Can Linux Replace Windows? A Real‑World Experience with Deepin

Linux Can Be Used?

I often encounter friends who still picture Linux as a dark command‑line only system; when I suggest trying it for development or everyday tasks, they are surprised and ask how to use it.

Linux Has a Graphical Interface

Deepin provides a modern desktop with a launcher, file manager, settings panel and other familiar components, illustrated by the screenshots below.

Supports Daily Development

Although editors like Vim/Emacs could handle everything, I prefer graphical IDEs. Common tools I use include:

Java: Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, Android Studio

Python: PyCharm, WingIDE

C++: KDevelop, Code::Blocks

PHP: PhpStorm

Frontend: Sublime Text, VS Code, WebStorm

Social Communication Is Fine

Deepin Store lets me install QQ, WeChat and other chat apps without trouble.

Can Linux Replace Windows?

My daily software list under Linux includes:

IDE: IntelliJ IDEA

Databases: DBeaver, Navicat, PL/SQL

Communication: TIM, WeChat

Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, 360

Office: WPS, Microsoft Office Web

Music: NetEase Cloud Music

Input Method: Sogou

Video: Deepin player, VLC

Editor: Sublime Text

Remote Control: TeamViewer, Sunflower, VNC, Remmina

Downloaders: Thunder, Aria2

Cloud Storage: Nutstore, Baidu Netdisk

Markdown: Typora, Zettlr

Terminal: Deepin’s built‑in terminal

Mind Mapping: XMind ZEN

FTP: FileZilla

PDF: FuXi Reader

Virtual Machines: VirtualBox, VMware

Games: Steam, Minecraft

Android Apps: xDroid

In two years I have not encountered a task that forced me back to Windows; a virtual machine is always an option.

Running Android Apps on Linux

xDroid enables Android applications to run directly on Linux without a virtual machine or emulator, offering good performance and low resource usage.

What Are Linux’s Advantages?

Switching systems is costly; Linux offers compelling benefits that may justify the move:

No need to choose installation drives; the system decides file locations.

No antivirus required.

No manual junk‑file cleaning.

No memory‑release tricks.

Open‑source and free, no activation needed.

No disk‑optimization tools.

No intrusive pop‑ups.

No forced updates.

Linux Is Elegant

Package managers like apt install or yum install handle software installation in a single command, unlike the multi‑step process on Windows.

Linux Is Efficient

Using the command line, Vimium for browsers, Albert launcher, and keyboard‑centric IDEs reduces mouse reliance and speeds up workflows.

Reduce Repetitive Work

Custom scripts automate monitoring, reminders, and routine tasks, freeing time for creative work.

Startup Speed

On my machine, both system boot and application launch (e.g., IDEA, Chrome) feel slightly faster than on Windows, though I have no precise benchmarks.

Memory Usage

Images omitted for brevity.

Linux Is Free

Only Linux provides the openness to modify system configuration, switch desktop environments, replace file managers, or even change the kernel via commands.

Change desktop environment with a simple command.

Transform Ubuntu to look like macOS using online guides.

Replace the default file manager with alternatives like Nautilus.

Swap terminals for a more customized experience.

These examples illustrate the level of control unavailable on Windows.

References

Eight beautiful Linux distributions – https://www.linuxprobe.com/eight-linux-distribution.html

Top 10 most beautiful Linux distros 2018 – https://www.cnbeta.com/articles/soft/695605.htm

Seven useful Linux distros for 2017 – https://www.linuxidc.com/Linux/2017-01/139414.htm

100 best Ubuntu apps (part 1) – https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/71833109

Deepin App Store – https://dstore-appstore.deepin.cn/china/index

Comprehensive Linux software list – http://www.sohu.com/a/238318823_100008608

Linux vs Windows advantages – https://blog.csdn.net/lmseo5hy/article/details/79279424