Skip to main content

What is Linux? It’s a free operating system you may already use without knowing

What is Linux
MacOS and Windows are the two most popular desktop and laptop operating systems. They’re the two central OS choices dominating the desktop and laptop markets today. But have you heard of the alternative to both of these options? It’s called Linux and it’s entirely free, and very powerful.

What is Linux? It could be your next OS of choice.

A quick Linux history lesson

In 1991, when Terminator 2: Judgement Day was a massive hit in theaters, and Intel’s first 32-bit processor, the 80386, had become a widely-used chip in PCs, the Windows OS was still an infant. Unix was the most-used operating system at the time, both commercially and in academic institutions.

For the individuals, however, Unix was just too expensive to use. A free variant of Unix called MINIX was available, but it didn’t take full advantage of Intel’s 32-bit chip. Also, it couldn’t be modified or redistributed, even though the source code was freely available. These factors led a student at the University of Helsinki to create a platform of his own.

Enter the birth of Linux. A computer science student by the name of Linus Torvalds wrote the first signs of Linux specifically for his Intel 386-based machine running MINIX. He didn’t create a complete operating system, but instead what’s known as a kernel, which didn’t depend on the parent MINIX operating system.

This kernel is no popcorn

What’s a kernel? If an operating system were a planet, the kernel would be its core. It’s the underlying code that manages everything on your PC – the processor, memory, storage, your peripherals, and so on. When you hear talk about how Windows 10 is provided across all types of devices, it means Microsoft uses the same kernel or core. It’s the fundamental layer of an operating system.

The next layer above the kernel, then, is called the shell, or the interface for entering commands to the kernel. With Windows, what you see day-to-day is the attractive graphical interface layer (GUI) on the planet’s surface. Underneath that is a layer for rendering the GUI or desktop, a layer that manages background services, such as the printer, wireless connectivity, notifications, etc.

What Linus Torvalds created was only a core, which he eventually named Linux, and uploaded to an FTP server. First published under his license, Linus then decided to pair it with a shell called Bash, itself created under a free software license called the GNU General Public License (GPL). Eventually, the Linux kernel was provided by itself under the GNU GPL, and developers flocked to create open-source layers for it, and in turn, provide a complete, ready-to-use operating system.

Believe it or not, Linux is everywhere

Because the Linux kernel falls under the GNU GPL, it sees extensive usage outside the PC arena. You can catch it running automobiles, kitchen appliances, streaming devices, household devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and much more. Most of the internet depends on Linux through the Apache HTTP Server platform installed on internet servers, whose foundation is based on the Linux kernel.

That said, Apache and the other examples mentioned are distribution or distros of Linux. A distro is a unified group of components with the Linux kernel at the center. However, these releases aren’t all the same despite sharing the Linux core. Microsoft does something similar with Windows 10, although the company keeps the kernel behind locked doors. Microsoft mainly sells different distributions, depending on the hardware: Windows 10 Pro/Home, Windows 10 Mobile, Xbox One, Windows 10 Enterprise, Windows 10 S, and so on.

It’s a tasty Linux buffet

Since the Linux kernel is free to use, you can get different “flavors” of Linux-based platforms. That’s the beauty of Linux. The platform consists of multiple components developed by the Linux community, so not all Linux-based operating systems are alike, despite using the same kernel.

For example, there are more than ten different graphical interfaces created for the Linux platform. Examples include popular solutions like Unity, GNOME, KDE Plasma, Pantheon, and Fluxbox. But many distros also include proprietary components, so while they’re free to use, you can’t distribute or edit the programs. Right now, there are more than 75 different distros available, but only a dozen are endorsed by the Free Software Foundation as 100 percent free software.

Here’s a list of the more popular Linux-based distros you can use right now:

Out of the platforms listed above, Ubuntu is likely the most commercially-used Linux distribution. You can get it as an alternative to Windows 10 on desktops and laptops supplied by OEMs, including solutions manufactured by Dell, Lenovo, HP, and Acer. System76 is a company dedicated to manufacturing laptops, desktops, and servers that rely on the Ubuntu distribution.

There are Linux-based operating systems provided on devices you use every day but aren’t readily available to download and install. Android and Chrome OS are prime examples.

Best Chromebook apps

Mostly provided on smartphones and tablets, the Android platform now comes installed on desktops and laptops as well. Google’s Chrome OS platform is only installed on the popular low-cost Chromebook laptops. However, given it’s based on the open-source Chromium OS project, you can still find variants of Chrome OS to download and use.

Meanwhile, there are also Linux-based distributions explicitly created for the server market. These include Red Hat Enterprise Linux for data centers, SUSE Enterprise Linux Server, and the non-desktop version of CentOS.

There’s love for gamers, too

Almost a decade ago, game developer Valve Software, the company behind the widely-popular Steam distribution platform, set out to create an operating system because CEO Gabe Newell didn’t like the way Microsoft controlled the Windows-based gaming ecosystem. He wanted the gaming market to remain as an open platform, so Valve introduced the Linux-based SteamOS operating system in September 2013.

Unfortunately, Valve’s Steam Machine initiative didn’t gain any traction. Yet despite the Steam Machine disappointment, Valve remains dedicated to improving, supporting, and providing SteamOS as a Windows alternative for PC gamers.

Raspberry-flavored Linux in your Pi

Even the Raspberry Pi computer board has its operating system based on the Linux kernel. If you’re not familiar with Raspberry Pi, it’s a single, credit card-sized board packing everything you need to create a small computer. There is an infinite number of use cases for the little $35 PC, ranging from an educational Minecraft-themed laptop to a monitoring system for tracking pesky squirrels.

Powering the Raspberry Pi is a spinoff of Debian called Raspbian that’s been optimized for the device. There are other operating systems for the Raspberry Pi, too, such as Ubuntu Mate, RISC OS, and even the Windows 10 Internet of Things Core. However, it should be noted that Raspbian is the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s recommended OS.

Adding to that, the Raspberry Pi Foundation introduced Raspberry Pi Desktop in late 2016. This desktop is based on Debian and the Pixel graphical interface first introduced in the Raspberry Pi’s Raspbian operating system. It can be installed on any PC or Mac and includes educational, programming, and general applications such as Python and Sonic Pi right out of the box.

The pros and cons of Linux

As with any operating system, there are pluses and minuses when using a Linux distribution. The main benefit is that Linux-based distros are more secure because hackers generally target Windows-based PCs. They’re also typically not running excessive processes in the background, so the platform feels responsive, and programs experience better performance.

Then again, you won’t see the latest hardware immediately supported by Linux-based distributions, given that manufacturers mostly focus on Windows and MacOS platforms first. Plus, finding answers to your problems will take more investigative work than usual. So unless you purchase a device with a Linux distribution already installed, the only technical help you’ll receive will be through the Linux community.

On the software side, many popular programs simply aren’t available for Linux distributions. The same holds for gaming, though the Linux library is slowly growing thanks in part to Valve’s SteamOS platform. Adding to that, you’ll need patience when understanding how the Linux platform works, what tools and alternatives are available, and how to get more control over the PC by learning new commands.

Again, many distros for varying skill levels and needs. If you prefer an install-and-go situation, Ubuntu might be your best Windows alternative (or Elementary OS if you’re on MacOS). Unfortunately, picking the right Linux distribution for your skill level and needs may be more daunting than learning how to use your pick.

Linux is the quiet kid of the trio

Ultimately, Linux is the quiet kid in the room, while Windows and MacOS struggle to talk over each other. All three present their unique pros and cons, but the quiet kid has an army of solutions, whereas the two loudmouths offer proprietary experiences behind walled gardens.

Still, in recent years, Microsoft has become a bit friendlier with the quiet kid. The company made Ubuntu available on the Windows 10 store in 2017 and incorporated the Bash shell into Windows 10 a year before.

If you’re interested in ditching Windows or MacOS, you should consider the vast Linux-based options available to you. Determine your needs and your skill set before taking the plunge because, even if the operating system is easy to use, leaving familiar desktop territory is a complicated process. You’ll want to find a solution to make the transition less painful, so you’re up and running on a Linux distribution in no time.

Editors' Recommendations

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
HP’s most popular gaming PC is under $900 for a limited time
hp omen 25l gaming desktop deal march 2023 pc on table feature

If you’re looking for a way to get into some of the best PC games you can find a great option at an impressive price at HP today. The HP Omen 25L gaming PC is something gamers of all levels should consider, and HP is letting it go for just $830. This is a savings of $550 from its regular price, and free shipping is included with a purchase. This deal isn’t likely to last long, so click over to HP to claim it while you can.

Why you should buy the HP Omen 25L gaming PC
HP has long produced some of the best desktop computers, and its Omen 25L gaming PC has become a favorite amongst gamers. This is a highly customizable tower that allows for expansion and upgrades of its internal components at any point in time, making it a great option for gamers on a budget, or for new gamers who just want to test the waters before committing to a more expensive gaming setup. As built for this deal, the HP Omen 25L comes with a 6-core Intel i5 processor and the popular NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card. This is very capable hardware to throw at your PC games whether your plan is to upgrade components in the future or not.

Read more
MSI’s new motherboard makes sleek PC builds, but there’s one problem
MSI's Project Zero B650M motherboard.

MSI has just unveiled a slew of new products at Computex 2023, and some of its new high-end motherboards might catch your eye. One model stands out in particular: the mysterious B650M motherboard titled "Project Zero."

The board is promising if you want to achieve the cleanest look yet with your next PC build. There's one problem, though -- even if you get it, you might not be able to use it.

Read more
This deal saves you $500 on a Razer Blade 15 with an RTX 3080 Ti
The Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop with RGB lighting on the background.

Over at Razer right now, you can buy the popular Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop for $3,200 instead of $3,700. While this is far from an impulse buy purchase, if you've been scouring the gaming laptop deals with a hefty budget by your side, this is a great one to pursue. Stylish and powerful, this is one of those laptop deals you really won't want to miss out on. Keen to learn more? Keep reading while we take you through the specs.

Why you should buy the Razer Blade 15
There's a lot to love about the Razer Blade 15. That's hardly surprising really given that Razer is one of the best laptop brands for gamers. It has some great hardware inside its sleek shell. That includes a 12th-generation Intel Core i7 processor along with a huge 32GB of memory and 1TB of SSD storage. While an increasing number of high-end gaming laptops have 1TB of storage space, comparatively few have 32GB of memory with many still sticking with 16GB. It makes a difference with performance while also giving you the advantage of future proofing which is definitely what you're going to want from a laptop of this price.

Read more