Hey everyone, I'm looking for advice on which Linux distribution to use for my embedded development work. I've been using Pop!_OS for about 3-4 years now on my main laptop, and I've also tried Fedora on my secondary laptop. I found Pop!_OS to be reliable, but it hasn't received updates lately, and I'm eager to try out new features in GNOME 47. My main machine is an Asus Zenbook Pro Duo with an i9 processor and 32GB of RAM, while my secondary machine is a Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6, which I'll be using on the go.
I mainly work with VS Code, STM32 Cube IDE, KiCAD, and a few other tools for embedded development. Stability is crucial for me, especially since I sometimes compile Linux images for single-board computers. Given all this, I'm looking for distro suggestions besides Pop!_OS and Fedora. Any recommendations?
2 Answers
If you're looking for stability for embedded development, I highly recommend Debian Stable. It's rock-solid for things like cross-compiling SBC images, and it handles the STM32 Cube IDE better than Fedora does since you'll find its .deb packages work more smoothly. Plus, you can use the Backports repository to selectively update packages when needed.
If you're interested in something that's a bit more user-friendly, you might want to give Ubuntu 24.04 LTS a shot. It's based on Debian, offers two years of support, and has good integration for STM32 and VS Code. It might be less of a hassle for your work while traveling.
Lastly, if you're not a fan of Snaps, consider Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE 6). It maintains Debian's stability while providing a more accessible Cinnamon desktop and runs great on ThinkPads. I'd avoid rolling-release options like Fedora or Arch, as they can lead to issues with your embedded toolchains.
I've had enough experience with Ubuntu to not prefer it, but thanks for confirming those options! I'm leaning towards Debian. Heard mixed things about Linux Mint though; might try that if Debian doesn't fit my workflow.
You could consider sticking with Fedora or trying EndeavourOS. They have a solid community and good support, but just beware they can be a bit less stable for embedded development, which is crucial for your work.
Quick question, does Debian support the same key bindings as Pop!_OS with GNOME? I really enjoyed Hyperland for productivity but I've read it’s unstable on Debian. Any alternatives you'd suggest?