In 2025, I'm finally ready to switch from Windows to Linux, especially since Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10. I'm frustrated with the ads and complexities in Windows, which is made worse by my recent activation code becoming invalid. I'm looking for recommendations on a daily driver Linux distro that will suit my needs.
**What I Need in a Distro:**
1. **Easy to Use**: I want something that just works out of the box without constant troubleshooting.
2. **Stable After Updates**: I don't want my system breaking after updates like I experienced with my hackintosh.
3. **Good Compatibility**: I don't have the latest hardware, but I still want my distro to work with the current technology.
4. **User-Friendly GUI**: I prefer a graphical interface rather than relying heavily on the command line.
5. **Active Community**: I want a distro that will be supported for a long time.
6. **Potential Customizability**: I'm okay with some initial setup and customization as long as I can forget about it afterward.
**My Background:**
I've tried Zorin OS, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint, with Linux Mint being my favorite due to its stability. I'm also curious about Bazzite OS, but I want to explore other options too.
**What I'll Use It For:**
1. Internet browsing and watching videos
2. Photo and image editing using Krita and GIMP
3. Video editing with Davinci Resolve
4. Using Discord and video chatting
5. Gaming (with a focus on compatibility for some titles)
6. Possibly music production in the future, but that's less of a priority for me.
Any suggestions for a Linux distro that might fit my needs well? Or should I just stick with Linux Mint or LMDE?
1 Answer
Honestly, I'd recommend sticking with Linux Mint. It's super user-friendly and I've had a great experience installing it on non-technical friends' computers. You didn't mention your hardware specs, so it's hard to say how well everything will run, but it generally handles most tasks smoothly.
I should clarify! I have an i7 8700 with 16GB RAM and an RX 580 GPU, plus another PC with an i5 11500, 32GB RAM, and an RX 6800. Thanks for the input!