I'm just going to go hide sheepishly behind my little office computer
Regarding the desktop machine usage scenario:
Currently, if I need Windows XP or 7, or simply need an additional computer with separate accounts, its own system ID, and so on, I simply use a separate computer. So, I have nine computers, most of which are my old laptops and mini PCs, plus three Orange Pis (luckily, these three only require a browser, so I don't have to delve into settings). If I could throw all of this in the trash and use just one computer with several virtual machines, that would be fine. Using a separate computer for transactions, a separate computer for "white" communication, a separate computer for "black" communication, a separate computer for work, and so on, isn't so simple.
So, I need a computer that can accommodate all of this, although I certainly won't be running all of the virtual machines simultaneously. And one of these virtual machines needs to have sufficient hardware resources for working with 3D. + I want to learn how to work with artificial intelligence.
As far as I understand, miracles don't happen, so an old computer won't do.
There's a second scenario for a laptop. This involves everyday Linux tasks and 3D work in a virtual machine. Since it was said that Lenovo is Linux's best friend, I looked at the "Lenovo Legion 5 15IRX10 - 83LY00C4IV - Core i7-14700HX RTX 5060 1TB SSD 32GB RAM" (100% SRGB - the main things I liked about this device). Will I experience any hardware issues with this laptop under Linux?
That's a lot of computers 
I would definitely consider a VM for some of those things if you can. Less clutter lying around.
Like others have said, using virt-manager along with Virtual Machine Manager is better than VBox (virt-manager is the underlying engine, VMM is the GUI that you interact with). It takes a little while to get it set up, but once you do, it works well. Both Grok and Perplexity did well helping me fine-tune the settings in it to work with my system.
And speaking of AI, you said you want to work with it. All the machines you've mentioned with big GPUs will likely be sufficient. I've got an older system with an RTX 3060 in it, and it does great for LLM chats, music, and image production.
That Lenovo Legion 5 15IRX10 looks like a dream computer. With something that new, I'd probably run Ubuntu 26.04 on it when that's released on April 23. Zorin has an older kernel and would likely be more frustrating than it's worth. Fedora will give you the best Linux experience if you were to go out and get it today. But in the long run, if you have Fedora-specific problems(such as with the GPU), then Ubuntu 26.04 will likely play more nicely with the NVIDIA GPU than Fedora.
The main Linux pain points on gaming laptops like this are usually:
- NVIDIA graphics switching and driver setup.
- Power management and fan behavior.
- New laptop-specific components that may need a recent kernel (i.e., Fedora or Ubuntu 26.04).
You might consider trying Fedora 43 with KDE Plasma (from a live USB session) just to familiarize yourself with the system. Some aspects of the interface will feel more like Windows 10 -- though it certainly isn't Windows!
Expect a learning curve and some frustrations along the way. I find Linux to be better overall, but it takes some time to adapt to it.
Yes, a lot, and it irritates me. I know Windows has never been a secure system, so I use a separate computer for transactions (which only accesses the internet during transactions). My credit card information isn't on any other computer. This is also the only computer that contains my passport information and all my passwords. Another computer is for work. A third is for "white" communication, a fourth is for "black" communication, and the third has three old operating systems installed (Windows 98, XP, and 7), and so on. All of this is connected via three KVMs and a kilometer of wires. But I want one machine in a nice case.
But I don't know if I should buy used server equipment from China, where I can install two Xenon processors and 16 bars of DDR3 RAM, or build something on Ryzen 9 or i7 and limit myself to two sticks of DDR5 memory at 64GB each and a regular AMD or Nvidia graphics card, instead of a server-grade Tesla. (Since even in the high-end price range, I can't see a motherboard for a regular PC that can run at x16 with two graphics cards and an M2 SSD simultaneously.)
Okay, thanks for the info. When I get the laptop, I'll try Ubuntu with KDE Plasma. Maybe that will work.
I would checkout users submitted hardware probes here:
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But she want you believe what she sayed but sometimes AI lieying.
No matter what I try with Zorin, everything is fraught with problems.
Setting the folder view to show large image previews is a problem, similar to Windows.
Installing a program or drivers is a problem. There's no executable file; TAR archives are downloaded, and the installation must be initialized through the terminal.
Even with the drivers installed, Linux refuses to work with devices properly; it's always trying to invent its own methods. Using a Bluetooth mouse is a problem. I have to write to the terminal again, edit files and permissions, but even after that, Linux refuses to work with the mouse correctly. When Bluetooth is enabled, the mouse disappears, and the mouse doesn't initialize until I log in, even though Linux has received a command to use it.
Editing anything in the program's system folder is a problem, since the program is a separate user and only the program has permissions. So, I'm forced to go into the terminal again and set permissions for myself (sounds stupid, but it's true). And it still refuses to grant access.
The programs for adapting Windows programs are all buggy and unresponsive.
You can install a virtual machine, but you can't configure it. Because this program apparently has the right to block me from doing anything on my own computer.
I can't redirect a video card because the virtual machine manager spoofs its QEMU version everywhere, instead of the original hardware name.
Every step in Linux is a hassle that requires Googling, installing utilities, permissions, and editing through the terminal.
There are also no full-fledged programs to replace Windows applications. Switching to Blender after 3D Max is like switching from a BMW 7 Series to a Volkswagen Beetle with Boeing-like controls, only without the display.
Is it possible to somehow turn Linux into a fully-fledged user operating system that doesn't overwhelm the user's brain, but simply works, doing what's required of it?
Merged same claims into already existing thread.
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You're in the wrong place. Let it go. I'm sorry you struggle with Linux. So do I. But I don't write War and Peace in long repetitive posts about it. Please just stop. Say "How do I do this?" instead of "I can't do this!"
The name of this discussion group is.....feedback. He's not in the wrong place.
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I understand, and I agree up to a point. But the feedback has been given and boils down to "I find Zorin not to my liking". I heard that in the first post, and repeating it is a waste of Reb's time in writing and our time in reading.
My "in the wrong place" comment was more intended as "in the Linux world" rather than "in this forum".
I think DavidA was suggesting "wrong place" as wrong state of mind, not wrong place on the forum. Feedback section can often double up as Rant Central.
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This is true.
And I think it would be a disservice for it to be a "Only positive comments allowed" kind of place.
Every one needs to vent the frustration from time to time.
And struggling to get things working, trying one suggestion after another feeling like are grasping in the dark or stumbling into insurmountable roadblocks is very frustrating.
However...
Venting that in a repeat loop is just as frustrating to readers seeking participation, contribution and answers. There is a limit on how much venom and negativity others can tolerate.
I remember being a Windows OS user for over a decade. Searching the internet for solutions, finding nebulous answers. Trying different things, stumbling in the dark, feeling like I am being actively blocked.
A change in perception of how you look at a challenge goes a long way.
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Operating system you choice to depends your knees.
Here is interesting how corporation cannot beat linux.
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Um... that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm asking, "How can I do this?" That is, what can I do to transform Linux from a "rect@l intervention" for a system administrator into a "user operating system that works"?
What is a "user operating system that works"? It's an operating system in which the user spends time only working, not troubleshooting the system itself. For example, I received a service pack yesterday and installed it. As a result, I spent three hours talking to the AI, just to get Firefox back to Russian and the page translation button. IMHO: such incidents shouldn't happen in a user operating system that works. And I suspect there's a way to avoid them. But... how?
Moreover, right as I was writing this post, my Bluetooth mouse stopped working. And it's not a $2 mouse from AliExpress. This mouse works fine in Windows, but not in Linux... Bluetooth is enabled and shows the mouse as connected, but I have to disable it and then re-enable it for it to work. Also, the mouse doesn't work on the login screen; you have to log in first, and only then will the mouse connect.
And yes: I asked "how do I do this?", got an answer, followed the instructions, and it didn't work.
You are right. On an OS that works, that does not happen. And on Zorin OS, it does not happen, normally.
Firefox does not strictly inherit system language, but saves it in the User Home Directory.
Given you many descriptions of strange issues; I really wonder about the system configuration, competing but not necessarily compatible programs (Like intrusive VPN's) etc that is sending your system haywire.
Simply put: Most users do not describe the experience that you describe.
Therefor, if you are an outlier, then the question switches from "how" to "Why?"
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And using Windows 11, stripped of telemetry, etc. is not an option?
I went back and read through the thread.
Your equipment and software point to some pretty high-end personal computing. Your privacy concerns would seem to point to some sort of high-stakes professional work.
My point is this: For an end user *, highly proprietary software running on cutting edge equipment will do best on a proprietary OS such as Windows. For example, in using 3ds Max and ZBrush, Linux will be notoriously difficult because Adobe and Autodesk have historically ignored the platform.
You might be able to power a virtual machine, etc. but even that will never be an "it just works" scenario. Since you just want to use your programs and not fuss with the OS, (because time is money), I think you will continue to be frustrated on the Linux platform - be it Zorin or any other distribution out there.
- as opposed to servers, etc.
My hardware configuration: LEGION 5 15IRX10 RTX5060 laptop, 32GB RAM. Logitech MX Master 3S mouse, 3DConnexion Space Mouse wireless (if Linux had a device manager, I could give a more detailed description).
Software: Zorin OS 18 Pro, Virtual Machine Manager 4.1.0, Firefox 150 (by the way, at first, the AI claimed that this version doesn't exist and that the current stable version is 135). Logiops, Solar. These are what I installed deliberately. I don't remember everything the AI recommended during debugging. There wasn't even a default Bluetooth driver.
I'd be happy to do just that. But in a battle between user and manufacturer—who wins?
Windows 11 without telemetry sounds as appealing as eating donuts without getting fat. But is it even possible?
From what I understand, the AI assistant in Windows 11 is part of the OS and can't be completely removed. Furthermore, Microsoft has already removed the ability to use Windows 11 with a local account (I've already checked, and it was indeed removed). Microsoft also plans (as publicly known) to change its license payment policy; soon it will be a subscription, and Windows itself will operate in a limited mode without internet access.
Also, despite clearing "Sofia Script," installing "Windows Update Blocker," and other manipulations, Windows still continues to try to track something. Furthermore, if you install updates, all these measures become useless. Windows programs also persistently access the internet, which can be prevented by editing services, but this stops working after an update.
The only solution I see is to "cage Windows." That is, get the latest updates, adjust all settings, and disable internet access. And disable it in such a way that Windows can't accidentally enable it. For this to happen, Windows shouldn't control the computer.
Yes, you're right, I have both personal and commercial data, the leakage of which could cause a lot of problems.
But even an ordinary person could have data, the dissemination of which would lead to a direct lawsuit. For example, if you have +18 photos of your ex-girlfriend, and these photos are distributed online, that's a crime. And what are the chances a judge will believe the argument that "Microsoft is to blame for everything, collecting user data but not ensuring its protection"?
The leakage of personal, business, or commercial data, as well as any breach of privacy, always poses problems. If the data is analyzed and stored somewhere, there's always a risk it will fall into the wrong hands.