CachyOS or Linux Mint: Which is Better for Linux Beginners?

I’d recommend going with Linux Mint if you’re just starting out. It’s beginner-friendly and you won’t have to deal with as many issues right off the bat. While CachyOS is great for performance, it does require more tinkering, which might be overwhelming for a new user. Plus, since you’re gaming, sticking with a stable distro like Mint could make your experience smoother. If you want to try Cachy later, you can always switch once you feel more comfortable!

I'd suggest you consider Bazzite instead. It's Fedora-based and designed to support gaming out of the box with fewer headaches. Although CachyOS is fun for those who like to get hands-on, it might be a bit much for someone new to Linux. Bazzite has a good app store and you can set it up really quickly, plus it manages to be user-friendly for newcomers.

I've had good experiences with Linux Mint; it's user-friendly and has a great community for help if you run into issues. For transferring files, you won’t have a problem with documents and media, but for apps like games, you’ll need to check if they have Linux versions or if Wine would allow them to run. A dual boot setup is a smart move; it gives you the best of both worlds while you get used to things.

I'd say give CachyOS a shot if you’re curious and ready to learn. It has a steeper learning curve but can offer a more rewarding experience once you get past the initial setup. Alternatively, if you're worried about troubleshooting, stick with Mint for now; it’s stable and will allow you to familiarize yourself with Linux without too many bumps in the road.

Honestly, both Mint and CachyOS have their pros and cons. If ease of use is your priority, definitely Mint. But don't dismiss Arch-based distros if you want to eventually dive deeper into Linux. Just remember, you'll likely have to reinstall most applications when switching since Linux doesn't natively run Windows software. Files are easy to transfer, but apps will require some work. You might want to consider testing both via live USB before making a decision.