I'm a university student studying geology and I'm considering switching my laptop from Windows to Linux. My laptop has an i7-13th gen CPU and 16GB of RAM, but no dedicated GPU. I often need to run programs like ArcGIS (or alternatives) for my studies, and I also do a lot of writing, typically using Microsoft Word. Although I'm aware there are Linux alternatives, I want something that fits my school and everyday needs. I have some Linux experience—I own a Steam Deck and have created a Minecraft server on an old laptop with Ubuntu, but I don't consider myself an expert. Most of my laptop use is for general tasks; I primarily game on my Steam Deck and stream content through web browsers or Linux apps. What's the best Linux distribution for my situation?
5 Answers
You really can't go wrong with Ubuntu or Fedora. They both offer a solid foundation for all types of work and have widespread support. If you want something more tailored for customization, Arch could be interesting, but it comes with a bit of a learning curve. Remember, you can dual boot as well if you need to use Windows for ArcGIS.
Based on your experience, I'd recommend any Ubuntu-based distro. Since you've already used Ubuntu before, it would be familiar and user-friendly for your schoolwork and everyday tasks.
Honestly, if you need to run ArcGIS, you might find it tough to completely ditch Windows. Some folks run a Windows VM in Linux for such applications, but that might require some setup. Have you checked out QGIS? More universities are starting to adopt it as an alternative for GIS work.
Welcome to the world of Linux! You're a good candidate, especially with your realistic expectations. You could try KDE for a customizable experience or stick with something like Ubuntu or Linux Mint for ease of use. You can always experiment with different desktop environments since Linux allows you to switch them without much hassle.
For your needs, both Ubuntu and Linux Mint would be great. They're beginner-friendly and stable for day-to-day tasks, plus they support LibreOffice, which can handle most of your writing needs! As for GIS, make sure to dig into QGIS as an alternative to ArcGIS.
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