Video summary

I Don't Think I Can Go Back To Windows...

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

Summary (Technological concepts, features, and review verdicts)

Context & setup of the challenge

  • Elijah, Luke, and the speaker have been daily driving Linux for over a month, testing different Linux “flavors” (distros/desktop setups).
  • The episode ends with final verdicts on whether they’ll keep using Linux or return to Windows.

High-level thesis

  • The group argues that Linux desktop progress has accelerated enough that switching time is “closer today” than in earlier challenges.
  • They frame Linux as benefiting from competition pressure on Microsoft, noting that “speed” seems to be moving forward for Linux while Windows feels like it’s regressing.

What they liked about Linux (positive review highlights)

Performance / responsiveness

  • Linux felt snappier than Windows, potentially due to less bloat and fewer background checks.
  • Fast app launch made the system feel “brand new.”

Community support

  • They report strong help from the Linux community (e.g., Discord), especially for getting a good initial experience.

Gaming compatibility improved

  • They previously used ProtonDB to check compatibility, but stopped because most games “just worked.”
  • They reference Bazzite and discuss how external launchers fit into the Steam/Proton ecosystem.
  • Example: with Bazzite, external launcher setups helped, including an attempt to launch a new title (the details are joked about, but the core point is improved compatibility).

HDR / media output works

  • Kubuntu handled HDR playback/output for a TV scenario “with zero BS,” suggesting smoother handling of the display/HDR pipeline than expected.

Driver hassle reduced

  • On Linux, drivers and radios (Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth) largely “just work” when using a recent kernel.
  • Windows Update is described as frustrating: it feels like it updates “a decade ago,” with missing driver updates and unclear broader software update behavior.

Software installation & updating experience

  • Linux software management (e.g., Pacman) feels satisfying and transparent.
  • They also praise a built-in Linux store experience (e.g., Bazzite Store) as less ad-heavy than some Windows store approaches.

Using LLMs to learn / troubleshoot

  • They found LLMs helpful for solving Linux issues quickly compared to searching outdated forum posts.
  • Critique: LLMs can sometimes mislead or “gaslight”, and Linux’s fast-changing ecosystem makes older forum threads less reliable.

Where Linux still frustrates them (ongoing friction / complaints)

Habit-based UX differences

  • Users struggled with control expectations, including:
    • middle mouse button behaviors
    • friction around drag/select/paste interactions
  • Common workarounds involved:
    • changing browser settings
    • key rebinding

Unsupported / ambiguous failures

  • For Proton-based gaming, they couldn’t always determine whether errors were caused by:
    • the game,
    • their Linux distro/hardware,
    • or Proton’s compatibility layer.

Search quality on their distro

  • Bazzite search was described as surprisingly bad (though Windows search is also criticized as “absolute ass”).

Wayland display capture complexity (streaming/OBS)

  • Wayland display capture felt clunky.
  • OBS desktop capture sources reload and require re-selection, adding friction versus Windows’ smoother “start stream” flow.

Gaming blocker due to anti-cheat / developer choices

  • A major negative: Marathon didn’t work due to kernel-level anti-cheat not supported on their Linux environment (Bad Sight referenced).
  • They emphasize this is caused by game developers blocking Linux, not current Proton limitations.
  • They also mention toxicity: online responses appeared to minimize the issue rather than addressing compatibility concerns.

Community toxicity / gatekeeping

  • While praising the community overall, they note:
    • cliques/tribes
    • hostile replies when users criticize or make requests

Windows-side observations that influenced their decisions

  • Windows repeatedly intrudes with prompts and dark-pattern behavior (e.g., Edge/Xbox/OneDrive-style onboarding).
  • The Windows software ecosystem feels “crammed down” via the Store and prompts; they prefer Linux’s store approach.
  • For some workflows, Windows native tools still matter.

Final verdicts: who stays and who partially returns

Elijah

  • Plans to stay on Linux, but switches away from Bazzite to another distro (CachyOS mentioned).
  • Uses dual boot, keeping Windows mainly as a Steam launcher for games/editing needs that don’t work on Linux.
  • Marathon is cited as not working.

Luke

  • Also moving toward staying, with a mixed/dual approach.
  • Notes Linux is “ready” and compatibility is much better, but:
    • broad game compatibility still favors Windows, especially for social gaming and ecosystems centered on Windows-native hardware.
  • Mentions reviewer constraints: he often must use Windows-native apps to evaluate new hardware (example: Logitech peripheral apps).

The speaker

  • Claims Linux is now refreshing and they didn’t need to revert within the testing period.
  • Wants a middle ground: possibly debloating Windows, then distro-hopping later.
  • Hopes for Valve’s Nvidia-capable SteamOS for the best “console-like” PC experience.
  • Describes their current SteamOS home setup as especially console-like.

Sponsored product mention

  • Privacy: creates virtual cards that limit exposure when merchants are compromised, supports merchant locking, and subscription cards.

Main speakers / sources (as referenced in the subtitles)

  • Elijah
  • Luke
  • Linus (referred to by name; also a main host/speaker in the discussion)
  • Privacy.com (sponsor)

Original video