I'm planning to install Linux on a second SSD with the hope of eventually moving away from Windows completely, though I can't say when that will happen. Currently, I use my computer for various tasks like gaming (mostly Age of Empires II DE through Steam), media consumption, family accounting using Microsoft 365 and OneDrive, and music recording with Audacity. I'm also concerned about compatibility with my existing peripherals and certain applications. I've narrowed down my options but I'm overwhelmed by the sheer number of Linux distributions available. I'm leaning towards more established distributions for better support and stability. Should I go for Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, CachyOS, or Bazzite? And which desktop environment should I choose - Gnome or KDE? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
I installed CachyOS on my second SSD a couple months ago, and honestly, I haven’t looked back at Windows. Most games work through Steam with Proton and I have a great media experience with VLC. Sure, Office won’t run natively, but you can use Office 365 in a browser. Just choose the distro you like best and test it out!
Check out Nobara! I've been using it daily for over a year, and I think it's a great option for beginners. It’s stable and very user-friendly. Just keep in mind it’s a one-person project, which could be a potential risk long-term.
Is it a problem that Nobara is managed by just one person? What happens if they stop working on it?
I'd say go for Ubuntu! You can install Steam without needing to switch back to Windows. Plus, many issues have plenty of solutions available online due to its popularity. You can also use OpenOffice or LibreOffice while you adapt to Linux. Just keep your Windows drive separate, which is smart! Gnome is definitely the more polished environment compared to KDE, but both have their perks.
Which version of Ubuntu should I choose, 25.10 or 24.10 LTS?
After trying various distros like Mint and Fedora, I’ve settled on Bazzite for a while now. It's been the most reliable for gaming overall, especially since it has direct access to the AUR. Just install whatever suits you best and feel free to experiment—you can always switch later!
How likely is Bazzite to stay relevant, especially with SteamOS potentially evolving in the next few years?
I would recommend trying Fedora Workstation with Gnome. It's stable and doesn’t get in the way, plus it has solid hardware support. Regular updates make sure everything runs smoothly. If you want something that feels familiar, Ubuntu is also a great option!
I second that! Ubuntu LTS is fantastic if you prefer not to deal with constant updates. Plus, you can switch from Gnome to KDE easily later on.
What's AUR, by the way?