In 2019, after years of relying on a 2013 Mac Pro, I realized it was time for an upgrade. But when I saw the direction Apple was taking with the new Mac Pro lineup and its much higher pricing I knew it was time to make a change. While I’ve worked in Windows environments for years professionally, it’s never been my favorite OS.
So I made the leap to Linux, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made.
🖥️ Choosing the Right Linux Setup #
I ordered a Dell workstation and started evaluating Linux distributions based on the software I needed. I eventually landed on Ubuntu, largely because of its Debian roots, strong community, and wide compatibility.
But coming from macOS, especially as a heavy user of Spaces, I found that the default GNOME desktop didn’t quite cut it. Running a three-monitor setup, I needed a more fluid and flexible window management system.
That’s when I discovered Awesome WM.
💡 Enter: Awesome Window Manager #
After trying various customizations and window managers, Awesome WM completely won me over. It was my first real exposure to tiling window managers, and I haven’t looked back since.
What makes Awesome WM so compelling?
- Total control over your layout and behavior
- Keyboard-driven navigation across multiple monitors and desktops
- Configurable workspaces and dynamic layouts
- A Lua-based config that makes scripting your own workflow feel empowering
Once you’ve used a tiling window manager tailored to your workflow, going back to a traditional desktop feels like a step backward.
⌨️ Enhancing Productivity with the ZSA Keyboard #
Switching to Linux also led me down the rabbit hole of input customization. I eventually paired my setup with a ZSA Moonlander mechanical keyboard, which deserves a full blog post of its own (coming soon!).
With layers, macros, and full programmability, the Moonlander adds another level of control that perfectly complements a tiling window manager setup.
It allows me to:
- Switch desktops or launch apps instantly
- Create macros for common commands
- Navigate faster with fewer keystrokes
- Reduce mouse reliance to near zero
👍 What I Love About Using Linux Daily #
There’s something deeply satisfying about building a desktop environment that you control:
- Write your own configs instead of relying on vendor settings
- Customize your desktop for speed, focus, and aesthetics
- Open-source everything: No lock-in, no subscriptions
- Better performance on less hardware
Sure, there are occasional frustrations. Some macOS apps don’t have perfect Linux counterparts, and not everything works out of the box, but the trade offs are worth it for the flexibility and power you gain.
🚀 Want to Try It Yourself? #
If you’re curious about Linux but not ready to commit, I recommend:
- Trying a Live ISO from Pop!_OS
- Testing the built-in tiling mode
- Or installing Ubuntu and experimenting with Awesome WM or another tiling manager like i3
You don’t need to ditch your current setup, just give it a spin and see how it feels. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy building your workflow from the ground up.
🧠 Final Thoughts #
I’ve used Linux as my primary desktop for over half a decade now, and I don’t plan to stop. The combination of Ubuntu, Awesome WM, and a custom keyboard has made my computing experience faster, smoother, and more personal than anything I’ve had on macOS or Windows.
If you value control, speed, and open-source philosophy, Linux might just become your favorite desktop too.
