After three months using Linux as a primary desktop operating system, the author of a Verge article reports booting into Windows only twice — once to scan a document and once to print a photo.
The author experienced minimal disruption during the transition to Linux
The shift from Windows to Linux felt smoother than expected, with the system quickly becoming routine rather than novel. Troubleshooting occasional issues, such as a gaming mouse that functions only in games, was described as mostly satisfying. The author noted that problems encountered were minor and often humorous, contributing to a calmer and more robust computing experience compared to Windows.
Specific hardware and distribution choices influenced the Linux experience
The author retained an HP OfficeJet 8720 printer, which contributed to some compatibility challenges. A deliberate choice to use CachyOS, a rolling release distribution based on Arch Linux, introduced certain complexities not found in more mainstream options like Ubuntu. This decision affected system stability and update management, particularly regarding snapshot storage.
Snapshot storage limits required manual disk reconfiguration
CachyOS initially defaulted to a 2GB boot partition for its Snapper imaging service, which stores system snapshots before updates. This space filled quickly, preventing further snapshots after a few weeks. The author resolved the issue by booting from a live image, shrinking an adjacent partition by 2GB, and shifting volumes to expand the boot partition — a process described as tedious but straightforward and tactilely satisfying. CachyOS has since updated its installer to default to a 4GB boot partition.
Why did the author only boot into Windows twice?
The author booted into Windows once to scan a multipage document that wasn’t working correctly in Linux and once to print a photo for a child’s school on short notice.
What caused the Snapper snapshot storage issue?
The default 2GB boot partition in CachyOS filled quickly because Snapper was configured to store 50 system snapshots, exhausting available space and halting further snapshot creation.
