[usefulcat]

> Now mostly everything just works

'Mostly' is the key--and the problem.

I've been using Elementary OS as a daily driver for at least a year, maybe two (and before that I used Mint for several years). For the most part (there's that pesky word again!), it works quite well. And it really is beautiful--aesthetically, I quite like it.

But boy do I wish that bluetooth would work reliably. Since working at home full time, noise-cancelling headphones have gone from 'nice to have' to 'nearly essential'. It worked more or less fine for a while, then some update broke something and it stopped working. Now it's working again, kind of, but connecting a pair of headphones causes most of the entire UI to stop responding for a full minute or two. Sigh.

And maybe the next time I update it will be fine again. Who knows? And that's the problem: every update feels like Russian roulette. And this isn't even a laptop. I use this thing for work; I do not have time to dick around all today troubleshooting obscure bluetooth problems.

If I'm going to continue to use it, I guess what I need to do is stop updating (or only update specific apps, like firefox) once I happen upon a relatively 'stable' configuration. Security updates be damned.

[brnt]

If you want it to just work, stay away from those cutting edge distros stick to Linux' Windows: Ubuntu LTS.

Its boring, but like Windows, that's precisely why it works out of the box.

[KlaymenDK]

To add to this, I prefer Ubuntu MATE, where "MATE" refers to the desktop environment: it's exactly what it needs to be, light and responsive and useful, without the need for a GPU just to render you friggin' desktop. It's neat.

[saagarjha]

Elementary OS is based on Ubuntu LTS.

[swiley]

In general if you see something super polished on Linux there's a decent chance it's broken. I think that's what GP was trying to say.

[happyjack]

There is WAY too much truth in this post :)

[brnt]

Hackintoshes are based on macOS, but that doesnt mean it receives the breath of testing and scrutiny as the real deal.

Thats the whole point, right? Obviously smaller and non-mainstream distros with non-mainstream packages, more cutting edge packages will have more paper cuts.

[duckducky]

Use pulse audio volume control. See if it would help. Mine also broke after some system update. With this I was able to select bluetooth profile as well as set audio out via bluetooth. Before finding this bluetooth headset wouldnt work correctly on elementary os, but never needed it in linuxmint.

apt install pavucontrol

[foobiekr]

you're missing his point. the issue is not the specific issue but the endless litany of issues.

[duckducky]

Didn't miss the point at all. Why would you assume that? I faced a similar problem as parent and know the pain point. Was just trying to let parent know of a solution I found useful.

[input_sh]

I'm in the same situation as you: work from home, own noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones, use elementary OS.

Personally, the only problem I've ever had is when two devices are connected to my headphones (laptop and a phone). When a notification pops up on my phone, my headphones get "taken over" by the sound from my phone. I basically just turn off Bluetooth on my phone at that point (easier than disconnecting a device).

Minor annoyance for sure (especially because I have notifications turned on for like 3 apps on my phone), but I'm so used to elementary OS (using it since 0.2) that there's no way I can switch to anything else — Windows or another Linux distro — at this point.