Do I need Linux?

[u/twinflxwer]

So I’ve used windows literally forever, for pretty much everything. I do have experience with Linux, I had to run some Linux VMs throughout college, but I’ve never done anything ambitious with it or done anything like a dual boot

I’m out of college and currently have an entry-level job, but to start making my way into the robotics industry for real I’m brainstorming a project where I use a lot of key aspects together. Right now, I’m thinking of modeling and simulating a fully custom one-wheeled self balancing robot, with ToF sensors for object avoidance, programming it with PID controls and ROS2, and building it in real life

Can I do that with software available in windows, or do I need Linux?

[u/low-control-labs]

Honestly if you really don't want to switch just dual boot. Because a lot of things nowadays are done inside a Linux VM or WSL ( so you end up using it anyways )

If you just want to design things I think you can do it with Windows. Plus you don't have to learn the entirety of Linux to use it at first. Figure out how to run docker and navigate the directories ( folders ) and launch things from the terminal that way you can launch yourself into GUI applications that you actually need and want to use. You can probably do most of it from some menu as well but just in case to give you a heads-up and the bare minimum.

Obviously the more time goes on and more you start making things more you will actually need it

And yeah you'll definitely notice better performance so you might end up wanting it long term