I'm considering making the switch from Windows 11 to Linux mainly because Windows 11 has been feeling a bit sluggish for basic tasks like browsing. I don't have any specific software that I need to use, and my laptop is mostly used for internet browsing, listening to music, and playing older games through Steam. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about any online games that use anti-cheat systems except for Path of Exile, which I believe works fine on Linux.
I have an older Razer Blade 15 from around 2018 with an i7-8750H, 16 GB of RAM, GeForce GTX 1060, and a 256 GB SSD. I read that Razer laptops might have compatibility issues with Linux, but those threads were a bit outdated. Since I'm new to Linux but fairly computer savvy, I'd love to know what Linux distribution would be the best fit for my needs and if there's anything else I should consider before making the switch.
5 Answers
I've had good experiences with Ubuntu, but I can't comment much on gaming. Just make sure to test the distro live before installing to catch any problems. My Broadcom NIC didn't have drivers, which was a hassle to deal with without internet access!
Linux Mint is great for new users because it offers a good user interface without needing much command line stuff. Since you're using an older machine, you won't have issues with kernel updates either. Stay away from CachyOS unless you’re ready to learn a lot, as it’s Arch-based and requires more technical know-how.
Just a heads up, make sure to disable secure boot first. Razer machines can be a bit tricky with Linux, especially with things like LED control. Some features might not work right away until you find the right setup for your distro.
Thanks for the tips! I don't care much about LED lighting, so as long as my hardware works well, I'm good!
For someone like you, I'd recommend trying an Ubuntu-based distro like Linux Mint or Zorin. They're super beginner-friendly and easy to set up. You won't need the latest drivers for your specs, so you can just boot from a live USB to test everything out first.
Thanks for this! I’m diving into both, and they seem pretty similar. I guess it comes down to personal preference?
I found Zorin really eased my switch from Windows. I currently run Zorin on my desktop and have enjoyed it, but I'd avoid the more hyped distros like CachyOS for now. Stick with a standard version for better support and documentation. All my games run fine on these distros!
Thanks! Seems like Mint or Zorin are the main recommendations. Looks like it’s a matter of personal preference between the two, huh?