So I have a situation. I really want to switch to Linux as my main gaming/production OS but need the Adobe suite as I am a graphic designer. Adobe is the golden standard for this industry (and likely to always be) so while Gimp and Inkscape might work, they are not feasible for my career. I also know that there will be situations where games just don’t run well or at all on Linux.
Dualbooting works but is not really worth it for me as I would have to stop what I’m doing and restart my PC. I heard that you can set up a single GPU passthrough for games and software but it seems complicated. How difficult would that be to set up for a new user to Linux? I would consider myself a tech savvy person but I know very little about the ins and outs of Linux. I have a massive GPU (XFX RX 6900 XT) with a big support bracket that covers the second PCIE slot so buying another GPU isn’t really feasible either.
I do have an Unraid server with decent specs that I use for a hosting Minecraft servers and Jellyfin so setting up a VM on that might be a good option.
What would you guys recommend me to do?
I’d recommend you don’t switch to Linux if your livelihood depends on Windows-specific software.
You could set it up to autostart a Linux VM which you then use for everything except games and Adobe.
I’m also wondering why you work on the same PC you game with. I’d want to use a dedicated machine just for security and to keep my private life and work life separate.
I use Arch, by the way. On all my private machines. My work PC runs Windows, because it needs to.
I second this, I also use arch (btw) on all of my personal computers, gaming rig, media machines; But when it comes to my work machine, it also runs Windows because it needs to.
I love Linux and want it to prosper. Hopefully one day windows specific software like that won’t be such a hurdle, but unfortunately it is; If your livelihood depends on it, you cannot afford to risk hard breaks in compatibility. There will be days where as a less experienced user, issues could take hours to fix.
If you get a secondary computer in the future that you only use for personal activities, that is when I would reconsider installing and learning Linux. It’s rewarding to learn, you have more control over your system and better privacy, but it takes time and effort.
Well, I sort of do work on two devices for work and gaming. I have a decent windows laptop that I use at work and have my main rig for everything else.
As much as I dislike a lot about Windows, I think you are right. If I am in the graphic design industry, I will need to use Windows. Adobe will probably never port to Linux so I will always have to use it in some shape or form.