u/SteelSeats

Hi,

As it seems more and more people are in the year of 2026, I too am looking to move away from Windows and make the switch to Linux. I have a few questions about hardware compatibility, software workarounds and finding the right distro/distros for my setup.

The PC:

My main desktop PC is currently running Windows 11 and I primarily use it for general web browsing, light gaming and creative work. I play Minecraft (via Prism Launcher), Counter-Strike 2, ARK, Batman: Arkham series, MKWii through Dolphin and Escape Simulator. From what I understand, these should run fine natively or via Steam Proton.

My main photo editing software is Luminar Neo. I know Skylum doesn’t make a native Linux client. Has anyone successfully gotten Luminar Neo running smoothly via Wine/Proton/Lutris with GPU hardware acceleration intact? If not, what workflow bridges the gap (or is a VM/dual-boot the only real answer here)? If anyone has any idea how davinci resolve works on linux too that would be great but I'm not so worried about that.

I somewhat regularly use Microsoft SharePoint for work (though it's mostly as a hub for employees, nothing for patients). On ChromeOS, I had to use a third-party app to access it and other microsoft web-based apps, will accessing SharePoint via Chrome on Linux be pretty straightforward?

The Laptop:

I have an ASUS Chromebook Plus CX3402CBA (12th-Gen Intel) that I want to completely overwrite with Linux using MrChromebox’s UEFI Full ROM firmware. I’m looking for a distro that is lightweight, stable, and handles laptop power management/gestures out of the box. (It would also be great to know any potential pitfalls I may fall into as it's been a few years since I've tried running linux as you'll see below).

Surface Pro 6:

This is mostly my movie-device though it may end up being retired to become a server for minecraft at some point in the future. I tried Linux on a Surface Pro 6 in the past with mixed results; specifically, the keyboard frequently failed to connect or register, and sometime the touchscreen wouldn't work. Has anyone with a Surface Pro 6 solved this? Is the `linux-surface` custom kernel project the best fix for this now, and does it completely resolve the Type Cover detachment/re-attach issues?

Questions:

1. Which Distro(s): Would Linux Mint be best?
2. Luminar Neo: Any tips or should I bite the bullet and go for ON1 PhotoRAW or another alternative?
3. Surface Pro 6: What is the current state of daily-driving Linux on older microsoft devices?

PC Specs:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

GPU: AMD RX 580 (Looking to upgrade)

SSD: Crucial P2 3D NVMe PCIe M.2 1TB

SSD: Kingston A400 240GB

HDD: WD Blue 1TB (2012)

RAM: Unknown CL16-18-18 D4-3000 2x8GB

MBD: Gigabyte GA-A520 AORUS ELITE (Don't judge, I got a deal)

Hi,

As it seems more and more people are in the year of 2026, I too am looking to move away from Windows and make the switch to Linux. I have a few questions about hardware compatibility, software workarounds and finding the right distro/distros for my setup.

The PC:

My main desktop PC is currently running Windows 11 and I primarily use it for general web browsing, light gaming and creative work. I play Minecraft (via Prism Launcher), Counter-Strike 2, ARK, Batman: Arkham series, MKWii through Dolphin and Escape Simulator. From what I understand, these should run fine natively or via Steam Proton.

My main photo editing software is Luminar Neo. I know Skylum doesn’t make a native Linux client. Has anyone successfully gotten Luminar Neo running smoothly via Wine/Proton/Lutris with GPU hardware acceleration intact? If not, what workflow bridges the gap (or is a VM/dual-boot the only real answer here)? If anyone has any idea how davinci resolve works on linux too that would be great but I'm not so worried about that.

I somewhat regularly use Microsoft SharePoint for work (though it's mostly as a hub for employees, nothing for patients). On ChromeOS, I had to use a third-party app to access it and other microsoft web-based apps, will accessing SharePoint via Chrome on Linux be pretty straightforward?

The Laptop:

I have an ASUS Chromebook Plus CX3402CBA (12th-Gen Intel) that I want to completely overwrite with Linux using MrChromebox’s UEFI Full ROM firmware. I’m looking for a distro that is lightweight, stable, and handles laptop power management/gestures out of the box. (It would also be great to know any potential pitfalls I may fall into as it's been a few years since I've tried running linux as you'll see below).

Surface Pro 6:

This is mostly my movie-device though it may end up being retired to become a server for minecraft at some point in the future. I tried Linux on a Surface Pro 6 in the past with mixed results; specifically, the keyboard frequently failed to connect or register, and sometime the touchscreen wouldn't work. Has anyone with a Surface Pro 6 solved this? Is the linux-surface custom kernel project the best fix for this now, and does it completely resolve the Type Cover detachment/re-attach issues?

Questions:

1. Which Distro(s): Would Linux Mint be best?
2. Luminar Neo: Any tips or should I bite the bullet and go for ON1 PhotoRAW or another alternative?
3. Surface Pro 6: What is the current state of daily-driving Linux on older microsoft devices?

PC Specs:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

GPU: AMD RX 580 (Looking to upgrade)

SSD: Crucial P2 3D NVMe PCIe M.2 1TB

SSD: Kingston A400 240GB

HDD: WD Blue 1TB (2012)

RAM: Unknown CL16-18-18 D4-3000 2x8GB

MBD: Gigabyte GA-A520 AORUS ELITE (Don't judge, I got a deal)

Hey there,

I'm a first year graduate podiatrist in Australia, specialising in msk and sports.

I'm curious if anyone has ever gone from podiatry to physio and if so, what they thought. I'd love to be able to work in a clinic with gait analysis, gym, and orthotics lab primarily because my main joys of work are biomechanics and strength training with a dash of physiology.

I did sport science in undergrad so know a fair bit about how the body works and some generic anatomy that I try to keep up to date with even in the upper body. I don't think I'd be missing the routine skin and nail appointments, our clinic is looking to move away from those anyway since we're sports-focused.

I'm not looking to make a change any time soon, just looking for if anyone has experience in these decisions they'd like to share.

Is the diversity too much for some people? Would the study be impossible with work at the same time?

I'll be looking to shadow some physios soon but I already work with heaps and worked closely with quite a few when I was at a footy club while studying podiatry.

Any advice or stories would be greatly appreciated!