I'm transitioning to Linux after moving away from Windows 10 and 11 on my desktop and laptop. Currently, I'm using Mint Cinnamon, but I just found out it doesn't support HDR. While I don't mind for gaming, most of my media rips are 4K HDR files, which I want to enjoy fully.
I've been researching distros that support HDR and stumbled upon Wayland, which I gather is foundational, while Cinnamon runs on X11. I came across various options like KDE Plasma, Fedora, Ubuntu, and others, but the information out there seems outdated and conflicting about their HDR capabilities.
I'm feeling overwhelmed by all the choices! I'm after something lightweight that can handle Steam and Heroic Launcher while allowing me to use Plex for HDR video. I'm currently on an Nvidia RTX 2070, planning to upgrade to an AMD RX 9070 XT soon. It sounds like that switch might simplify things?
I chose Mint for its user-friendliness, but I worry about having to completely reset and set up again to explore a new environment. Any guidance would be super helpful! Thanks!
4 Answers
I’d suggest checking out Bazzite if HDR support is your priority. It’s designed with HDR in mind and seems like a good fit for gaming too. Plus, using KDE will help with your media needs since it’s optimized for modern graphics. You can also use VirtualBox for testing other distros without messing with your current setup, just in case you want to experiment later!
Don't stress too much about the 'lightweight' label—it's more about your desktop environment. KDE Plasma has great HDR support when paired with Wayland. Consider trying Fedora KDE edition; it has a good balance of features and stability. Just remember, it’s okay to take your time figuring things out! Switching distros can be daunting, but once you settle in, it can be rewarding.
For beginners looking to dive in, Bazzite and Nobara are great options. Fedora KDE is also solid if you feel like venturing into learning a bit more. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a distro with regular updates, especially with new hardware. You got this!
Wayland is indeed where it’s at for HDR, and it seems a lot of the newer distros like Fedora and Ubuntu are heading that way. If you’re an artist, using something with KDE would be beneficial, especially if you work with tablets. I’d suggest waiting for your AMD upgrade since they generally have better out-of-the-box support with Linux.
Exactly! And since you’re upgrading soon, it might be easier to pick a distro that works well with the AMD setup right from the start.
Agreed! If the OP wants to go the virtualization route, that’s a smart way to play around without committing to a full install.