be able too once moving over to Linux depending on the type of SSD and the encryption method used.
Your HP should handle Mint without a problem. With your background, you might end up preferring something like MX Linux or the XFCE version of Mint—it’s a bit lighter and snappier—but regular Mint is a great place to start.
GrapheneOS doesn’t support tablets, and probably never will. If you want to get a feel for a Google-free experience before switching phones, maybe try CalyxOS on a spare tablet. Not as secure as Graphene, but good for testing. When you’re ready, a Pixel 6a or 7 with Graphene and Proton apps is a killer combo.
Happy to help you through any of it. And would love to have you become a Firewall Insider whenever you’re ready. There you’ll have access to my Firewall Report app and as an IT professional I think you’ll find a lot of value there.
Thanks for the thorough response, and I will look into a few linux options. I admit to being clueless on the ssd encryption, too.
One note - GrapheneOS does support the one and only Pixel tablet, but the tablet 2 version was canceled and the proposed tablet 3 version is in limbo, so I don't know if I want to invest time, effort and money into a dead end tablet. I would like a tablet beyond just trying things out, to have a bigger portable screen, so maybe I have to consider a budget, lightweight linux laptop (?)
So I think mint is most beginner friendly. It’s simple not a lot of extra stuff going on. Great to get you started. The cool thing is you can always change later using the same steps.
I moved from Windoze to Linux over 20 years ago ... I never looked back.
I started with Mandriva, moved to Ubuntu, and finally settled on Arch. I wouldn't recommend Arch for a "newbie". Arch installation and configuration is not for the meek or impatient. Mint, Jason's recommendation, is a good distro to start with.
The reason I mention Arch at all is that you may, eventually, want to move to a Linux distro that offers you more configuration control, interface customization, and SUPPORT.
Software (in)compatibility across the Windoze Linux barrier has never been an issue for me. I've always managed to find Linux programs that do the same things as Windoze programs, or better! The only real barrier is whether or not you are willing to switch to an alternative.
At 70 years old, and after 20 years on Linux, I am still living the adventure ... and loving it!
The main thing holding me back from considering this is compatibility with software. As a photographer, the software I use most is Affinity Photo, along with DxO Nik Collection plugins. If they don't work with Linux, then it's completely off the table.
Had an older HP with Windows on it. Converted to Ubuntu. Use mostly to display photographs for reference for my watercolor painting. Sure best throwing it away, or having to buy another computer for my art related stuff. Great article!
Thank you for putting this out. Yes, it's a great How-to. You should also touch on the risks, or better yet, the risks you do not have when running Linux vs. Windows. Everything has its place. I only use Linux at home and at work, but some tasks can't be changed that easily. As a professional Photographer, there is just no replacement for Photoshop.
Great how-to, Jason! Longtime Linux user here. Fedora (KDE Spin) is my daily driver outside of work where I have to use Windows.
I have switched several people to Linux over the last few years, particularly retirees (or nearly there). Initially, Mint was my go-to as well since most were switching from EOL Windows XP, but I've recently found more success with Kubuntu since most are coming from Win7 or later.
Jason, your efforts and tutorials are much appreciated. I will likely become a paid subscriber very soon, but some questions first. Security and freedom are my main drivers for considering linux, but now there is the additional motivator of having a PC which will not support Win11, so I'll soon be missing updates on the abandoned older win platform.
For backing up everything prior to the switch, is it reasonable to rely on a mostly unused second SSD, rather than cloud? Would I need to take it offline or unplug it as a precaution?
Will linux mint have any problems with my old HP Pavilion machine? (i7-2600, 3.4GHz, 16GB RAM) I recently retired from IT (database specialty), so is there a better choice for me than mint?
Separately, I would like to move to a phone sans google. I like the idea of grapheneOS with a Proton suite, but prior to switching phones I'd like to try it on a tablet, and the supported Pixel tablet 1 looks like it is being abandoned, or maybe v3 will be aimed at smart devices mostly. What alternative path do you suggest? I am good with an eventual Pixel phone on grapheneOS but not yet.
Thank you.
Really appreciate that—and yeah, you’re asking all the right questions.
Backing up to a second SSD is totally fine. If it’s mostly unused and you keep it unplugged during the Linux install, you’re good. That’s actually how I did it myself.
One thing you will need to make sure you do is decrypt it before you make the switch as you not be able too once moving over to Linux depending on the type of SSD and the encryption method used.
Your HP should handle Mint without a problem. With your background, you might end up preferring something like MX Linux or the XFCE version of Mint—it’s a bit lighter and snappier—but regular Mint is a great place to start.
GrapheneOS doesn’t support tablets, and probably never will. If you want to get a feel for a Google-free experience before switching phones, maybe try CalyxOS on a spare tablet. Not as secure as Graphene, but good for testing. When you’re ready, a Pixel 6a or 7 with Graphene and Proton apps is a killer combo.
Happy to help you through any of it. And would love to have you become a Firewall Insider whenever you’re ready. There you’ll have access to my Firewall Report app and as an IT professional I think you’ll find a lot of value there.
Thanks for the thorough response, and I will look into a few linux options. I admit to being clueless on the ssd encryption, too.
One note - GrapheneOS does support the one and only Pixel tablet, but the tablet 2 version was canceled and the proposed tablet 3 version is in limbo, so I don't know if I want to invest time, effort and money into a dead end tablet. I would like a tablet beyond just trying things out, to have a bigger portable screen, so maybe I have to consider a budget, lightweight linux laptop (?)
Thank you for this
You’re welcome! Hope you share it with your network
In your opinion for Linux novice.. Ubuntu or mint?
So I think mint is most beginner friendly. It’s simple not a lot of extra stuff going on. Great to get you started. The cool thing is you can always change later using the same steps.
I moved from Windoze to Linux over 20 years ago ... I never looked back.
I started with Mandriva, moved to Ubuntu, and finally settled on Arch. I wouldn't recommend Arch for a "newbie". Arch installation and configuration is not for the meek or impatient. Mint, Jason's recommendation, is a good distro to start with.
The reason I mention Arch at all is that you may, eventually, want to move to a Linux distro that offers you more configuration control, interface customization, and SUPPORT.
Software (in)compatibility across the Windoze Linux barrier has never been an issue for me. I've always managed to find Linux programs that do the same things as Windoze programs, or better! The only real barrier is whether or not you are willing to switch to an alternative.
At 70 years old, and after 20 years on Linux, I am still living the adventure ... and loving it!
Excellent guide for beginners.
Thanks for putting this together Jason.
For anyone reading this and who hasn't switched to a Linux OS yet, it is TIME. You are out of options.
No more excuses.
The main thing holding me back from considering this is compatibility with software. As a photographer, the software I use most is Affinity Photo, along with DxO Nik Collection plugins. If they don't work with Linux, then it's completely off the table.
Had an older HP with Windows on it. Converted to Ubuntu. Use mostly to display photographs for reference for my watercolor painting. Sure best throwing it away, or having to buy another computer for my art related stuff. Great article!
Retirement in a year - this will be my first task! Awesome how-to. Do we still need to run Malwarebytes etc?
Malwarebytes does not work on Linux. There are antivirus, antimalware tools and other security necessities that I detail in the Linux Security Guide
Thank you for putting this out. Yes, it's a great How-to. You should also touch on the risks, or better yet, the risks you do not have when running Linux vs. Windows. Everything has its place. I only use Linux at home and at work, but some tasks can't be changed that easily. As a professional Photographer, there is just no replacement for Photoshop.
Have you tried Gimp, Darktable and Inkscape?
Yes very good point
Great how-to, Jason! Longtime Linux user here. Fedora (KDE Spin) is my daily driver outside of work where I have to use Windows.
I have switched several people to Linux over the last few years, particularly retirees (or nearly there). Initially, Mint was my go-to as well since most were switching from EOL Windows XP, but I've recently found more success with Kubuntu since most are coming from Win7 or later.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I replaced windows with Ubuntu for personal use. My last windows was 7. Any Linux is better than the Dark Lord of Redmond.