User Experience with WinBoat: A Mixed Bag for Windows Apps on Linux
A growing number of users are exploring alternatives to Windows 11, with many turning to Linux-based systems. Recently, one user shared their experience after switching to **Arch Linux** with **KDE Plasma** as their primary operating system. They examined **WinBoat**, a tool designed to run Windows applications on Linux, but found it lacking in several key areas.
Setting up WinBoat proved to be straightforward, especially compared to a previous experience with **WinApps**. The user noted that the most challenging aspect was configuring **Docker**, the virtualization engine that powers WinBoat. Unlike **Docker Desktop**, which lacks certain necessary features, the command line interface (CLI) is required for installation. This crucial detail was not adequately highlighted during the setup process. Once resolved, the user found WinBoat’s interface more welcoming than that of WinApps, which took inspiration from Windows design.
Despite its user-friendly interface, WinBoat does not integrate as seamlessly with Linux as WinApps. For instance, Windows applications do not register in the Linux launcher, requiring users to open WinBoat first. Although applications are added automatically, the interface does allow for manual additions if needed. For example, the user had to manually register **WPS Office**, which initially failed to appear in their app list.
Some applications performed remarkably well. **WPS Office** was highlighted as a standout, delivering a responsive experience without noticeable delays. The user was able to insert images from their home directory on the Linux host without issues. In contrast, **Adobe Lightroom** functioned adequately until GPU-intensive features were used. The integration of GPU processing is limited, particularly for those relying on integrated graphics. While most features operated smoothly, the user encountered challenges with advanced functionalities.
The experience with other Windows applications was mixed. The **Vivaldi** browser ran reasonably well, although it exhibited some graphical issues that could be remedied by resizing the window. However, the user emphasized the need for **Photoshop** for a complete transition from Windows to Linux. Unfortunately, the performance of Photoshop was significantly hindered due to its reliance on GPU processing, which was not effectively accessible in the virtual machine environment.
In testing, the user found that basic functions in Photoshop became nearly unusable, particularly when using tools like the selection tool. The floating menu associated with selections often failed to display correctly, leading to frustration.
In addition, the implementation of **FreeRDP** to facilitate Windows applications on Linux was deemed unreliable. The user experienced inconsistencies, including the failure of applications to launch properly. Multiple attempts to open an application while another was running resulted in one disappearing from the screen. The user noted that accessing the entire Windows desktop via a virtual machine might be more reliable than trying to run individual applications, although this approach is not ideal for most users.
Ultimately, the user expressed disappointment that neither WinBoat nor WinApps provided a satisfactory solution for their needs. Both applications, while different in their user interfaces, operate similarly under the hood, suggesting that many issues are inherent to both solutions. Alternatives like **Wine** were mentioned, but they too come with their own set of challenges, particularly regarding compatibility with various applications.
The user concluded that without native support from companies like **Adobe** for Linux systems, a seamless transition away from Windows remains out of reach. While the community hopes for improved solutions in the future, the current state of technology does not offer a viable alternative for those reliant on specific Windows applications.
