Updated
Updated · ZDNet · Jun 8
ZDNET Writer Flags 4 Linux Pain Points After 30 Years, Driving Some Work Back to MacBook
Updated
Updated · ZDNet · Jun 8

ZDNET Writer Flags 4 Linux Pain Points After 30 Years, Driving Some Work Back to MacBook

1 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Jun 8

Summary

  • Four recurring Linux complaints still stand out after nearly 30 years of use, with audio recording glitches and unreliable laptop suspend/resume serious enough to push some tasks back to a MacBook.
  • Audio trouble shows up most in recording rather than playback: stuttering, dropouts and failed sessions persisted across years, though an external Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 solved a recent audiobook project.
  • Laptop sleep remains inconsistent across distributions, releases and hardware, with some systems failing to wake or draining the battery after the lid is closed; video drivers are cited as one cause.
  • Bluetooth instability and dark-theme defaults round out the list: some audio devices, mice and keyboards disconnect on Linux, while the author says most distributions still default to a theme he immediately changes.
  • The critique is framed as limited rather than broad—Linux remains the author's default OS—but it highlights long-running usability gaps in audio, power management and device support.

Insights

After thirty years, what is the final hurdle preventing Linux from becoming a truly reliable mainstream laptop OS?
Has PipeWire solved Linux audio issues, or does unreliable hardware support still undermine professional work?
Who is responsible for fixing Linux laptop sleep issues: hardware makers or Linux developers?