I keep seeing these " time to move to Linux" threads. For my work I have to use super proprietary software which I know for a fact is Windows only. Not only that it's GPU intensive CPU intensive and niche. I'm sure there's a way to run Windows within Linux but I can only imagine the pain in trying to get proprietary shite to work.
On top of that I need specific CAD software, Photoshop and Illustrator. I don't think any of these daily used programs support Linux.
From the outside, Linux just seems like an absolute ball ache to get working with all of the things I currently do without even thinking about it.
I'd love to do it. Not sure it's going to work. Am I wrong?
Different OSes for different use cases. You have a job to do. Just use Windows.
If you want to use Linux, use it on your own machines on your own time.
That said, there are a few things you can do if you really want to use Linux:
Test if the app works on Wine, Proton, etc. Even GPU accelerated apps can work, depending on the software/driver stack.
Run a Windows VM and pass-through a GPU. That way you'll get native performance on the app that's GPU intensive. Use KVM and the CPU overhead will be negligible.
If you're doing 3D modeling/rendering, SFX, video editing or ML/AI, there are a lot of options on Linux. Some options that exist in Windows also have Linux versions.
FWIW, Photoshop and Illustrator generally work very well through Wine, not sure about CAD so I can't comment on that.
In general though, yeah, if you have to use some super proprietary Windows-only software, you very well may be out of luck for Linux. In which case, yeah, you have to put up with Windows and jump through whatever hoops Microsoft wants you to jump through.
When I ran a dual-boot over June and July last summer only about 60% of my library functioned, so for me, it's just not feasible to go entirely without Windows.
Same here. Its just a much better experience through windows. I made a new system for my daily driver which runs linux and I only turn on my gaming desktop when i want to game. I stream it through steam remote play and it works great