I'm looking to switch from Windows to Linux on my used Asus Aspire E5-774 laptop. I want to install a distro that is light, easy to use, and won't cause me to accidentally brick my system since I have very limited experience with Linux. I've heard good things about Linux Mint, especially the XFCE version, because it seems user-friendly and similar to Windows. I also want to be able to play some games like Rain World, Ultrakill, Dead Cells, and Hollow Knight. My laptop specs are an Intel i3-7100 processor, 6 GB RAM, and Intel HD Graphics 620 with an Nvidia GeForce 940MX. Any recommendations for a distro that fits my needs?
4 Answers
If you want something focused on gaming, consider Pop!_OS. It's designed for gamers and has features like hybrid graphics support. It might be a bit more resource-heavy, but the experience is smooth once you get the hang of it.
Linux Mint, especially the XFCE version, is a great choice for beginners. It's lightweight and user-friendly, making it ideal for older hardware. You won't have to make many tweaks after installation, and it has excellent community support which is perfect for someone just starting out with Linux. Plus, it’ll handle basic tasks and gaming quite well!
Personally, I'd recommend openSUSE. It has a fantastic user interface and safety features like snapshots so you can revert if something goes wrong. It's beginner-friendly and versatile for both everyday use and gaming. Definitely worth considering!
I suggest trying out Ubuntu or its lightweight variants like Lubuntu or Xubuntu. They're both extremely user-friendly, have a large user base, and have extensive resources online to help you out. If you ever want to switch to something more advanced, you're familiar with a good base to start from.
Totally agree! Mint XFCE is very stable and easy to adapt to for Windows users. And if you're into gaming, most titles you mentioned will work fine under Proton!