Four years ago, a fire in the nearby strip mall woke me up to a harsh truth: my web design startup was one accident away from losing everything. All our work, client websites, source files, server logins, lived on three Dell workstations. If the worst happened, I needed a backup plan. A laptop with all our data, ready to keep the business running.
Since every other computer in my studio ran Linux, I grabbed an Asus Zephyrus G15 and jumped in. I deleted Armory Crate, installed Fedora, then Manjaro, then settled on Ubuntu 23.10, the last version that felt just right on the hardware. Eventually, CachyOS became my daily driver: fast, responsive, and tailored to the Zephyrus. But even great Linux distros have flaws, especially when your backup laptop can’t afford to break.
The Linux Problem: Updates That Made Me Nervous
CachyOS was fantastic… until the updates. Monthly downloads would hit 5 GB or more, and every time I clicked “update,” I’d hold my breath. What if something broke? If the backup laptop died on me, all those server logins and website files would go with it, defeating the whole point of having a backup.
When Ubuntu 25.10 dropped, I saw a chance to fix that. I live-booted it: the Battery Health Charging extension (non-negotiable for me, since I limit battery charge to 60% to extend lifespan) worked. Core hardware like display, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, all functioned flawlessly. I installed it and hoped that the update nightmare was over.
But Ubuntu 25.10 had a secret: Apps took two about seconds to launch which. compared to my Mac Studio, felt more like 10 seconds. After a few days using Ubuntu, I realized: this “solution” was worse than the problem. Ubuntu’s slowness wasn’t a bug, it was a feature I couldn’t care less for.
When Linux Fails: Manjaro’s LUKS Nightmare
Desperate to fix the backup laptop, I tried Manjaro GNOME Minimal Edition, an old favorite of mine. I burned the ISO, installed it, and hit reboot.
What followed was a disaster. First boot took 5 minutes. Second boot? Another 5. Then, on the third reboot, it just hung. I reinstalled without encryption, but it still wouldn’t boot. By then, I was done with Linux.
I reached for my trusty Windows 11 Pro USB stick, the one I made last year with Rufus, no MS account required. As expected, Windows installed normally.
Setting Up Windows 11: From Chaos to Control
Here’s the thing no one tells you about Windows 11: it’s manageable if you’re willing to fight the bloat.
I fired up Chris Titus’s Windows Utility (a lifesaver for anyone who hates telemetry) and let it work its magic: disabled unnecessary services, stripped out bloatware, and locked down updates to security patches only.
Forty minutes later, I had a laptop that performed the same as CachyOS:
- Boot time: Slightly faster than Linux (~10 seconds).
- App speed: Instant. Firefox, VS Code, even ComfyUI launched without a hitch.
- Bluetooth: Stable connection to my keyboard and mouse.
- VMs: VirtualBox blew virt-manager out of the water. On Linux, GhostBSD VMs maxed out at 1280×720; on Windows, I get full 3440×1440 on my ultrawide.
The only minor gripe? Display scaling: Windows defaults to 125% on my 15” 1440p screen, while Ubuntu did 133%. But since I work mostly on a 34” ultrawide, it’s OK.
Windows 11 Pro vs. Linux: What a Long-Time Linux User Notices
As someone who’s spent decades using Linux, I went in expecting to dislike Windows. Instead, I found a OS that gets productivity, even if it takes some work to tame.
The Wins:
- Driver Support: Nvidia’s Windows drivers are leagues ahead of Linux’s.
- Reliability: No more “did I break the system with an update?” anxiety. Once set up, Windows just… works.
- Virtualization: VirtualBox is a dream compared to virt-manager, which wasted my time with VM internet and display issues.
The Minor Frustrations:
- Telemetry: Even with Chris Titus’s tool, I know that Windows still calls home. But it’s manageable.
- Middle Mouse Button: I miss Linux’s copy-paste with the scroll wheel, but I’ve learned to live with it (Windows’ alternative is clunkier, but functional).
Is Windows 11 Worth It for Linux Users?
Here’s the hard truth: For years, I told myself Linux was “better” because it’s open source. But better doesn’t mean better for my business.
Windows 11 Pro isn’t perfect. It’s bloated but when you fix the mess (thanks to tools like Chris Titus’s), you get a operating system that’s:
- Fast: Working on Windows feels the same as on macOS and GhostBSD.
- Reliable: No more uncertainty about broken updates.
- Productive: VMs work, AI tools run smooth, and my backup laptop actually backs up, without me sweating over system stability.
The Future: Linux Is Out, Windows (and macOS) Are In
I’m only three days into Windows 11 as my daily driver, but so far? It’s been amazing. I’ve sold two of my three Dell workstations, no need for them now that Windows and macOS handle everything. System administration? Next to zero. Time spent troubleshooting? None.
Do I miss Linux? Sometimes, especially the flexibility of package managers or the flexibility of GNOME. But honestly? I miss it less than I thought. For a backup laptop that needs to be reliable above all else, Windows 11 Pro isn’t just an option, it’s the smart choice.
And hey, if something goes wrong? I’ve got that Windows USB stick ready. Just plug in, install, and get back to work.
In the end, the fire taught me something: The best OS isn’t the one with the coolest logo or the most open-source cred. It’s the one that keeps your business running. For the Zephyrus laptop, that’s Windows 11 Pro.
P.S.: I’ll update this post if I ever have to jump back to Linux. But for now? Windows is working. And that’s all that matters.