this post was submitted on 16 Aug 2023
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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What I would do in your case if you really want to use Linux, is dual boot. Put all if your professional stuff on the Windows partition, put your personal stuff on Linux. That way you can game and doomscroll from Linux and keep a separate, clean, professional environment for your Adobe needs.
GPU passthrough is not hard to set uo but requires a second GPU. If your processor has a GPU built in, you can use that as the second GPU, if not you're out of luck. There are some very low profile cards (GTX 1030 style) that will probably still fit and do basic graphics for you, but you won't be gaming that way.
To pass through a GPU, you set up a virtual machine in something like virt-manager, open its settings, click "add hardware", find the pcie button and select the right pcie device to pass through. Things used to be more difficult with some cards (Nvidia mostly) but modern drivers should work fine.
You can get virtual GPU acceleration to work without passthrough if you combine very recent virtualisation software with the right drivers and a bit of luck. I tried it with Nvidia and Intel and both times weren't a great experience, leading to hardware freezes and kernel panics when I tried to put a load on them.
After getting the pass through working, your VM will output its screen through the GPU you forwarded while your computer works through the other (integrated) GPU. You can install a program called Looking Glass that'll copy the video signal coming from your real GPU to a window running in Linux so you don't need to mess with display cables or KVMs. There's a second program you need to forward keyboard and mouse events. With those two installed, you should be alright.
I don't know your specific branch of creative work, but tons of creative people use tools like Krita and Inkscape. They're objectively worse tools to use for an infinitely better price, which makes them very affordable alternatives for people in countries where Adobe's subscription costs as much as a month's wage. You'll have to decide if training to use those tools is worth your time, though.
For most professions, I think even a day of learning to use the new programs will probably cost you more than a monthly adobe subscription in lost wages, so I don't think it'll be worth the switch unless you experiment in your free time.