Hey everyone! I'm looking to switch my dual-boot setup of Windows + Linux Mint, and I'm considering going with either Pop!_OS or Fedora. I've done some tweaks to Mint, but I feel like I've just been following tutorials without truly understanding things, so I'm ready for a fresh start. As a software developer and machine learning engineer with a hobby in bug bounty hunting, I want a distro that will suit my development needs. Here are a few specific things I'm curious about:
* How do both distros manage resource usage and battery life, especially with tools like TLP?
* What's the best way to remove Mint and install either Pop!_OS or Fedora in its place? Do I need to worry about bootloader issues?
* I've heard that Pop!_OS is based on 22.04 and that it's not worth switching until 24.04 comes out. Is that a big deal? How easy will the upgrade be from 22.04 to 24.04?
* I know Fedora is good for driver installation and has a newer kernel. Will it handle automatic GPU switching for my hybrid setup, or will I need to run commands every time?
* How do I properly remove Mint and get a fresh install of either OS? Does the bootloader change need my attention since Pop!_OS has a different one?
3 Answers
Why not consider using Fedora's Cosmic desktop? It offers the latest DE from Pop!_OS while maintaining Fedora's stability. This way, you can benefit from both worlds! If you're worried about the installation process, there are options for preconfigured spins that come with multiple DEs. Just ensure you check the compatibility with your hybrid GPU beforehand!
I’d say go with Fedora! It’s being actively developed, so you’ll get the latest features and updates. The battery performance is similar between the two, but you may have to tweak a bit for better battery life. To switch over, just boot from a Fedora live USB, delete the Mint partitions using a Partition Manager, and use that space for Fedora. Just remember to configure GRUB so it detects your Windows installation! For Pop!_OS, the upgrade to 24.04 from 22.04 should be pretty straightforward, but keep in mind that ongoing support is focused on their new Cosmic Desktop, which might affect current updates.
Thanks for the insights! Sounds like Fedora is a solid choice.
Pop!_OS is nice, but it's in a bit of a transition phase. If you want something stable and up-to-date, Fedora is the way to go. For GPU management, you’ll need to type some commands to switch between GPUs, unfortunately. Just like with the battery usage, there’s no major difference, but with Fedora, you’d be getting kernel updates more frequently. As for installing, make sure to back up any important data and follow standard procedures for erasing Mint—it's mostly straightforward, and the bootloader will take care of itself after installation.
Cool, I appreciate the clarification. I'm looking for stability since I'm focused on development.
I didn’t know there was such a spin for Fedora! I’ll definitely explore that option.