Hey everyone! I'm a total beginner looking to switch from Windows to Linux, and I could use your advice. I've been trying to optimize my Windows setup for ages, but now I'm thinking about making the jump. I have an HP Pavilion Plus laptop with 32GB of RAM and integrated Intel graphics. I mainly use it for gaming on Steam (nothing needing anti-cheat), schoolwork, digital art, and I run a few game emulators (like Switch and PS2) and a local music server. I'm really interested in customizing my system and learning more about it. My cousin suggested EndeavourOS, but I'm hesitant since it's more terminal-focused and I'm just starting out. Should I play it safe with Linux Mint as a beginner or go for EndeavourOS? What are your thoughts on a good starter distro that allows for some customization? Thanks!
4 Answers
Mint is a solid choice for beginners. It has a more comfortable design for those transitioning from Windows, while EndeavourOS can be a bit tricky if you're not familiar with Linux.
You seem to have specific needs for gaming and digital art; Mint should work just fine for those. Plus, if you ever want to explore other distros later, you can always set up a virtual machine to test them out!
I definitely recommend starting with Linux Mint. It's much more user-friendly and will help you understand the basics of Linux without being overwhelming.
If you're leaning toward customization and you're okay with learning a bit, you could eventually try EndeavourOS. But for now, Mint will allow you to get your feet wet without feeling lost.
That's a good point! Start with Mint and then make the jump to something like Endeavour when you feel more confident.