I'm looking to switch up my Linux distribution on my Lenovo IdeaPad 1st Gen 7 15ALC7. Currently, I'm running Manjaro with KDE, but I've been testing out GNOME and I like it! Now, I'm deciding between Fedora and EndeavourOS, as I want a distribution that comes with GNOME right out of the box. I need this laptop for everyday tasks and light gaming, like Minecraft and Counterstrike, so I'm after a good balance of performance and stability. I'm leaning towards Fedora, but I prefer using Pacman and I'm not a fan of DNF. I've heard I could install Pacman on Fedora, but that feels a bit off. Also, if I do choose Fedora, is it wise to install the CachyOS kernel since it's not based on Arch? Here are my laptop specs: Ryzen 7 5700u, Radeon RX Vega 8, and 16GB DDR4 3200.
4 Answers
If true stability is what you're after, Debian could be an option, but since you’re already comfortable with Arch, I’d suggest either sticking with Manjaro or going for CachyOS or EndeavourOS, both of which come with GNOME. They’re pretty stable too!
Installing a different package manager like Pacman on Fedora isn't really a good move; it could lead to dependency issues. As for CachyOS, while I’m not an expert, Fedora does allow for kernel swaps. You'll probably have to fiddle with some of the kernel configurations to make it work, but it’s definitely doable if you're willing to learn!
Honestly, I'd say go with CachyOS! It’s been the most stable for me overall, and since you're considering its kernel anyway, it makes sense.
Does CachyOS actually have GNOME available? I only saw KDE and a handheld version on the site.
You can definitely install GNOME on any distro you like! Regarding the CachyOS kernel, it should work with Fedora since you can swap kernels easily there. But if you really dislike DNF, you might want to stick with Arch-based distros instead of switching package managers. And remember, you don't have to dive into a whole new distro - you could simply uninstall KDE and keep using GNOME on Manjaro if you're happy with it!
I was planning to reinstall anyway to speed things up, but is Fedora + GNOME more stable than an Arch-based distro with GNOME?
I thought about reinstalling, but I've heard mixed reviews about Manjaro. I tested it just to see how it would go, and I've been keeping it because I’ve been busy with school.