Is Windows any good? \ stacker news ~tech

2317 sats \ 21 comments \ @HardRich 31 Oct 2023 tech

So I'm a Mac guy, and it seems like they're slightly more safe than Windows (in terms of privacy)? However, for my work, the Lenovo Yoga 9i (dual screen) laptop seems really efficient. I know lots of folks on here seem to favor Linux, though.

Just curious, if you could get good work done using dual monitors but you travel a lot, would you use a Windows machine or would you use Linux or Mac with a portal monitor? I have a portal monitor but it's kind of a hassle to set up.

This is probably a super first-world problem.

I guess the question is: is Windows safe to use or should I just suck it up and try to go Linux with an external monitor?

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21 sats \ 0 replies \ @tolot 31 Oct 2023

I guess it really depends on your knowledge of the tools.

Gnu/Linux is in fact an umbrella term that includes a ton of different distributions, all with their pros and cons. Using dual-monitor with Ubuntu or an Ubuntu based distros is as easy as in Windows, particularly if you install the OS with a built-in Desktop Environment like Gnome or KDE.

The only issue you could have with Linux is related to battery life, especially if the hardware is not explicitly build for Linux.

Overall the issues of Windows are related to security and personalization. Windows really suchs in that regards.

Ps If you are used to MacOs systems, you are better off using linux because you'll find a lot of similarities in the workflow.

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @brandonsbytes 31 Oct 2023

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21 sats \ 0 replies \ @HardRich OP 31 Oct 2023

Oh, that's interesting. I'll have to look into that. Thanks! I wonder if you get more security/privacy if you run most things in the Linux mode. It would be cool if you could get the windows management of Windows but the tools and privacy of Linux. I've watched videos about the Lenovo and folks haven't been able to boot into Linux and take advantage of the two screens.

26 sats \ 0 replies \ @clr 31 Oct 2023

I use Linux on my laptop since >3 years ago, after having used a Macbook Pro for many years. My current laptop came with Windows preinstalled, and I decided to wipe it completely after reading the privacy policy (no dual boot, only Linux).

I haven't tested in depth dual monitor support, but it appears to work just fine. I don't know what is a portal monitor.

Maybe try first a live distro on USB to see if it works for you.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @brianh 1 Nov 2023

Honestly if you go with one of the more popular Linux distro it's not difficult to set up or use at all, and I've used Mac and Windows for most of my life.

Like someone suggested maybe try a Linux distro through a live environment booted from a USB or use a VMare sort of thing to play around with it and see if it makes sense.

I dual boot windows and Linux, but I'm only ever on windows for gaming. I do everything else on Linux

0 sats \ 5 replies \ @ryu 31 Oct 2023

Linux with a Windows VM as necessary, and a debloated Windows at that.

Accept no substitutes, Wine exempt.

0 sats \ 4 replies \ @Zepasta 31 Oct 2023

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0 sats \ 3 replies \ @Zepasta 1 Nov 2023

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12 sats \ 2 replies \ @ryu 1 Nov 2023

>nvidia >on linux

NGMI

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @Zepasta 1 Nov 2023

🥲🥲🥲 can you give more detail, im a complete noob with Linux

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @ryu 1 Nov 2023

The short of it is that AMD made it easier to optimize for Linux, due to not being fucking stingy with their drivers and even contributing code upstream for blobs and FOSS versions of their proprietary drivers.

NVIDIA only started giving a bit of a shit after their source code got leaked, and the driver code was so shit that most Linux users no longer had an interest in their "help."

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @tom335 31 Oct 2023

No.

6 sats \ 0 replies \ @HardRich OP 31 Oct 2023

Straight and to the point. :)

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @WeAreAllSatoshi 31 Oct 2023

is Windows safe to use or should I just suck it up and try to go Linux with an external monitor?

Safe from what?

22 sats \ 1 reply \ @HardRich OP 31 Oct 2023

I guess safe from hacks and in terms of privacy? I know Mac isn't great for privacy, but I thought I've heard that it's better than Windows. I believe I've heard that Linux is one of the most privacy focused (but also depends on the distro).

15 sats \ 0 replies \ @Zepasta 31 Oct 2023

Microsoft collects all your data through Windows.

Apple collects all your data through Mac.

Both are equally bad. Macs are maybe safer from virus, but you are stuck in Apple garden, while Windows gives you more freedom.

In the end, we all should switch to Linux, its getting better each year. Its my next big project, for 2024.

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @fm 31 Oct 2023

I have a portal monitor but it's kind of a hassle to set up.

feel free to elaborate

1 sat \ 0 replies \ @HardRich OP 31 Oct 2023

My bad. Yes, I meant portable monitor. I meant that I have one of those portable 17" monitors that you just plug into the USB-C port and it powers the monitor. So I really just carry the laptop, the monitor and the USB-C cable.

The Lenovo laptop in question has two monitors (where the keyboard is normally, is a screen instead), so it's less of a hassle to have dual monitors. Though, it's debatable if having to carry around a separate keyboard/mouse is easier.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @WeAreAllSatoshi 31 Oct 2023

I assumed OP meant portable but it was a persistent typo if so, so I’m not sure

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @fm 31 Oct 2023

my question was about the hassle since macs have a lot of different ports you can use.. also limitations, but for 1 more its not so hard

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @0301660c21 1 Nov 2023 freebie

Personally like