Hey everyone! I've got a 16-inch LG Gram equipped with an Intel Evo 12th Gen Core i7, 16GB RAM, and a 256 GB SSD. I'm considering switching back to Linux since I really enjoyed it on my old desktop. However, I've heard there are some minor compatibility issues with certain Linux distros on the LG Gram. I briefly tried running Mint Cinnamon from a USB and didn't notice any major issues, but I'd love to get some recommendations from folks who have experience with the Gram or similar hardware. What distro do you think would be best for me?
3 Answers
It sounds like your specs are solid for running Linux! Just a heads up, check your WiFi card model since that tends to be where most compatibility issues pop up, especially with older kernel versions. You can test your laptop’s compatibility by booting from a live USB and trying out the WiFi, Bluetooth, printer setup, browsing, audio, trackpad gestures, and touchscreen (if applicable). If everything works well, then go ahead and install it! Since you’ve already tested Mint for a bit, it seems like a good option. If you're keen on exploring more distros, just make sure you check their live environment first before committing to an install.
If Linux Mint worked fine for you in the live session, I’d stick with it! Just remember, the key is to test everything in the live environment before installing any new distro. If you decide to try something else, make sure all the hardware functionalities meet your needs first; that should keep you safe from any surprises post-install.
While I’m not too familiar with your exact laptop model, I can share that I primarily use Mint on older machines and Debian in my homelab. Fedora seems to have a stronger focus on newer hardware support, thanks to its more recent kernel and drivers. For sheer stability, Mint or Debian are great choices, but Fedora offers a nice blend of cutting-edge features and stability. I’m planning to give Fedora a shot soon myself, but I’ve had good experiences with both Mint Cinnamon and Mint XFCE. Just a note, I’ve noticed that sometimes the keyboard nationalization app can be a bit quirky on restart.
Definitely check out some other options too! Mint is user-friendly for newbies, but you could also consider Ubuntu and its various flavors, or even Fedora if you're looking for something more cutting-edge.