I Stopped Using Linux for a Year, Here’s What Brought Me Back
Key Takeaways:
Linux extends the life of your hardware, eliminating the need for frequent replacements.
Linux offers privacy with minimal tracking, providing peace of mind.
Linux gives you true ownership over software, empowering you to tweak interfaces and settings to an extent unmatched by any other platform.
For most of the past year, I took a break from Linux to experiment with using other form factors as my primary work device. First it was a BOOX Tab Ultra. Then it was a Moto Edge+ with Motorola’s desktop mode. Then it was a Galaxy Z Fold 5 with DeX. Here’s what draws me back to Linux time and time again.
Being Forced to Replace Things Sucks
You may have noticed that I have a thing for Android devices. I love the diverse types of Android hardware, and I manage fine using these newer form-factors to replace my PC.
Thing is, these devices tend to reach end-of-life pretty quickly. Google and Samsung may have announced seven years of support for their newest devices, but that doesn’t apply to their older phones. Most of us have Android phones and tablets that stop receiving updates after just a couple of years (if that).
You can use a conventional Windows PC or MacBook for years, but Linux manages to outdo both. In the Linux world, if your hardware is powerful enough to run the latest software, then you can install it. You only need to buy a new device when your machine breaks or is too slow to keep up. That’s the way I like it.
