I recently installed Linux Mint on an old laptop and I'm enjoying it, but I've heard a lot of chatter about how Pop! OS is better for Nvidia compatibility. I'm looking to switch my main PC from Windows 11 to a Linux distro that can get me as close to a gaming setup as possible. I use a Meta Quest 3 and rely on Virtual Desktop Streamer for all my VR needs. While ALVR works well for streaming games, I really want to stream my desktop like Virtual Desktop Streamer does. I run almost everything through my Quest 3.
Another issue I've faced is Mint's handling of multiple monitors; it seems to only clone the displays, which is far from ideal. I'm hoping someone can outline the key differences between Pop! OS and Mint, and suggest resources for configuring my Meta Quest 3 for desktop streaming and playing flatscreen games in a virtual environment. I've tried dual booting a couple of times but have run into issues, so I'm looking to fully commit to a Linux distro this weekend without dual booting. With dual GPUs for Blender, both Nvidia, I want to ensure I can do wireless VR streaming and access Steam VR. I feel like either Pop! OS or Ubuntu might be the way to go, but I'm uncertain about the desktop streaming capabilities and the multiple display situation. Any help would really mean a lot!
2 Answers
Man, I tried getting the Nvidia drivers to work on Mint, and it was a nightmare. Performance was abysmal, and after a lot of frustration, I considered just going back to Windows. Just throwing that out there in case you find similar issues with Mint.
Definitely! If you want to run games smoothly, you need a setup that plays nicely with Nvidia cards.
If you're migrating from Windows, the migration tips page is super helpful. It's got a lot of info and guides for making the transition smoother. Just make sure you avoid third-party repositories unless necessary and always verify your ISO downloads! Good luck with your switch, I'm rooting for you!
Thanks for the tips! I’ll definitely check out that migration page before I decide on anything.
You got it! Knowledge is power. Let me know if you run into any specific issues while transitioning!
Yeah, I've heard mixed results with Nvidia drivers on Mint. Might be worth trying Pop! OS just for the driver stability.