Linux Features: 5 Advantages Over Windows 💻✨

Most people think of Windows or macOS for productivity, but Linux desktops offer powerful customization that can improve your efficiency. From dynamic workspace management to unique desktop tweaks, here's how Linux can transform your workflow and make you more productive than Windows or Mac. 💪🐧

1 Best Virtual Desktop Deployments

Most Linux operating systems, including popular ones like Ubuntu, offer a powerful implementation of virtual desktops that is unrivaled in Windows or macOSFor example, Ubuntu and other GNOME-based systems allow you to specify how many virtual desktops you want or even let the system dynamically generate them based on your needs. Just like in Windows or macOS, you can drag and drop application windows onto specific virtual desktops for better management. Additionally, you can drag applications from the dock to a specific virtual desktop to launch them. This makes starting a new workflow extremely fast and efficient.

You also have special tools to make managing virtual desktops easier. On Ubuntu, you can install the Workspace Indicator extension to switch between virtual desktops directly from the panel, without having to open the desktop overview. Similarly, Linux operating systems based on KDE Plasma, such as Kubuntu and Garuda Linux, offer you the Pager widget, which provides similar functionality.

Speaking of which, all the Linux operating systems running KDE Plasma include Activities from KDE, which are essentially virtual desktops at their finest. This feature allows you to create dedicated workspaces with your own wallpapers, desktop widgets, and pinned apps. You can have one workspace for work, another for study, and another for entertainment. 🎨📚🎮

It's like having a dedicated system for different needs that you can effortlessly switch between with a few mouse clicks or hotkeys. 🔄

2 Tiled Window Manager

Tiled window managers (TWMs) are another notable productivity feature in some Linux operating systems. While virtual desktops help you create different spaces to organize all your applications and windows, tiled window managers help you organize open windows on the current desktop.

With auto-tiling enabled, your operating system will automatically arrange all open windows to use all available screen space as efficiently as possible, without overlapping. If you open one window, it will take up the entire screen. If you open two windows, each will be placed in split view mode, taking up half of the screen. For a third window, you can set auto-tiling to display all three side-by-side or have the new window horizontally split an existing window. You can also dig into the settings and begin configuring how much screen space you want each app to take up, its default location on the screen upon startup, and much more. 🔍💻

One of the main ideas when using tiling window managers is to limit mouse use and do everything using the keyboard and hotkeys. This not only speeds up window management, but can also help people who suffer from wrist pain from repeated mouse movements.

While not all Linux operating systems use tiling window managers by default, you can find them in niche Linux distributions such as Archcraft, or in special versions of popular distributions such as Manjaro i3 either Fedora i3 Spin. You can also experiment with automatic tiling and tiled window management on your regular Linux system using additional tools. For example, on Ubuntu, you can install the Forge extension to activate automatic tiling.

Once you start using tiling window managers, it will fundamentally change the way you interact with your system. Instead of minimizing apps to the taskbar—which often results in a clutter similar to browser tabs—all apps remain visible in an organized layout. You can use this in conjunction with virtual desktops to properly organize apps and create dedicated workspaces where all the apps you're using are open on their respective desktops. 🖥️📁

Unlike Windows or macOS, which offer a standardized and relatively fixed desktop experience, most Linux systems allow you to fully customize your desktop. desktop environment with widgets, scripts, and extensions. For example, you can customize Ubuntu to look and work like Windows or macOS. 🎨🖌️

You can use extensions to make a multifunctional top panel in Ubuntu. You can monitor your resource consumption system, add a virtual desktop switcher, a quick note-taker, and much more, simply by toggling extensions. This freedom of customization isn't just about aesthetics; it can help increase your overall efficiency while using your system. KDE Plasma-based distributions are even more customizable than Ubuntu, with native support for desktop widgets and much more granular control over layout and panels. 🛠️📊

As a result, you're not adjusting your needs to your PC's limitations, but rather modifying it to fit your specific workflow. This deep level of customization helps ensure everything you need is always within reach, which can significantly increase your productivity. 📈🖥️

4 Live Boot Environment

Most operating systems Linux supports a boot environment Live, where if you burn a Linux ISO to a USB stick and plug it into a computer, you get access to a full desktop experience. From here, you can choose to install the operating system or start using it normally without installation. 🔄🖥️

The Live Boot Environment lets you carry a fully functional operating system on a simple USB stick. Imagine having it on your keychain: plug it into a friend's PC or a computer at an internet cafe, and you'll have instant access to a secure and familiar operating system. You'll have essential tools like a web browser and LibreOffice, and if necessary, you can even download additional software. This kind of flexibility ensures unparalleled portability and convenience, allowing you to always have your preferred operating system at your fingertips. 🗝️🌍

The main problem with live booting is that everything you do or save will be reset once you shut down or reboot the system. Also, a operating system that runs from a USB drive It will be slower compared to a system installed on an SSD. You can circumvent this by using persistent live boot, where any files you create or changes you make will be saved to the USB drive. 📁💾

5 A Distro for Every Use Case

There are hundreds of Linux operating systems, also known as distributions (or distros), on the market. The idea behind so many distributions is that each is optimized for a specific use case and workflow, including all the necessary tools, configurations, and software. 🌐📈

For example, Ubuntu is a great general-purpose desktop distro that strikes a good balance to meet the needs of most users. However, if you're looking for a distro optimized for gaming from the start, Garuda Linux is a better choice. Likewise, Kali Linux is optimized to help cybersecurity professionals and comes loaded with all the tools they could need. 🎮🔧

This means you start with an environment built for your workflow from the get-go. No need to waste hours removing unnecessary software or searching for compatible tools; your chosen distro has already been curated to meet your requirements. 🕒👌

While Linux desktops may not be as popular as Windows or macOS, they certainly aren't lacking in features. In fact, Linux offers numerous unique capabilities that put control in your hands, making it a powerful productivity tool. From workspace management to complete customization, Linux empowers you to shape your computing environment. 💡✨