I'm trying to choose a Linux setup for an aging Samsung RV510 that has recurring graphics problems. I've tested Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Manjaro, EndeavourOS, CachyOS, and Mint. Ubuntu felt too limited for customization, Debian gave me package and version-compatibility problems, and Arch-based systems have either broken or produced inconsistent results. I liked Mint, but I experienced random kernel panics with a frozen screen and blinking Caps Lock light. I'm also unsure which desktop environment to use. I like i3, but sometimes I need a more traditional full desktop. KDE feels laggy and I dislike its design, while Cinnamon or XFCE might be better options. I've only been using Linux for about a year, so I'm still learning and would appreciate practical advice on choosing a stable distribution and lightweight desktop.
4 Answers
The hardware is quite old, so I’d prioritize diagnosing the freezes over distro-hopping. Check temperatures, run a memory test, and investigate the graphics driver and kernel version. A lightweight edition of Mint, particularly MATE, could be a comfortable choice for that machine. XFCE would also be a good fit. The blinking Caps Lock light usually indicates a serious kernel-level crash, so hardware or graphics-driver issues are worth checking carefully.
Debian is not especially limited in terms of available software; its repositories are quite large. The main difference is that stable Debian favors well-tested, older package versions. If you had trouble installing things, it may have been a repository, dependency, or version issue rather than a lack of packages. Mint is also based on Debian or Ubuntu components, but switching distributions won’t necessarily fix problems caused by the old hardware. Fedora is another major option you haven’t tried, though its newer software may be more demanding on an older graphics setup.
EndeavourOS is essentially Arch with a convenient installer, so it could be a good choice if you like the Arch ecosystem but don’t want to install everything manually. Fedora is also worth trying, especially the XFCE or Cinnamon editions. XFCE is lightweight, stable, and much more customizable than it looks by default. Cinnamon is another reasonable option, although neither currently offers Wayland support as broadly as some other desktops.
You may be changing distributions when the real issue is the desktop environment. You can install i3 alongside a traditional desktop such as GNOME, Cinnamon, or XFCE, then select whichever session you want at the login screen. If Manjaro is currently working, there’s no need to abandon it just because people criticize it. If you do want something outside the Arch family, Fedora, openSUSE, or Debian are sensible alternatives.
That makes sense. I hadn’t really considered keeping i3 and a full desktop installed together instead of treating them as separate choices.
Ubuntu also had trouble starting its installer on this computer, although an older release worked. That makes me suspect the hardware or newer graphics stack may be part of the problem.